Pine bark for orchids - selection of bark and additives, processing before planting

You can often read that orchids are unpretentious houseplants. But in my experience this is not the case - they require special care rules. The first difficulty is special watering, but having mastered this technique, after a while I was faced with a new question: how to transplant orchids correctly?

The first thing that catches your eye is the unusual soil, a special bark substrate for orchids and other additives. In this article I will tell you in more detail what this mixture should consist of for plant health and what to look for when buying and harvesting it yourself.

Substrate composition

When planting orchids, use a purchased substrate (biomixture).

Often stale soil is found in stores, the qualities of which have suffered over time. Decorative flowers are not planted in it: this threatens with drying out or rotting of the roots.

Florists who have been growing orchids at home for a long time prepare the mixture with their own hands using the following components:

• pine wood;
• sphagnum (freshly harvested marsh moss);
• crushed activated carbon;
• Pine cones.

Self-mixed soil from the listed components is used for growing at home varieties of phalaenopsis, dendrobium and their hybrids. They feed only on aerial roots and do not require fertile deciduous soil as part of the soil. The primer is suitable for exotic flowers in open and closed systems.

Not only pine bark can be used for orchids. Birch bark, oak or spruce wood are suitable, but delamination is rare in trees. The fallen bark of larch, thuja and cypress is often used in the preparation of store mixes.

Wood forms an inert and breathable base of the soil. Thanks to phytoncides, parasites do not start in the substrate. Cones are an auxiliary part of the soil, but they are not always used. The scales are separated from each other, kept for 5-7 minutes. in hot water, dried and added to the mixture.

Sphagnum absorbs and retains water well, maintains the integrity of the soil mixture. Activated carbon serves a direct purpose. The component draws toxic substances from soil and water.

Peat is also added to the substrate for young plants: they require an increased content of nutrients. Some varieties require perlite, broken brick and river sand.

General information

The substrate for growing indoor orchids is completely different from the usual planting soil for most indoor plants. This feature of the substrate is explained by the origin of this wondrous plant, as well as by the natural growing conditions of all types of herbaceous plants belonging to orchids.

The most affordable planting soil for indoor orchids is represented by ordinary pine bark. But the indicators of such a substrate may be different, and the main composition of such a mixture largely depends on several nuances, including the type of plant, as well as natural and climatic conditions in places of natural or natural growth. At all stages of the independent production of a planting substrate based on the bark, it is necessary to follow the instructions, as well as take into account some important nuances and points:

• Soil for indoor orchids of the Phalaenopsis species must necessarily contain high-quality deciduous or fresh pine bark.
• Indoor orchids grow beautifully on pine, as well as spruce, birch and oak bark.
• The bark is very important in mixing the planting substrate, not only for growing an orchid, but also for laying out the top surface of a flowerpot for decorative purposes.

For indoor orchids, which largely require the use of the bark of the coarse fraction, it is advisable to collect it yourself or acquire a dense bark. This material will then be cut into cubes of the required size.

• If a decision is made to purchase a ready-made planting soil in the form of a substrate for growing indoor orchids, then its qualitative composition must be studied as carefully as possible in a flower shop.
• For indoor orchid plants that require enhanced nutrition, mixtures that necessarily include coal, peat and pine bark with the addition of high-quality leafy earth are best suited.
• For indoor orchids, the bark from deciduous trees is not used, which is mainly due to its inaccessibility and insufficiently high quality characteristics.

Which wood is suitable

Not every pine bark is a good substrate for orchids. Florists recommend collecting bark only from felled or dried pines.

Resin is contained in the wood of living pine in high concentrations. This component is not suitable for phalaenopsis. Dead parts are more difficult to remove from the trunk, but they are practically devoid of resinous substances.

It is allowed to use wood if it meets the requirements:

• breaks easily in hands: this indicates a small amount of resins;
• has a uniform color without burnt spots;
• has a homogeneous structure without rotten or rotten areas.

Oak or other softwood must also meet the requirements.

It is recommended to cut or break off only the top layer of the bark. All areas with a burnt out color (darkened), rotten structure are removed from the material. Rotten material is not used at all, putrefactive bacteria quickly spread in the wood and harm the plant for which it serves as a substrate. Dust and insects are immediately removed from the collected material.

Where to find the right material

The pine bark used to create the substrate must be taken from a dead or fallen tree. Removing the bark from a live pine tree may be more convenient, but it doesn't make sense. Only the dead parts are well enough processed by time, weather and insects to be of interest as starting material. In addition, dead pine contains significantly less resinous fractions, which orchids do not like so much. Procurement of material can be carried out in at least two ways:

A pleasant walk around the city, park, reserve can be combined with the search for dead fragments of pine bark. Stumps, fallen or dead trees will do.

Requirements for the source material for the preparation of the substrate with your own hands:

• The bark should contain as little resin as possible. Top layers work best, as they break easily in the hands.
• There should be no dark, sunburned areas. If there are darkened layers on the fragments, they should be carefully removed.

Where to find and how to collect the substrate

Preparing the bark for planting orchids begins with finding the right raw material. Pine wood is harvested in a pine forest, planting, in the park.The collection point should be far from busy highways, chemical, metallurgical, oil refineries. The bark is cut with a sharp penknife from fallen trees or stumps.

Sphagnum is harvested in the forest in low-lying wet areas, there is also moss near water bodies. Only fresh and green plants are harvested.

The substrate is easy to find at the sawmill. You don't even have to collect it there. The top dry layers fall off the trunk on their own during sawing or other processing. The material is also inspected for compliance.

Feedback

Ekaterina Veniaminovna (Red Glades, Moscow Region)

Children gave me an orchid for my anniversary. For two years it grew normally, and then the leaves began to turn yellow. It turned out that you need to transplant. We have nowhere to buy substrate, so I dried the pine bark and added charcoal. After planting, nothing happened with the orchid, and I thought that the local bark did not suit her. But, after a month, young leaves began to grow, two at once. It means that it has taken root, my beauty.

For planting orchids, tree bark or a substrate based on it is often used. This material is excellent for growing epiphytes. An important condition is competent preparation of the substance.

Carelessness, inattention are fraught with rapid soil compaction, which will make it unusable. There is a danger:

Let's find out which bark is suitable for orchids: which one is needed and how to prepare it for transplantation.

How to properly prepare the substrate

Do-it-yourself preparation of the bark for orchids includes the rejection of low-quality material, additional drying and heat treatment. During drying and heat treatment, adult parasites, larvae and eggs die in the material.

An oven is used for thermal drying. It is heated to 120 ° C, the wood is left for 5-10 minutes. The biomaterial is recommended to be cooked when preparing a mixture at home. Before boiling, the wood is crushed. Small pieces are easier to boil and dry faster, the effect of this procedure is better.

Heat treatment of pine bark for orchids is carried out in galvanized buckets. The material is placed on the bottom and pressed down with something heavy. The bucket is not filled to the top with liquid. The distance from the water surface to the edges of the bucket should be 5-10 cm. The chopped wood is boiled over low heat for an hour. Then they allow the liquid to cool, and the resinous carbon deposits are removed from the warm bucket (dry resin is difficult to scrape off). The contents of the bucket are poured into a colander, the moisture gradually drains away. This does not end with the processing of the substrate.

Dried bark for orchids with your own hands is crushed with a disinfected sharp knife. For young seedlings, the parameters of the fractions are 1: 1 cm, for adults - 1: 1.5 cm. The chopped pieces are kneaded with your fingers so that the edges become less sharp.

For drying, the substrate is divided into several piles, folded in thin paper bags to protect it from dust and insects. If white mold develops on pine wood during storage, it is not required to reanimate the material by boiling. Plants in the wild enter into symbiosis with fungi.

Sphagnum is also required to prepare for planting and transplanting plants. It is recommended to soak it in clean water with the addition of a few potassium permanganate granules.

Pine wood is suitable for long-term storage for 2-3 years. It is recommended to prepare it in advance for transplanting young plants, which is carried out annually.

How to plant?

Preparatory activities

For a successful orchid planting, it is important to prepare the following materials and tools:

1. Pot. It must be transparent and of sufficient diameter. Pre-disinfect the container with boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Sharp garden knife.
3. Prepared soil. Disinfect and dry it.
4. Expanded clay or fine gravel for the drainage layer.
5. Activated carbon for root cutting.
6. Insecticide solution for treating parasitic roots.

Root inspection

Once the root system has been removed from the old pot, wash it thoroughly under running water. After rinsing, inspect the roots for insects, rot, and other symptoms. Remove dry and rotten roots with a secateurs.

All cut points must be treated with activated carbon powder before being used for planting. If traces of parasites were found on the roots, then soak them in an insecticide solution for half an hour, and then dry them with a soft towel. The result of the actions taken will be elastic green or gray-green roots.

Planting a plant in a pot

Landing operations are carried out according to the following plan:

1. Place a drainage layer in a disinfected pot. Its thickness is 2-2.5 cm.
2. Add a new substrate on top of the drain.
3. Place an orchid in a container, arrange its roots evenly throughout the volume. The base of the orchid should be 1-1.5 cm below the edge of the pot.
4. Install the support for the peduncle at this stage, before the substrate is filled up. This will prevent root trauma. Place the support close to the base of the flower.
5. Add the soil gradually, gently shaking the pot. Then the bark particles will fill the space between the roots.

Florists will love the following orchid articles:

• soil for a plant;
• growing in ordinary land;
• optimal soil composition;
• growing orchids without soil;
• choosing a substrate and preparing it yourself.

Planting a plant

It is not enough to prepare the bark for orchids, you need to properly plant the plant and take care of it at home. For flowers, use transparent pots with a large number of holes in the bottom (open system) or glass containers, narrowed at the bottom and widened at the top. Before transplanting the plant, the container is treated with a weakly colored solution of potassium permanganate.

Planting stages:

• the bottom of the pot is covered with drainage a quarter of the height (expanded clay, brick chips are suitable);
• put the plant in a pot;
• carefully cover the orchid with the prepared substrate, the largest fragments of wood are placed in the lower layers.

The plant should stick tightly to the substrate, not wobble.

In care, tropical plants are not capricious. They are sprayed with clean water 2-3 times a week, watered once a week. Top dressing is applied only in summer. Transplanting the plant during flowering is prohibited.

Features of soil for orchids

An orchid growing in a rainforest in its natural environment uses tree trunks or crevices in stones for support. From there, it extracts nutrients with its roots, and absorbs moisture from the air. Part of the root system is hidden in folds on the bark of trees, others remain in the air. In addition to nutrients and water, the plant requires air, since the processes of photosynthesis are carried out by leaves and roots.

A suitable soil allows air to pass through well and maintains the desired moisture level. Therefore, when growing at home, the Phalaenopsis orchid is placed in a special substrate, the main element of which is tree bark. It is lightweight, moisture and air permeable. Due to its composition, natural bark is a good source of nutrients. It promotes the growth and proper development of the flower, prolongs the flowering period.

How to choose material

Bark is a generalized term for a complex of tissues of various structures and origins that covers the cambium of stems and roots. For planting orchid plants, you can use bark from large tree species, it is permissible to use raw materials in their pure form or prepare a mixture based on it.The bark not only structures the substrate, it retains moisture, nourishes the plant with all the elements necessary for normal development and abundant flowering.
Raw materials can be found in plantings, forests, in urban park areas, and sometimes on their own plot, especially those who have old conifers growing nearby. It is best to harvest the upper layers of bark that have peeled off from the trunk, they break more easily, and contain a minimum amount of resin. It is undesirable to collect sun-burnt, rotten, insect-worn and darkened areas.

In the process of harvesting, it is necessary to ensure that there are no bast fibers on the separated fragments, they cannot be used when planting orchid plants due to their rigid structure. Small pieces of wood can cut into the root and cause rotting. The collected raw materials must be cleaned of insects, dirt and loose layers. The bark of which tree species is more suitable for orchids is described in the table.

When collecting material, a thorough assessment of the condition of the tree must be carried out; it must not be rotten or have obvious signs of disease. The collected material will easily crumble, and can also become a source of infections and harmful insects that are dangerous for the orchid. It is permissible to take raw materials from a felled or dry tree. Over time, nutrients accumulate in the fibers, there is practically no resin left in them. Residents of the European part can use oak bark for planting orchids, it is more nutritious than pine.

How to use treated bark for planting (transplanting) orchids

If the treated bark has not been crushed in advance, then this should be done immediately before planting. It is best to cut it while it is still damp so it is easier to handle.

The size of the pieces for the orchid substrate depends on the age of the transplanted plants:

• for offshoots-children, a mixture is prepared in which the pieces are 1 x 1 cm in size;
• for adult plants, fragments are 3-5 cm.

Rubric: "Question - answer"

Question number 1... Pines do not grow in our area, is it possible to use another bark for orchids, for example, spruce?

Of course you can. The main thing is that it is not rotten, free of diseases and pests, and in good condition.

Top substrate manufacturers

It is not difficult to prepare the bark on your own, however, some growers prefer to use an industrial substrate (with a complex of additional components). You can save time on collection and processing, but there is no guarantee that the store will have quality material without pests and pathogens. Unreasonable savings when choosing a purchased mixture threatens with the loss of a flower.
For those who do not have nearby plantings, forests, parks or woodworking industries, there is only one option, choose a ready-made substrate. But how to do this when there are many options and there is no way to get detailed, reliable advice. In order not to risk it, you need to buy mixtures from reliable firms verified by flower growers, we will describe the products of several of them.

The main manipulation in the industrial processing of bark is debarking, during which the raw material is crushed, sand and other excess components are removed from it. The manipulation is carried out on large debarkers OK-66M and OK63-1. In the process of processing, the product becomes fresher, more breathable, its quality is doubled. After debarking, disinfection and other procedures are carried out.

DIY or store purchase?

It will not be possible to answer this question unequivocally. On the one hand, it is better to buy ready-made material. As a rule, a ready-made substrate is commercially available, which contains bark and other useful components. Thus, you can save time for processing, preparation and preparation of the substrate.

On the other hand, it's better to start cooking the bark yourself. Then the florist will be completely sure of its quality. It is the second option that most often finds its application. After all, it is better to spend a little time to then admire the beauty of the flower.

If there is a forest or park near the house, then there is no need to buy bark, since there is an option for harvesting it yourself. If this is not possible, then it is worth contacting the city's woodworking enterprise and find out if they have waste in the form of pine bark. An extreme case is going out of town, where you can combine business with pleasure - to relax and prepare raw materials.

Preparing the bark for orchids

To collect and cut the material, you will need a pruner or knife (for wood) with an oblique blade, a wooden spatula with blunt ends, and a rope with which you can tie the bark. For cooking, you can prepare a stainless steel bucket or any unnecessary utensils, since after the material has been digested, it will be unsuitable for use at home. How to properly remove from a tree and grind the bark:

1. The dry fragment should be pry off with a spatula so that it can easily be torn off (from top to bottom), gently separate it from the wood.
2. The whole plate must be cleaned of debris, the inner layer must be scraped off a little.
3. Cut the material into medium-sized pieces, remove some of the upper layer of fibers from them.
4. All rotten elements and those affected by insects must be thrown away.

Now you can cut the bark into fractions with sides of 2 cm, it is not necessary to make them even, this will not affect the quality of the future substrate. Pieces can be made larger or smaller (for different purposes). For example, for growing an adult orchid, fractions ranging in size from 2 to 5 cm are suitable, and for planting small seedlings or transplanting children, a bark of a fine fraction (from 5 mm to 1.5 cm) is needed.

Digestion and drying

To remove the remnants of dirt, sand, harmful microorganisms and insect larvae, the cut raw materials must be poured into a container prepared for cooking, completely filled with water (leave the sides 5 cm each). In the process of boiling, the raw material floats up, it needs to be pressed down with something. When the water boils, the bucket or pan should be covered with a lid, reduce the heat, cook for an hour.After cooking, it is advisable to completely cool the bark, then crush it a little with your hands, transfer to a colander, leave until all the water is gone.
Drying is recommended only in the fresh air; in rainy weather, the material can be left under a canopy, and in clear weather - spread out in a sunny place. The raw materials should be laid out in one layer on a dry, flat surface. Usually it takes about 3-4 weeks to dry, you can check by breaking one fragment (it must be dry inside). If all is well, the bark should be left outside for another day, then put away for storage.

To prepare oak bark, it is better to take it from the growth or immature shoots. On the selected branches, you need to make cuts (ring) at a distance of 25 cm, then cut the stem lengthwise so that the bark is easy to pry off and remove. The material is boiled for about 1, 5 hours, dried. The prepared material should be stored in small batches in a paper or in a loosely closed plastic bag so that air can enter inside. It is not scary if mold appears on individual elements of the workpiece; for orchids, molds are a natural symbiont.

How to prepare yourself?

Required tools

How to cook, for example, pine bark at home? To prepare pine bark yourself, you will need the following inventory:

• jamb knife - it is best to take 2 knives: one with a short handle, and the second with a long one;
• wooden spatula with non-sharp edges;
• twine to tie the bark.

How to prepare the material?

In this case, there are certain collection rules:

1. Fragments of the bark should not have dark and charcoal areas.
2. The bark should be as dry as possible.
3. When collecting material from a large barrel, it is best to tear it off from above.
4. Before you take the bark home, knock it on the ground. This will remove live insects.

Attention! The bark must be free of wood particles. If they are present, then they must be removed.

Shredding pieces

When preparing the bark for the substrate, its preliminary grinding is required.... Procedure:

1. 
   Take a large piece of bark wood, previously cleaned from dust.

2. Remove a small layer from the inside of the bark.
3. Using a pruning shear, cut the material into pieces of the size required by the technology.
4. Remove the top layer that peels off easily. Use a secateurs to cut off the rotten areas of the bark.
5. Carefully examine the bark and clean all the affected areas with insects.
6. Cut the raw material into cubes up to 2 cm. In the process of cutting the bark, even and neat cubes are not always obtained, but this does not in any way affect the growth and development of the orchid.
7. Slicing ends with sorting.

Correct boiling

Digestion of the bark is carried out by boiling to disinfect it. In this way, not only microorganisms can be removed, but also resin residues. A galvanized bucket is required for these activities. Procedure:

1. Place pieces of raw material on the bottom of the bucket and pour cold water (10 l).
2. During the boiling process, the bark will float. To prevent this from happening, press it down with a stone or brick.
3. How much do you need to cook pine or spruce bark like this? Boiling lasts for 1 hour.
4. After the specified time has passed, remove the bucket from the heat and wait until the water has cooled.
5. Drain the water through a colander and wait until the bark is well drained.

Competent drying

Drying of the bark must take place naturally. Put it on a dry surface and leave for 3-4 weeks. You can check the dryness of the material by breaking it. If the bark is dry inside, then leave it to lie down for another day in a well-ventilated area.

Adding additional components

In the manufacture of a nutrient substrate, the following components are used:

• tree bark;
• sphagnum marsh moss;
• peat;
• charcoal.

All specified components should be taken in equal proportions. Stir them thoroughly and the nutrient mixture is ready.Before laying it in a flowerpot, it is required to lay the drainage at the bottom. The resulting substrate has excellent breathability, moisture retention and is suitable for growing beautiful, graceful orchids.

Attention! You can store bark-based soil in plastic bags. Only do not cover them tightly, otherwise ventilation can be disrupted.

Technology of planting and growing orchids

If there is no peat in the substrate, the ingredients should be mixed right when planting or transplanting a flower. The bark must be additionally soaked in a nutrient solution. A special fertilizer for orchid plants is diluted in water, and half of the product is taken from the norm indicated on the package. The bark is dipped in a solution for 2 or 3 hours, then thrown back in a colander, used after the moisture has drained off. How to plant or transplant a flower:

1. In a thoroughly cleaned and disinfected container, you need to put a layer of drainage (2-3 cm), pour a little substrate.
2. The orchid should be placed in the pot in such a way that the roots are evenly distributed throughout the container, and the base of the rosette is 1 cm below the top edge.
3. It is recommended to add the soil a little, periodically shake the pot to shrink and distribute large fragments between the roots.

An orchid can not be planted in a substrate, but made of large pieces of bark a block, and a flower can be fixed on it. A little sphagnum should be laid on the blocks, the orchid should be pressed against it, secured with soft wire or fishing line. You can water the flower only by immersion, the container should be placed in a bowl of water for half an hour, then let it drain off excess moisture, return the container to its original place. Watering should be done every 7–20 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions; it is permissible to use only settled water at room temperature.
When planting, problems rarely arise, most often they appear later, due to improper care. Root decay is observed with excessive moisture. You can save the plant by normalizing watering. The reason for the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves may be the location of the orchid on a sunny windowsill. There will be no burns if the containers are placed on the east side. Often the flower stops growing due to planting in a non-disinfected container or substrate, in which case a transplant will be required.

To prepare the bark for orchids, you do not need to have special skills, it is enough to follow simple recommendations and not neglect the details. For planting a flower, it is permissible to use only boiled bark, if it is not disinfected, the risk of developing dangerous diseases increases. It is necessary to transplant a flower carefully and carefully, then there will be no difficulties and troubles. The bark contains nutrients, retains moisture well and promotes the active growth of epiphytes.

For planting orchids, tree bark or a substrate based on it is often used. This material is excellent for growing epiphytes. An important condition is
competent preparation of the substance.
Carelessness, inattention are fraught with rapid soil compaction, which will make it unusable. There is a danger:

Let's find out which bark is suitable for orchids: which one is needed and how to prepare it for transplantation.

How to collect the mixture

DIY orchid soil can include:

• dried pieces of pine bark;
• fresh marsh moss (sphagnum);
• Activated carbon:
• scales of pine cones (they are separated, poured with boiling water for 5 minutes and dried).

Scales are not necessary for use, bark, moss and coal are enough. Store-bought moss will be dry and brownish in color. You can pick fresh green moss yourself. It grows in any lowlands or wetlands.

You need to look for moss away from the roads, next to a reservoir where there are stones and tall greenery. The collected moss is cleaned of litter, bugs, twigs and poured with warm (not hot!) Water for about fifteen minutes.During this time, the remaining insects will float up, they can be carefully drained along with the water. The workpiece is washed under running water and the moss is allowed to drain. Thus, you can prepare a living natural antiseptic with your own hands.

Before mixing the soil, the moss must be chopped with scissors, and the activated carbon must be crushed. For an 8-9-liter container with bark, a half-kilogram package of chopped dry moss (or more) and 30 tablets of activated carbon are enough.

The ingredients are thoroughly mixed and laid out in bags if the mixture, prepared by hand, is intended for storage. During transplantation, it is recommended to select whole large pieces from the old substrate and mix them into the new mixture. This will allow the fungi to which the plant is accustomed to transfer to the new soil.

Soil for Phalaenopsis orchids, prepared by hand, may contain not only pine, but also high-quality deciduous bark (spruce, oak, birch). But finding good deciduous material on your own is quite difficult - deciduous trees with peeling bark are rare in nature. Therefore, most often experts opt for pine. In addition, the rate of decomposition of the pine bark is low and allows replanting the orchid every two to three years.

For young seedlings, use a finely crushed mixture, prepared by hand, it is easier to fix a small plant with it. For orchids that require enhanced nutrition, peat is additionally added to the mixture. Some varieties of orchids require the addition of perlite, broken brick, expanded clay, coarse sand.

A reliable soil for transplanting orchids must be chemically and biologically inert, have good air permeability and at the same time perfectly retain moisture. A self-prepared substrate, in compliance with all the rules for harvesting, processing and storage, will serve as a reliable basis for growing healthy and beautiful orchids of various types.

For planting orchids, tree bark or a substrate based on it is often used. This material is excellent for growing epiphytes. An important condition is competent preparation of the substance.

Carelessness, inattention are fraught with rapid soil compaction, which will make it unusable. There is a danger:

Let's find out which bark is suitable for orchids: which one is needed and how to prepare it for transplantation.

Orchid bark

Description

What kind of bark is needed for an orchid? Bark is called all layers of wood tissuethat are located on the outside of the cadmium side. Bast fibers are not included in its composition. Such parts of the tree for floriculture are not harvested or used.

For orchids, pine bark is most often used.

In floriculture, mulch is used as the basis of the substrate, blocks are made from large pieces, on them grow orchids without a substrate.

Suitable material can be found in a forest or park. First of all, it is worth visiting those areas where mature conifers grow.

Which bark is suitable for growing an orchid? Experts recommend using for growing orchids softwood raw materials... We have a pine, less often a spruce.

Which tree bark is suitable for an orchid? Pine is more popular among domestic florists. Spruce is considered somewhat more resinous, although it is not inferior in other qualities - useful properties and structure.

Take the material from long-dead trees:

• The material peels off freely, is the most suitable;
• The tissues were mostly freed from resin, causative agents of fungal diseases, under the influence of natural phenomena;
• In such material, there are practically no insects, but there are larvae, you have to get rid of them.

But many orchid growers prefer oak layer, noting a significant amount of nutrients and less acidity compared to pine.
Experts note that the layers of hardwood do not exfoliate, therefore it is problematic to prepare it yourself.

And the industrial harvesting of deciduous trees is practically not carried out, therefore, in ready-made substrates from domestic raw materials, such component does not occur.

Raw materials from other conifers, such as cedar, larch, thuja, decomposes more slowly, which means that it is reluctant to give nutrients to the epiphyte.

Benefits for plants

In orchid growing, the following qualities of the pine layer are appreciated, useful for orchids, most of which are epiphytes:

• Air permeability due to the presence in the composition;
• Moisture capacity and the ability to quickly remove excess water;
• Antiseptic effect due to lignin in the composition;
• The content of nitrogen, ash and oxygen, vegetable fats and wax, useful microelements and mineral acids is significant.

Why not take from rotten plants?

The material is taken only from obsolete, dry, but not from rotten trees.

In order to avoid orchid disease, the bark is chosen clean without rot.

The layer from plants, where decay processes began, is not taken for floriculture to avoid the introduction of pathogenic bacteria on the roots of orchids.

Store substrate or self-made?

Which is better: using purchased bark or self-collected? Each grower makes this choice independently. Opinions are shared here:

• Some orchid growers prefer to harvest raw materials on their own;
• Others trust industrial production.

Each point of view is reasoned. Those who are for independence celebrate the benefits:

• Knowing exactly that the material is taken from the right tree, at the right time;
• High-quality processing and disinfection;
• Optimal fraction cutting;
• Lack of unwanted impurities.

In addition, to buy tree bark in a store, you need to spend money without quality assurance, because the purchased bark recommend to process as well as self-assembled.

On the other hand, not everyone has the opportunity to visit the forest and find a suitable tree. Then the material must be cooked, hopelessly ruining the dishes.

Then cut and dry somewhere thoroughly, and it's time consuming and the need to allocate a decent part of the room.

Which one is needed and suitable for this plant family?

Which tree bark is best suited and which one can be used for orchids to plant? For the cultivation of orchids, pine and spruce bark is in special demand. But the bark of cypress, cedar and thuja is rarely used, as it decomposes too slowly. Also, deciduous bark is suitable for planting an orchid, but it is not so easy to get it: in nature, it is not so easy to meet deciduous trees with peeling bark.

When harvesting bark, do not take it from rotten trees, since such material has slightly different properties. It crumbles quickly and there can be a lot of pests in it. Which faction needs bark? When growing indoor orchids, it is best to use coarse bark.

Products of popular manufacturers

Morris Green substrate, Russian production.

The manufacturer offers coarse dried pine bark, without grinding, suitable for planting adult orchids in substrate and on blocks. The material is clean, treated from parasites.

EFFECT BIO

Another domestic product. A complex substrate based on the bark of the Angara pine. Added dolomite flour to reduce acidity material. Dried, processed from harmful insects.

Complex Seramis

Contains:

Recommended for use on large areas of plantings (for example, in greenhouses).

The term of use is up to 10 years. Despite the presence of clay in the composition, other components are balanced in such a way that the substrate remains loose and breathable for many years, does not cake or thicken.

Multi-component substrate Royal Mix

Calibrated bark, thermally treated, supplemented:

• Peat;
• Charcoal;
• Coconut fiber.

The mixture is enriched with trace elements. The substrate remains loose for a long time, supports optimal temperature conditions, protects the roots from diseases.

Orchiata

Substrate from a granular layer of wood made in New Zealand. It does not thicken for a long time, does not get sick. Disinfected.

Self-preparation of the substrate

Before preparing the planting substrate, it is extremely important to thoroughly disinfect the tree bark or boil it for a long time in a water bath, and then dry it completely. Currently, self-preparation of the following substrates is widely used:

• on the basis of tree bark with excellent drainage properties, represented by mixtures of bark with different fractions, ranging from fine to very coarse, with the addition of peat and perlite;
• substrate mixtures for orchids without perlite or peat admixtures with the use of exceptionally pure crushed tree bark.

Planting pots for some types of orchids are filled with a special mixture. For substrates for variegated precious orchids, a mixture is prepared independently on the basis of broken brick or expanded clay, as well as with the addition of coarse sand and pieces of pine bark. The mixture is complemented by leafy soil and chopped sphagnum moss.

DIY orchid bark preparation

How to cook bark at home? Bark preparation for planting takes place in several stages. For competent preparation of material for orchids with your own hands, you need follow simple rules.

Required tools

For cooking bark only pruner needed for chopping and a galvanized bucket for cooking.

Material collection rules

Raw materials are taken only from a dead and already dried tree, the bark on which began to peel off... Ready to be removed, it lends itself to light hand force and detaches from the barrel.

The bark is collected from dry trees.

In this case, you need to ensure that part of the wood does not get into the collection together with the material - bast fibers.

Raw materials are inspected, remove insects, visible larvae, loose small fragments.

Shredding

How to prepare pine bark? The bark is cut with pruning shears into pieces of approximately the same size. For small orchids optimal fraction size 1-1.5 cm... For large specimens, pieces of 2.5–3 cm are prepared. Very small fragments can be used in the preparation of complex substrates and for planting orchid babies.

Soaking: why and how to do it right?

How to soak the bark? The next stage of processing is soaking. The bark is poured with an insecticide solution, pressed with a light press so that it does not float. In this way get rid of pathogens, possible larvae.

Home disinfection methods

How much to cook pine bark? Bark placed in a galvanized bucket, poured with water, lightly pressed with a press.

The water is brought to a boil
boil raw materials for 50-60 minutes over low heat. After that, the fire is turned off and the contents are left to cool.
Pros of this method:

• Simplicity;
• The ability to cook a large volume of bark in a relatively short time;
• Efficiency.

How to cook pine bark? How to process pine bark for planting?

Oven processing... This is a good alternative to cooking. In this case, the clean bark is placed in an oven heated to 75–80 degrees. Calcined for 15–20 minutes.

Such processing takes less time than cooking, while successfully destroying larvae and pathogenic bacteria.

It is difficult to find information about mass processing in the microwave. You can put in the oven only wetted materials and for a very short time.

Drying

How to prepare the bark? Chilled bark sent to dry... The boiled one is preliminarily discarded in a colander. Dry until completely dry.

Features of the collection and processing of oak bark

Which bark is best? What bark should you plant? Some orchid growers in the European part of the country prefer to cook oak bark substrate... Oak bark more than pine bark gives out nutrients for the orchid, the level of acidity is lower, which is beneficial for orchids. The flower is fertilized less often and does not waste efforts to reduce acidity. Planting in oak bark is carried out in the same way as in pine.

Oak bark contains more nutrients than pine bark.

The task of harvesting oak raw materials is simplified where oak is planted in forest shelter belts. The material is collected from the undergrowth, immature shoots. Convenient to use spring sanitary felling, planned felling, when the bark can be safely prepared for future use.

On the selected branches with a sharp knife, circular cuts are made at a distance of 20-25 cm, between them - an incision along the branch, then a piece of bark is removed.

Material disinfected by boiling, recommend doing this longer. For drying, lay out in one layer.

Using fresh bark

Some orchid growers do not mind using fresh bark. At the same time, it is recommended not to skip the rest of the preparation stages - disinfection and drying.

Why orchids are grown in the bark

Novice collectors often wonder why there is bark instead of familiar soil in a transparent pot. This is due to the biological characteristics of orchids. Most of them in nature grow on trees, were fixed by the roots to the bark.

The structural features of the orchid root system are distinguished by a special cover. This is a spongy tissue - velamen. With its help, plants are fixed on the surface of the tree bark. It also serves to absorb moisture and gaseous nutrients from the air.

Plants with such properties are classified as epiphytes.

L.A. Krasovitskaya - candidate of biological sciences,

senior researcher at the National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

What kind of bark is used in the substrate

For growing orchids, the bark of any tree or shrub is suitable. But most tree species have a relatively thin and dense shell. For the substrate, it is better to use a porous and thick bark so that it absorbs and retains as much air and moisture as possible, which are necessary for respiration and nutrition of the root system. The pine bark of mature trees that are more than 50 years old copes with this task best. By this age, a shell with a thickness of 8-12 mm is formed in the lower part of the trunk.

Its property is as follows:

• If you press down with your fingers, it becomes slightly compacted, and, and then, straightens again, as if it were springy. What indicates its porosity is the ability to absorb moisture and air well. It is this quality that is valuable for optimal aeration and nutrition of the orchid.

Where and how to prepare pine bark

A place where it is quite possible to collect bark for an orchid is quite accessible to everyone. it pine forest, wooded park or parkwhere these trees meet. If there is a sawmill nearby, bark can be collected there. Often on the Internet there are advertisements for the sale of rough sawn timber, for example, slabs... This is the outermost part of the trunk with bark, cut off when sawing.

Preparing the bark for the substrate - step by step

Before proceeding with the direct processing process, it is necessary to conduct a preliminary audit of the raw material. Each piece is carefully and meticulously examined from all sides. The bark from which cannot be removed is mercilessly discarded:

• Spots of various colors, these can be diseases,
• Fragments rotted or damaged by pests,
• Large or small pieces of cured resin. It is harmful to the orchid, since it makes it difficult for air and moisture to reach the plant roots, and also releases specific substances that are dangerous to the plant.

If the bark is not needed in the near future, it is sent for storage in a dry, warm place with good aeration, for example, in a shed or pantry where there are no rodents. In suitable conditions, the workpiece can be saved indefinitely.

Boiling

In the case when the bark is needed immediately, processing is carried out immediately after sorting. To protect raw materials from pathogens and pest larvae that may be contained in the bark, it is necessary to carry out heat treatment... The most common preventive treatment is boiling... More details on how to carry out the procedure correctly:

Planting and aftercare

Planting an orchid in the bark complies with the basic rules for planting epiphytes. This material considered one of the best substrates for most epiphytes and lithophytes. The pieces should be:

• Suitable size;
• Are clean;
• And disinfected.

Therefore, proper care is required for the orchid.

How to fill the pot correctly?

Large pieces of bark can be used as an independent substrate. If you wish, you can put expanded clay or pieces of foam plastic on the bottom with a layer of 3-4 cm. The first 2-3 layers of bark should be large fragments. Then in the pot put orchid roots.

Technology

The roots should freely enter the container and be located above the lower layers of the laid substrate.

Holding the orchid in weight with one hand, pieces of bark are poured (laid) between the roots, periodically tapping lightly with the pot on a horizontal surface, for example, on a table. Pour the bark up to the root collarwithout overlapping it.

Attachment methods

The orchid does not need to be planted in the substrate. From large pieces, you can make a block on which to fix the orchid. For this:

• A little sphagnum is placed on the block;
• An orchid is pressed on top;
• Fasten with a soft thin wire or fishing line.

Watering

Watered by immersion. The container with the plant is placed in a large bowl of water. After 20-30 minutes, remove and allow the water to drain. After that, the orchid return to a permanent place.

The average frequency of watering is once every 7-10 days. Depending on the conditions, watering is increased or decreased. It is necessary to properly care for the orchid at home.

Possible problems

Difficulties in using the bark as a substrate for planting epiphytes are very rare. Problems usually start after a while due to improper care. Phalaenopsis roots rot due to improper watering and excess moisture. To remedy the situation, the frequency and intensity of irrigation is reduced, the plant is watered only with warm and soft water.

Sometimes yellowed areas are found on the foliage. The reason for their appearance is direct sunlight. To avoid this, the plant is illuminated only with diffused light. For this, the pot is placed on the east or west side of the house. If the orchid stands on the southern windowsill, during the hours of active sun it is shaded with a screen.

Planting an orchid

Garlic water for orchids: examples of cooking and watering

The predominant way of growing these wonderful flowers is potting them. This is the most convenient method, as the roots of the plant are inside the pot, not outside, so the flower does not suffer from frequent drying out of the substrate. It is best to breed orchids in plastic containers (transparent and translucent versions are made for them), it is desirable that they have holes at the bottom (they are needed so that the plant is ventilated, and so that excess moisture drains, otherwise the roots will begin to rot, and the plant will die). Growing orchids in other containers is not encouraged, as it is inconvenient for them in massive, but narrow pots.

Planting an orchid

Important! Orchids are flowers that do not like crowding and lack of ventilated holes.

The second type of orchid cultivation is tree planting.These flowers in exotic countries lead an epiphytic lifestyle, that is, they can live in trees, dropping roots down. These flowers can also be grown at home. How to do it? You need to take a board or block from any tree (it is very important that the breed is not resinous). The plant is temporarily tied to the bar so that it locks onto it. Over time, the orchid will wrap itself around the wood and become attached to it. In order for everything to happen without difficulties, it is necessary to provide decent care for the plant, otherwise it will not take root and die. In order for the flower to live in this situation at home, you need to constantly use a spray bottle that will regularly spray the bar (if it is not moistened with water, the orchid will not survive), and also maintain a constant temperature of twenty to twenty-five degrees Celsius.

Which bark is better to plant

Despite the fact that there are enough bases for the substrate, many experts believe that it is better to prepare it from pine bark. It is better in quality compared to other options, has less resinous substances than spruce, and also decomposes most slowly.

You can use soil based on various breeds for growing orchids. The main thing is to study the methodology for preparing each of them. In order not to create unnecessary trouble for yourself, you should take care and check with the sellers: what kind of bark is needed for transplanting the orchid that you purchased. This will facilitate the process of harvesting the substrate and caring for the plant.

Which raw material is best

The question is controversial, and there is no clear answer to it. Some orchid lovers choose purchased formulations, arguing their choice with time savings and affordability of purchase. In specialized flower shops, you can see a line of substrates from various manufacturers, differing in components and prices.

Another group advocates making a mixture and bark for orchids with their own hands. Their arguments:

• quality of raw materials;
• cutting with the necessary fractions (if you need small bark in pots, large - for blocks and drainage);
• compulsory disinfection;
• lack of unnecessary components and impurities;
• you can make a mixture with any ingredients.

For beginners, it is better to choose a substrate in the store and transplant the plants into ready-made mixtures, but be sure to process the bark before planting.

What it is

Everyone knows what the bark is. It is present on every tree. It may differ in thickness, structure, color, density and other parameters. The bark has a fairly rich chemical composition, which makes it a suitable material for the substrate of orchids.

For phalaenopsis and other epiphytic orchids, the bark can be taken differently. Usually they use pine or oak.

Self-procurement

You can prepare the bark of spruce, pine or oak with your own hands. Decontaminating the material is not too difficult, but the whole process is time-consuming, space-consuming and a few tools. However, floriculture enthusiasts believe that it is more profitable to prepare the bark for an orchid on their own than to buy an industrial substrate, relying on the good faith of the manufacturer.

You need to start with the correct collection of material. Choose slightly dry and possibly even fallen trees. The outer layer should peel off easily with little hand force. If the bark is too tight, there is a high probability of collecting it together with the bast layer, and this is undesirable. Before harvesting, the tree must be examined for signs of rot or fungal infection, they should not be on the entire trunk.

On a note!

Moss is not a sign of spoiled wood. It grows on mature and vigorous plants that are suitable for long term symbiosis.

After it is necessary to conduct a careful examination. Remove all insects, foreign bodies, larvae. All small fractions that fall off easily should be sifted out immediately. Then sort and grind.Leave the smallest pieces with a side of less than 1 centimeter for adding to the mixture and planting "kids". Cut the rest with pruning shears into squares with sides from 1 to 2 centimeters and from 2 to 4. The former are suitable for small young flowers, the latter for large specimens.

To finally get rid of possible pathogens, a soaking procedure is performed. It is necessary to make an insecticide solution in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Pour all the material, put the load on top, leave for a day. Then use either boiling or calcining. Orchids cannot be transplanted into an unprepared substrate. Take a galvanized bucket for boiling. If it is not there, you will have to select the pan, which you do not mind then throw out. Place the bark in cold water, put on medium heat, after boiling, process it for 50 minutes. Turn off, leave to cool the entire container. Only then drain. The method of heat treatment in the oven is also used. If you don't need a lot of substrate, this is especially convenient. Preheat the oven to 80 degrees, place the bark in one layer on a baking sheet for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the material to cool directly in the cabinet.

The disinfected substrate must not be used until it is completely dry. To do this, spread the bark on natural tissue in a dry room, but not outdoors, where the material can again be infected with larvae and bacteria. First, fold the boiled bark into a colander, let all the water drain. This will help speed up the process.

How to plant an orchid in a pot

Before transplanting Phalaenopsis into a new substrate, examine its roots. For this, the root system of the extracted plant is washed under a stream of warm running water. Then the roots are carefully examined to detect damaged areas, signs of rot or insect infestation. All damaged parts are carefully cut off with sharp, disinfected scissors. Places of cuts are disinfected with cinnamon powder or crushed coal. If traces of the presence of insects are found, the root system is soaked for 20 minutes in an insecticide solution, then dried with napkins.

When transplanting a plant into a new container, proceed in the following order:

1. The container is disinfected and a 3 cm thick drainage layer is laid.
2. A layer of fresh soil is poured on top.
3. Then the orchid itself is located. Its roots are evenly distributed over the surface of the soil. The base is positioned so that it is 1.5 lower than the edge of the container.
4. Before backfilling the roots with a substrate, a support is installed close to the base of the bush. This will help avoid injury to the root system in the future.
5. Gradually fill up the soil, closing the root system. Shake the box periodically to fill all voids.

It is not necessary to transplant the orchid into the substrate. Large blocks made from large pieces of bark can be used to anchor the plant. To fix the flower on such a block, cover it with a small amount of sphagnum. An orchid is placed on top and tied to the block using a soft wire of small thickness or fishing line.

After planting, watering is performed by immersing the container in water. After a quarter of an hour, it is taken out and the excess liquid is allowed to drain. Irrigation in this way is carried out every 10 days. It is possible to decrease or increase the interval between irrigations, depending on the microclimate in the room.

Material requirements

To prepare the substrate, you can use the bark of different trees. When choosing, you need to take into account the composition of the tree, as well as the strength, the degree of complexity of processing, the decomposition period, etc.

Pine or spruce bark is best suited for these purposes. Hardwood is great, but it's not easy to prepare. Larch is a good option and can be easily found and separated.Oak material has many useful properties, but the difficulties of processing and moderation in extraction make it much more difficult to harvest it with your own hands.

When choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account the following important point: a fence can be made from a dry, obsolete, but not rotten tree. The processes that have begun in the rotting bark, provoked by pathogenic bacteria, can infect the root system of the orchid and provoke its death. In addition to rottenness, it is worth checking that the bark is not damaged by insects and is not affected by a fungal infection. Do not take rotten areas - they will not last long.

When choosing a material, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• acidity level - it should be minimal;
• the content of resinous substances is low.

The fence must be made from a dry, obsolete, but not rotten tree

What is it used for

Most orchids belong to epiphytes. That is, a family of plants that do not grow on the ground. They use the trunks and branches of trees as support for their growth. At the same time, they are not parasites, and feed completely on their own root system.

You won't surprise anyone in the tropics, but for us it is a real curiosity. How do the roots of a plant get nourishment without soil? They are so arranged that they absorb moisture from the air. And along with moisture, and nutrients evaporated with it.

The structure of these roots is complex. The top layer, like a sponge, absorbs the necessary nutrition and moisture, then it enters the root through the capillaries, and then rises to the leaves, peduncle and flowers. The epiphytic root system even participates in photosynthesis, along with leaves. Using the bark when transplanting an orchid, you can provide the roots with comfortable development and growth.

Benefit

The bark as a substrate for indoor orchids is fully consistent with its natural growing conditions. In the jungle, being directly on the tree, orchid roots absorb moisture evaporated from the bark. When there is bark in a pot of an orchid, the same thing happens.

But perhaps most importantly, the bark can perfectly meet the other needs of the flower. Namely, sufficient moisture permeability. High breathability. And reliable fastening of the flower in the substrate. All these factors together make the bark the best substrate for orchids.

Problems and difficulties after the procedure

A transplanted flower takes time to adapt to new conditions. The root system of the plant gets used to the composition of the old substrate, therefore, immediately after transplanting into the renewed mixture, it slightly slows down growth and development. Some growers add a small amount of the old substrate to the new one in order to facilitate the survival of the orchid as much as possible.

Water the plant taking into account the state of the substrate, humidity and air temperature in the room. Between irrigation, the mixture in the pot must dry out, but not dry out. Excessive waterlogging and stagnant moisture cause rotting of the roots, shoots and the death of the orchid.

Also, do not place transplanted plants in the open sun. For about 7-10 days, the orchid is kept in partial shade, then it is allowed to be placed in a brighter place, but not in direct sunlight. The scorching light leads to burns on the leaves, suppression of shoots, and lack of flowering.

Orchids are exotic flowers that require special growing conditions. Proper preparation of a high-quality nutrient substrate and one of its main components - tree bark, will create a familiar habitat for plants, which promotes growth and abundant flowering.

Can I prepare the substrate myself?

Many flower growers prefer to use handmade mixtures. In this case, you can be sure that the composition is fully consistent with what was put into it. It has the following advantages:

• low cost;
• ideal composition for a specific type of orchid;
• high quality.

But there is a minus. For self-preparation of the composition, you will have to work hard. For some ingredients you need to go to the forest.

Benefits of bark substrates

Pine substrates are most suitable for growing tropical plants. The experience of many gardeners shows that in such mixtures, the root system of the plant does not get sick, it develops and grows well, providing the bush with the necessary nutrients.

Benefits of pine bark for planting orchids:

• high air permeability;
• looseness;
• the ability to drain excess water in a short time, preventing overmoistening of the roots;
• the presence of a large amount of nutrients, trace elements, vegetable fats necessary for the development of an orchid.

The composition contains lignin, a natural antiseptic that protects tissues from rotting, the appearance of mold. But we must remember that with any violations in the care (excessive watering, lack of drying of the substrate, abuse of dressings), the qualities of the composition deteriorate, which threatens the death of the plant.

DIY or store purchase?

It is unlikely that it will be possible to answer this question unequivocally. Since some people believe that it is best to buy a ready-made substrate in the store, which will contain other useful elements in addition to the bark. Moreover, this way you can save time and effort.

Others growers vote in favor of self-made bark... This is explained by the fact that the gardener will be completely confident in the quality of the product. And he and the other option have the right to life. Everyone chooses based on their personal preferences.

The bark can be found in the park near the house. If these are not available, you can contact the city enterprise that deals with the processing of trees, and ask them about the presence of bark.

If these two methods did not help, then you can arrange a country walk and collect bark in the forest.

We suggest watching a video about what types of bark and substrate are offered in stores for growing orchids:

Useful video

We offer for viewing an informative video about self-preparation of the bark at home:

Bark is an essential and essential nutrient for orchids.... Such a soil only has a positive effect on the growth and development of the plant. Therefore, the task of the florist is to correctly select the bark from a pine or other tree, as well as gain knowledge of how to pre-prepare it and skillfully process it.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.

Ready mixes

Many companies manufacture orchid substrates on an industrial scale. Popular are:

• Bio effect;
• Seramis complex;
• Royal Mix;
• Orchiata and others.

A variety of ingredients necessary for epiphytes are added to the mixture: moss, peat, dolomite flour. The compositions are completely ready for planting indoor orchids.

You can't easily name the best substrate. Each product has its own characteristics that suit some growers and displease others. You need to select the mixture yourself. It makes sense for novice growers to try several different compositions on different specimens of the same species.

What technology is used by firms?

To prepare the bark for substrates on an industrial scale, it is removed from trees on woodworking machines. In fact, this is a production waste, so the production of mixtures does not harm the environment.

After removing the periderm:

• cleanse dirt: sand, dust with a stream of air;
• the raw materials are washed and heated several times on special equipment;
• disinfect;
• crushed to the desired size;
• sent for the production of finished substrate.

Washing on special equipment makes it possible to completely remove resins and tannins that can damage exotic beauties.

On a note. Due to the fact that the bark is removed from a fresh tree, there may be residual fibers on it. This does not affect the quality of the substrate.