4 DIY Orchid Potting Mix Recipes

Orchid plants grow best with the right bark mix! Here are some of the best DIY Orchid Potting Mix Recipes for you to try!

Preparing your homemade potting mix not only saves money but is free from any contaminations. Orchids are particularly sensitive to the growing medium used, and their watering needs vary according to that. The potting mix should be well aerated and drain quickly. Here are some of the best DIY Orchid Potting Mix Recipes!

Check out some of the best orchid varieties you can grow here! 

DIY Orchid Potting Mix Recipes

1. Bark Potting Mix

You’ll Need: 

• Container
• Tree Bark
• Peat moss/ Cocopeat

Steps:

• Take one part grounded tree bark. It can be Coastal redwood, Douglas fir, or Osmunda tree fern bark.
• In the same container, add one-fifth part of perlite or peat moss and mix it with tree bark thoroughly.
• You can also combine one part osmunda bark with three parts of redwood for a quality potting mix. Make sure to soak it overnight before adding it to the mix.

2. Fine Potting Mix

You’ll Need: 

• Fir Bark/ Fine-grade coco Chips/ Redwood Bark
• Fine Charcoal
• Perlite

Steps:

• Using a measuring jar, take four parts of fine fir bark, fine-grade coco chips, and redwood bark in a container.
• Add one part fine charcoal and one part perlite to the container. Mix until you obtain a mix of uniform consistency.
• That’s it! Your potting mix is ready for use! Fine potting mix is ideal for planting orchids with small roots such as oncidiums or miltonias.

3. Sphagnum Potting Mix

You’ll Need:

• Sphagnum Moss
• Medium Sponge Rock
• Aerolite

Recipe: 

In a measuring utensil, measure nine scoops of sphagnum moss. After adding sphagnum moss to the bucket, add two scoops of medium sponge rock, one scoop of aerolite. Mix all the ingredients using a ladle, and that’s it!

4. Coconut Husk Chips Mix

You’ll Need:

• Coconut husk chips
• Fine charcoal
• Perlite
• Water
• Container with drainage holes

Recipe: 

Rinse the coconut chips well and mix 2 parts of it with 1 part charcoal and 1 part perlite. Add water and let the mixture rest overnight. Before you put it in a container, do ensure that you have squeezed the excess water.

Want to know about the best orchid care tips? Click here! 

Tips and Tricks

• Choosing materials is crucial when it comes to orchid varieties. For example, Terrestrial orchids prefer sphagnum moss and epiphytes like mossy limbs.
• While growing Terrestrial orchids, always go for a denser mix. Sand and sphagnum moss or coco peat works best.
• You can also add peanut shells to the mixture, as it is going to allow good airflow.
• For moth orchids, use 80% fir bark along with 20% sphagnum peat for best results.