They couldn't be more opposite and yet enter into a congenial partnership. An inconspicuous, rootless spore plant, sphagnum moss is useful in the cultivation of majestic orchids in a variety of ways. Read here where the moss species of the queen of flowers is at your service.

Orchids and moss go well together

Indispensable additive in the orchid substrate

By planting epiphytic orchids in a pot, we force the noble flowers into an unnatural way of life. The quality of orchid soil is therefore of great importance in order to provide the aerial roots with at least approximately acceptable conditions. In addition to the main component pieces of bark, sphagnum moss ingeniously covers the need for a humus-rich additive with first-class water storage power.

Tying up orchids is only possible with moss

Tied to a branch, you can cultivate your orchids in a natural and impressive way. However, the demanding flower beauty only feels in good hands when its sphagnum moss is at your feet. This is how the plan works:

  • Place the moistened moss on the branch and fix it with a fine hairnet
  • Position the orchid with its aerial roots on it
  • Tie the aerial roots to the moss and branch with strips of nylon stocking

Optionally, tie up the moss with brown sewing thread before placing the orchid on top. Within a short time, the moss will overgrow its binding material so densely that it can no longer be seen.

This is how moss gets Orchideen-Kindel going

Outside the humid and warm rainforest climate, the aerial roots of orchids are always threatened by drought stress. This applies not least when a Phalaenopsis orchid sprout on stems or pseudobulbs. Until the offshoots have their own strong aerial roots and can be separated from the mother plant, Sphagnum ensures that they do not dry out.

To do this, wrap the childel's trunk area in peat moss and spray it with soft water daily.

tips

As a result of increasing urbanization and overexploitation, sphagnum moss is one of the most endangered moss species. To save the genus from extinction, all types of peat moss are protected. Therefore, please do not take sphagnum from nature, but buy it from certified specialist dealers, where it is offered inexpensively for less than 1 euro per liter.

Category:

Vegetable garden