How to Judge the Soil Mixture for an Orchid

When buying an orchid, it is easy to look at the top of the pot and assume the quality of the soil is consistent throughout. If you want to ensure that you are purchasing a high quality orchid that has received good care, you should be sure to look at the soil beneath the surface to judge its quality.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Remove some of the large pieces of soil mix from the top of the pot. This will allow you to carefully poke beneath the surface to examine the quality of soil the orchid has been growing in.

2. Look for large chunks of bark, coconut husks or other organic material under the surface of the soil mix. These will allow the water to drain more efficiently and the air to circulate more freely through the soil, encouraging maximum orchid growth.

3. Turn the orchid upside-down, carefully holding the orchid in place, and see if you can determine what makes up the bottom layer of the soil mix. This very bottom layer should be made up of foam packing peanuts, large pieces of gravel or another inert substance that will allow excellent drainage.

4. Feel for moisture. Soil that feels wet is probably too wet for your orchid. The ideal soil mix should have organic material mixed with gravel, sand or sphagnum moss for good drainage.

Tips & Warnings

• Never buy an orchid that has been grown in regular potting soil. In nature, orchids grow on trees, not in the dirt. Potting soil can kill your orchid.