Orchid Potting Mix
Phalaenopsis, cattleya, dendrobium, oncidium
In stock · ships by Canada Post
About this mix
- Mixed for orchids, ready to use from the bag
- Made of: medium fir bark, perlite, horticultural charcoal, coco chips
- One 3 L bag fills about 1–3 pots, no 50 L sacks to store
- No fertilizer, only the components listed
- Shipping $12–$20, free from $60 (details)
Product information
| Best for | Phalaenopsis, cattleya, dendrobium, oncidium |
|---|---|
| Bag size | 3 L (about 1.1 kg packed) |
| Ingredients | Medium fir bark, Perlite, Horticultural charcoal, Coco chips |
| Fertilizer | None added |
| Price | $22.00 CAD before tax |
| Shipping | Canada Post, across Canada (Quebec coming soon) |
Most orchids sold in Canada grow on tree bark in the wild, not in soil. Their roots need air around them and dry out between waterings. Regular potting soil packs down around them, stays wet, and the roots rot. This mix is mostly bark, so water runs straight through and the roots can breathe.
Is it right for your plant?
Use it for
- Phalaenopsis (moth orchid), the one from the grocery store
- Cattleya
- Dendrobium
- Oncidium and other epiphytic orchids
- Hoya and other plants that like a very airy mix
Not for
- Ordinary houseplants like ferns or peace lily: it dries too fast for them. Use Aroid Mix.
- Seedlings and cuttings in water: the pieces are too big for tiny roots. Use Seed Starting Mix.
- Very small orchids in 5 cm pots: medium bark is too coarse for them.
What's inside
| 70% | Medium fir bark: the base: big air gaps, roots grip it like a tree |
| 15% | Perlite: keeps the mix open as the bark slowly breaks down |
| 10% | Horticultural charcoal: stays structured and keeps the mix from going sour |
| 5% | Coco chips: hold a little moisture between waterings |
Water drains out in seconds. The mix is dry again in about 5–10 days in a typical Canadian home in winter, faster in summer. Repot every 1–2 years, when the bark starts breaking into fine crumbs.
How much do I need?
Enter your pot size. We assume a typical nursery pot filled to the top.
When you repot, the root ball takes up part of the pot, so you usually need a bit less. Leftover mix keeps for months in the closed bag.
How to repot
- Wait until the orchid has finished flowering, or until roots climb over the pot edge.
- Soak the mix in a bowl of water for 30–60 minutes, then drain. Dry bark repels water at first.
- Take the orchid out and gently remove all of the old mix from the roots.
- Cut off roots that are brown, hollow or mushy with clean scissors. Firm green or silver roots stay.
- Pick a pot only slightly bigger than the root mass, with drainage holes.
- Hold the plant at the same height as before and pour the mix in around the roots, tapping the pot so it settles.
- Wait 3–5 days before the first watering, then water as usual.
Our step-by-step orchid repotting guide covers each step in more detail. How to Repot an Orchid, Step by Step
Orchid Mix: questions
Can I use regular potting soil for orchids?
No. Regular soil holds water and packs down, so orchid roots cannot get air and rot within weeks. Orchids need a coarse bark-based mix.
Should I soak the bark before potting?
Yes. Soak it for 30 to 60 minutes and drain. Dry bark sheds water, and soaking makes the first waterings even.
Is this mix good for phalaenopsis?
Yes, it is made with phalaenopsis in mind, as it is the most common orchid in Canadian homes.
How often should I repot my orchid?
Every 1 to 2 years, or sooner if the bark breaks down into soil-like crumbs and stays wet for days.
Does the mix contain fertilizer?
No. It contains only the components listed above. Use an orchid fertilizer at the strength on its label during the growing season.
How many orchids will one bag pot?
About two or three phalaenopsis in 12–13 cm pots. Use the calculator above for your exact pots.
Compare the mixes
| Orchid | Succulent & Cactus | Aroid | African Violet | Seed Starting | Bonsai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For | Orchids | Succulents & cacti | Monstera & aroids | African violets | Seeds | Bonsai |
| Main ingredient | Medium fir bark | Pumice | Fir bark | Sphagnum peat moss | Fine coco coir | Pumice |
| Bag | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L |
| Price | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 |
