New - Substrates to help you achieve successful clumps

Autumn is coming... Time to prepare your plants for next Spring and Summer. Phytesia helps you preparing substrates

Orchids are fascinating ! Adopt the varieties that can be grown in the garden; they will return faithfully every year, provided that they are planted in favourable conditions.

The ideal period for planting orchids such as Cypripedium, Dactylorhiza, Epipactis and Bletilla is in autumn, once the intense heat of summer is over, and if possible, before the early frosts arrive.

This is definitely the best period to choose. In this way, bulbs and rhizomes will have the chance to establish themselves and adapt gradually to the winter conditions. In their dormant period, these perennials are mostly capable of enduring severe frosts (down to approximately -20°C or -30°C in open ground). On the other hand, it is not recommended to leave garden orchids to spend the winter in their little growing pot.

Substrates to help you achieve successful clumps

When planting your orchids, it is advisable to make a plant pouch about 20 cm deep and 20 to 30 cm wide. For an optimal substrate, mix 1/3 of fine lava stone (pumice), 1/3 of compost for aquatic plants (which usually contains sand and clay) and 1/3 of soil from your garden.

The lava stone is very absorbent, and will help to keep your substrate moist (and therefore cool) during the summer period, while providing good drainage during periods of rain (avoiding surplus water).

Dig a large planting hole, remove the growing pot and place the plant and its rootball in the hole. Make sure that the top of the rootball is at the same level as the surface of the surrounding soil. Ensure that the rootball is in contact with the surrounding soil, then water copiously.

To help you and facilitate the preparation of these clumps, Phytesia brings you 2 substrates this autumn :

• Lava stone - pumice (5 kilo bag/14.90 euro) : The lava stone can be used according to the method set out below: This quantity (used in a ratio of 1/3rd) is suitable for planting 5 or 6 garden orchids.

• Compost for Cypripedium, Dactylorhiza, Epipactis, ready-to-use mixture (5 kilo bag/14.90 euro) : Suitable for planting 2 garden orchids.

Please note that these substrates are not necessary for Pleione and Bletilla orchids. For these varieties, an ordinary, humus-rich compost, which you will find at any good garden centre will suffice. For optimal results, mix it with 50% of 'good' soil from your garden, and possibly 10% of lava stone.

Related products

Soil for Cypripedium, ready-to-use mixture (5L Bag)

Lava stone - pumice (5L Bag)