Do-it-yourself orchid block: what is it and what are the rules for planting and growing a flower?

Orchids are quite voluminous plants and occupy a large space in the apartment, and since orchid lovers are not limited to buying one flower and get them more and more, there is less and less space on the windowsills and cupboards. This is where hanging blocks for orchids come to the rescue, which significantly save space and are also more natural than pots.

About how to make such a device with your own hands we will describe in this article. Also watch a helpful video on the topic.

What it is?

A block is a piece of bark, coconut or an ordinary small snag, to which an orchid is attached and suspended from a ceiling, wall, etc. It is a good alternative to the usual pots and vases.

Difference from other methods

Because of most orchids are epiphytes, that is, they grow on trees, blocks - the most optimal option, in which the plant will feel as close as possible to its natural conditions. Compared to traditional planting methods, orchid growth on the block has a huge plus - wonderful aeration.

The root system of the plant requires constant access to air, so a block is an ideal option. When the roots are in the pot and illiterate is maintained, there is a high probability that they will rot from excess moisture, and this is simply impossible on the block.

Orchid growing in a piece of bark can also become a very beautiful piece of furniture.. Just enough. hang it on the wall and the room will take on a more fresh and exotic look.

The importance of landing

From how, where and in what the flower is planted - its future life, growth and development will depend. In order to choose the right planting method, it is necessary to take into account the climate of the room where the flower will grow in the future and find out all the features of the selected orchid, in order to know what conditions it needs.

For which species is this option suitable?

Many orchids will be happy to grow in the block. The main ones are:

Aerangis.
Oncidium.
Cattleya.
Phalaenopsis.
Ascocentrum.

TIP: A dried flower, unusual for plenty of moisture, as well as a flower with leaves growing down, will facilitate planting.

What material is suitable for growing this flower?

Different materials are suitable for blocks. The most commonly used are:

bark of pine, cork oak, spruce;
snag;
fern rhizome;
coconut fiber.

A block of bark should be intact, without cracks and fragile parts. It is advisable to use material with a thickness of 3 centimeters, so that it is durable and well retains moisture. You also need to choose a block the size of the orchid itself, or even a little larger.

Watch a video about the types of blocks for orchids:

How to plant a plant in this way?

Planting a plant with your own hands is basically not difficult and does not require much effort. This happens this way:

In advance, select the right material and take care of how and what it will be attached in the future.
Lay out a layer of moss on the block (but you can also without it), place an orchid on top so that the roots are located on the moss and cover them with the next layer of sphagnum.
Fix the plant with fishing line, wire or other material that does not rot, does not tear and cannot injure the flower.
Done! Now it remains only to hang the plant in a beautiful, visible place and admire this miracle.

IMPORTANT: Attach the plant to the block very carefully so as not to damage the delicate roots.

Watch a video about planting an orchid on a block:

How to care?

Moisture is very important for the orchid growing on the block., so the humidity in the room needs about 80%. The temperature and lighting should be the same as for orchids that grow in pots. Watering and spraying the plant will have to be much more common than usual. This is mainly every two days, but it happens less often, depending on the type of orchids.

Before watering, be sure to make sure that the roots are absolutely dry, so as not to water the plant.

Possible problems and difficulties

At first glance, one can’t even imagine that some problems may appear with the blocks, because this method is so easy and simple. But not so simple:

During a transplant of an orchid that previously grew in a pot, one may encounter a problem of roots that are not adapted to a large amount of oxygen. Sometimes potted plants do not get enough fresh air and plus there is an excess of moisture, so their roots will not be able to adapt to new conditions and die. But after some time, new roots will come to replace them, which will feel great on the blocks.
There may also be a problem with creating a suitable climate, because air humidity is very important for an orchid on a block. Therefore, before deciding on a flower transplant, you need to carefully consider this item.
Difficulty may be in choosing a place where the orchid will “hang” in the future. We must not forget that in addition to moisture, the plant needs a normal temperature and suitable light.

The most important thing when buying an orchid is not what block it will hang on or what color the pot will be. The most important thing is to provide the flower with care and the conditions he needsso that he can comfortably grow, develop and delight the eye.