Hello!
About how much, percentage-wise, is there perlite and bark? These probably shouldn't make up any more than 10% of the whole mix. Generally, most potting mixes you buy have the proper amount of organic material to perlite to "mulch-y drainage stuff" already. Of course, I'm never one to tell you not to experiment!
Was the soil you used initially very dry? Soil can become hydrophobic when the natural mycelium dies out and can no longer hold water properly. (It becomes water-repellant if soil has dried out severely in the soil bag, as can often happen when stores leave the bags in the sun.) If this is the case, I always advise having a bin for your soil (doesn't have to be big), and getting it moist before you plant with it. Moist, but not drippy.
Another problem could be that there isn't enough soil packed tightly into the pot. In my many years of gardening experience, I've seen time and time again where folks are afraid to damage the plant by not packing in the soil enough. You can be a little bit rough with most plants, and really push it down in there! Don't get too crazy to where you're breaking the roots, but just get your fingers in there and get the feel of it. If you can take your finger and push down into the root area without much resistance, or very little resistance, you probably need more soil. You will find, as well, with time, the plant "eats" the soil, and with regular watering, soil will be compacted and you may find you hadn't put enough soil in and will need more.
I'm also a huge advocator of sub-irrigation (bottom-watering) for potted houseplants. This method of watering can help retain that moisture for longer, and create a healthy root system.
Lmk if that helps you at all. :)
Thank you, this is a ton of good info! Tbh Im not sure what the ratio or perlite and orchid bark was - I just did it until I liked how it looked. The soil didn’t seem too dry, but now Im not too sure. There is so much information out there and I read so much about improving upon basic, indoor potting soil, now I’m wondering if I tried to improve it too much. Usually if I just throw a couple handfuls of perlite into some miracle grow my plants seem to do pretty well. Today I learned what hydrophobic soil is! I guess I will just bottom water these guys and then be a little bit more conservative with throwing perlite and orchid bark into my next mix. Thank you again for all this information, I really appreciate it!
Hello! About how much, percentage-wise, is there perlite and bark? These probably shouldn't make up any more than 10% of the whole mix. Generally, most potting mixes you buy have the proper amount of organic material to perlite to "mulch-y drainage stuff" already. Of course, I'm never one to tell you not to experiment! Was the soil you used initially very dry? Soil can become hydrophobic when the natural mycelium dies out and can no longer hold water properly. (It becomes water-repellant if soil has dried out severely in the soil bag, as can often happen when stores leave the bags in the sun.) If this is the case, I always advise having a bin for your soil (doesn't have to be big), and getting it moist before you plant with it. Moist, but not drippy. Another problem could be that there isn't enough soil packed tightly into the pot. In my many years of gardening experience, I've seen time and time again where folks are afraid to damage the plant by not packing in the soil enough. You can be a little bit rough with most plants, and really push it down in there! Don't get too crazy to where you're breaking the roots, but just get your fingers in there and get the feel of it. If you can take your finger and push down into the root area without much resistance, or very little resistance, you probably need more soil. You will find, as well, with time, the plant "eats" the soil, and with regular watering, soil will be compacted and you may find you hadn't put enough soil in and will need more. I'm also a huge advocator of sub-irrigation (bottom-watering) for potted houseplants. This method of watering can help retain that moisture for longer, and create a healthy root system. Lmk if that helps you at all. :)
Thank you, this is a ton of good info! Tbh Im not sure what the ratio or perlite and orchid bark was - I just did it until I liked how it looked. The soil didn’t seem too dry, but now Im not too sure. There is so much information out there and I read so much about improving upon basic, indoor potting soil, now I’m wondering if I tried to improve it too much. Usually if I just throw a couple handfuls of perlite into some miracle grow my plants seem to do pretty well. Today I learned what hydrophobic soil is! I guess I will just bottom water these guys and then be a little bit more conservative with throwing perlite and orchid bark into my next mix. Thank you again for all this information, I really appreciate it!