I'm looking for advice on creating a chunkier soil mix for my monster Thai and Alocasia Frydek. The current soil isn't chunky enough, and during my last repotting, I noticed that the perlite I bought recently is either too dusty or the size of a lentil. I'm located in Germany, so if anyone has recommendations for sellers or specific products, that would be great!
2 Answers
I've had good luck using a blend of organic soil and a mix specifically designed for orchids. Typically, I use two 4-quart bags of Better Gro Special Orchid Mix along with some charcoal and chunky perlite or just an 8-quart bag of orchid bark, plus a bit of regular perlite. I aim for about a third of each ingredient to create a well-draining mix. Just a heads up, since I’m based in the US, I’m not sure about local sellers in Germany; nonetheless, this combo has worked wonders for me!
Try mixing in some orchid bark with your soil! It’s super chunky and lightweight, which means it allows for plenty of air circulation and great drainage for your plants.
Where did you buy your chunky perlite?