Soils to Use for Ice Orchids

Pots

• Use heavy pots with drainage holes for orchids to balance their growth and ensure consistent drainage. Orchids fail in standing water or tight foundations. If you're repotting an orchid, move it to a pot that's one size larger than the old one.

Potting Matter

• Orchid potting media should provide loose, airy conditions with quick drainage and room for root growth. Ice orchids don't grow in traditional soil, but thrive in non-soil organic foundations like wood chips, bark, fern matter, sand and peat moss. Orchids also grow in non-organic matter like perlite, vermiculite and gravel. Choose an orchid-specific potting media or mix your own with several of these ingredients, but don't plant the Ice orchids in soil.

Potting

• Spread fern matter, peat moss, gravel or other potting material in the new pot until it's half full. Pull the Ice orchid from its old pot, brush any old potting material off and trim dry, damaged or dead roots. Place the orchid in the new pot and spread its roots over the potting media. Gently pack or sprinkle new potting media over the roots to fill the pot. Use a bamboo stake to secure the new potting and to support future flower stalks.

Maintenance

• Keep Ice orchids in spots with bright, indirect or partial light and temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Orchids enjoy morning light and afternoon shade, and indirect or artificial lighting. Water Ice orchids with three ice cubes every week to avoid overwatering the plant. Check to make sure that the foundation is dry before you water the orchid. Use water-soluble orchid, 3-1-1 or 1-1-1 fertilizer for orchids at 1/4 manufacturer recommended rates. Feed ice orchids once a month, or once a week during active growth phases. Repot orchids when they outgrow their pots, or every two years. Over time, organic potting materials lose their structure and nutrition, and require replacement.