How to Plant an Orchid in Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum moss is a popular medium to use when potting orchids. Sphagnum moss has a delicate system of capillary tubes that make it quite absorbent. Its long and fibrous leafy stems grow so close together in their natural setting that they can form a "bog mat" that will support the weight of animals walking on it. Sphagnum moss is fairly sterile, has a low pH, and soaks up water like a sponge. These characteristics make it suitable for orchid growing. When the orchid roots are in contact with sphagnum moss, the roots have easy access to all the water in the moss.

Sphagnum moss
Bucket
Flowerpot
Bamboo stick

Instructions

- 1
  Put dried sphagnum moss in a bucket of water and let it soak up water until it has expanded considerably. Wring the excess water out of the moss. Now it is ready to use for potting.
- 2
  Hold the orchid by the stem while you weave sphagnum moss loosely through and around the orchid roots. Use enough moss so the plant will remain standing and fit snugly in the flowerpot, but do not pack or compress the moss fibers. The moss should be spongy and aerated so air can get to the orchid roots. Try to keep the moss fibers vertical as you are working.
- 3
  Work the orchid root and sphagnum moss mass into the flowerpot. Use a bamboo stick or your thumbs to push it into the pot.
- 4
  Prevent the moss from becoming completely dry between waterings. If it does get dried out, you will need to wet it again by watering every five minutes for about an hour or soak it in a pail for that long.
- 5
  Repot orchids growing in sphagnum moss about every 12 months.

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