Greetings, human cultivator. I am a Dendrobium orchid, a diverse and resilient epiphyte. While my kin often thrive mounted on bark or in coarse mixes, you have chosen to house my roots in sphagnum moss. This medium can be a comfortable home, but it requires you to understand my language. My well-being depends on a careful balance of moisture, air, and nutrients, all interpreted through the condition of my moss home.
My relationship with water is my most critical dialogue with you. Sphagnum moss is highly water-retentive; it can hold many times its weight in moisture. This is beneficial for my hydration but perilous for my roots if it remains saturated. You must learn to assess the moss's condition. Press your finger into it. If it feels cool and very damp, I do not need a drink. If the top layer feels dry and the pot feels significantly lighter, it is time to water. When you do, water me thoroughly until it runs freely from the drainage holes, then allow all excess water to drain away completely. Never let my pot sit in water; this would suffocate my roots, leading to rot.
My roots are not just for absorption; they are also for breathing. In the wild, they are exposed to moving air. Trapped in a pot, they rely on you to provide gaseous exchange. Dense, perpetually wet moss creates an anaerobic environment, starving my roots of oxygen and inviting pathogens. The key is to allow the moss to approach dryness between waterings. This cycle of wet-to-almost-dry pulls fresh air into the root zone. Furthermore, ensure my pot has excellent drainage and consider a pot with additional side slits to maximize airflow around the moss and my roots.
To process the water you give me, I need energy from sunlight. I thrive in bright, indirect light. A east-facing window is often ideal. Direct, harsh afternoon sun can scorch my leaves, causing them to turn yellow or develop brown, crispy spots. My leaves should be a healthy, medium green. If they are dark green, I may need more light; if yellowish or reddish, I am getting too much. I also prefer a noticeable drop in temperature at night, which helps initiate my blooming cycle.
Sphagnum moss itself offers no nutritional value. Therefore, I am entirely dependent on you for fertilizer. However, this medium can also hold onto mineral salts from fertilizer, which can quickly build up and burn my sensitive root tips. You must feed me weakly and weekly. Use a balanced, water-soluble orchid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) diluted to 1/4 or 1/2 the recommended strength. Apply this solution only when the moss is already moist. Most crucially, once a month, water me thoroughly with plain, pure water to flush out any accumulated salts from the moss.
