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It really depends on the type of orchid you have, but the reality is that regular soil kills most of them in weeks - the roots rot because it stays waterlogged. Special substrate (pine bark, charcoal, sphagnum) drains quickly and lets air through, which is essential. If you don't want to spend money on ready-made substrate, mix regular soil with cork or even pieces of old kitchen sponge to create air pockets - I've seen it work, but you have to water carefully and let it dry between waterings.
Special orchid substrate makes a real difference because they don't like regular soil - they need something looser that drains fast, like bark or a mix with charcoal. Normal soil holds too much moisture and the roots rot easily. If you want your orchid to actually thrive, it's definitely worth investing in that specific substrate; it's cheap and lasts a pretty long time.
The truth is that not all orchids have the same requirements, but regular soil really is a risk because it compacts and rots the roots! What works well is mixing regular soil with some cork pieces or even that construction insulation stuff (like chopped polystyrene) - it ends up way more aerated than pure tree bark and it's a lot cheaper. Orchids don't really care much about soil fertility, what they want is space to breathe, so this DIY combination does the trick just fine!
Orchids get root rot in regular soil because moisture gets trapped there - it's pretty much guaranteed. I tried it once with normal potting soil just to see, and in three weeks the roots were soft and black. Ever since I use pine bark or a mix that keeps everything well-aerated, and the plants do great.
The thing is, orchids grow on trees in nature, so their roots are used to drying out quickly between waterings. Regular soil doesn't let that happen - it gets compacted, holds too much water, and that's the end of it. Special substrate costs like $20 to $30 a bag and lasts for several pots, so it doesn't break the bank.
If you don't want to spend money, you can improvise with tree bark you find in parks (as long as it's not painted or treated), mixed with a bit of aquarium activated charcoal. But honestly, ready-made substrate saves time and works - and your orchid will thank you by living for years instead of months.
If you don't want to spend money on a specific substrate, at least mix regular soil with something that increases drainage - some pieces of styrofoam, pine bark if you can get it, or even broken brick works. The thing is that orchids can't handle staying wet, so anything that prevents compaction already helps a lot, even if it's not the "ideal" substrate they sell out there.
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