A lot of gardeners and enthusiasts believe that an orchid must be planted and allowed to grow outdoors, but this is a false belief as orchids that are allowed to grow indoors can also thrive. An example of two species of indoor orchids are the Lady´s Slipper and Moth Orchids, they are common for indoor planting amongst keen growers because;
- These orchids are a little more happy to grow in a varied atmosphere and ambient than either species.
- The stems and stalks of these species produce some very elegant bloom when grown in the correct manner.
Summarizing these keen Indoor Growers
The Lady´s Slipper – Overlooked by many orchid growing newcomers because they are blind to the natural beauty and how unique this plant really is, the hairiness and bobbles on the stems make the orchid a very exotic-looking plant, and an adult orchid will display many blooms throughout the year making them loved among enthusiasts, Simple to grow this plant can make anyone look like an orchid pro.
Moth Orchids – Most people have spotted this species in the nursery without knowledge, with a variety of colors all with a light or faded palette the middle can often have the opposite of this making them a fantastic view, at times they can be seen to be blooming on more than one occasion each year.
Caring for the Indoor Orchids
Despite the fact that your orchid is inside you must remember that the atmosphere is still the correct growing conditions as best possible to ensure the success of your orchid and its health. Consider the following in these circumstances;
Light from the Sun – As with any naturally grown plants, it is vital for your plant to receive light for it to be able to grow and remain strong and healthy. With this said any orchid does not require vast amounts of sunrays, and those it does receive are required to be filtered to avoid burning. The orchid has a real sensitivity to sun.
A Humid Atmosphere – This can be a problematic issue for any orchid. In the day orchids grown inside must remain in a humid environment, let´s look at ways to ensure that your orchids receive the humidity that is required;
- A tray of small stones beneath the orchid is a good start.
- A fine mist regularly sprayed on the plant is also beneficial
- The utilization of a air humidifier can keep the atmosphere at a required level
Throughout the night keeping the roots in a dried condition will prevent disease. The correct levels of humidity are required for orchids inside or out.
Ambient Temperature – This factor will vary according to the species that you are growing, for example a Moth Orchid will be happy with a day temperature of 70 – 85 degrees, reducing to 60 – 65 through the night whereas a Lady Slipper will prefer to have day temperatures of 60 – 65 and lowering to 50 or 55 through the night. Bear this in mind with how you like your house temperature and the surrounding features of your windows.
Water – The watering method of your orchid is vital; the root of the plant must remain dampened throughout the ‘active’ period of the orchid and watered twice weekly at a minimum. When the orchid is dormant a small watering of biweekly will suffice.
Fertilizer – Throughout the growth of your orchid using fertilizer one to two times a week is advised throughout the active period. And when the plant is not active simple occasional fertilization is fine. Using between a quarter and half strength solution is best, or the use of a specially designed formula if you can obtain this.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Correct Orchid Plant Care: Seven Mistakes Orchid Growers Tend To Make
When you want to spruce your home up with plants, consider the orchid plant. These plants are quite attractive and a pleasure to look at. On top of that, they are easy to care for and require little time or effort to make them stay that way. Some orchid growers who don’t know about their orchid breeds requirements may be less successful in producing beautiful blooms. The reason is that they make very common but avoidable mistakes. If you want make sure that you achieve proper orchid plant care, then it’s vitally important you know what seven things you need to avoid to make this happen.
Mistake 1 – Plant Is In Wrong Growing Medium
Whenever you are growing orchids, it’s important that you get a potting medium specifically designed for orchids. Mediums that contain bark and moss will do just fine. If you plant your orchids in regular soil and/or compost, then you can cause irreparable damage to the plant’s roots.
Mistake 2 – Growing In Wrong Temperatures
Different varieties of orchids cannot thrive in the same temperatures. Each species requires specific temperatures so make sure you know what temperatures your breed of occur will thrive in. Don’t forget that orchids need a drop in temperatures in the overnight hours and during their dormant (resting) stage.
Mistake 3 – Giving Them Too Much Light
Orchid blooms like a lot of light but they do not like direct sunlight. Make sure that you give them plenty of light but diffuse it by placing a shade over the window. Why do they not like direct sunlight? The sunlight can cause the leaves and flowers to burn. Make sure to choose the location of your plant wisely and use shades whenever needed.
Mistake 4 – Overwatering Your Plant
When you overwater your plant, you’re slowly killing it. While moisture is a necessity for your orchid plants, you don’t want to overwater them. Each orchid variety will require different amounts of water and before you water your plants, check the growing medium to ensure if it is still wet or dry. If you don’t, you run the risk of increasing the moisture levels. Remember that temperature and humidity will affect how much moisture is in the plants’ potting medium.
Mistake 5 – Not Giving It Its Required Humidity
The natural presence of humidity is not enough to sustain an orchid’s growth. These plants love humid air so you must copy the humidity levels seen in the plant’s natural habitat. You can take some steps to boost these levels by placing wet pebbles near the plant, have a bowl of water near it or using a decorative water fountain to give the room higher humidity levels.
Mistake 6 – Not Enough Circulating Air
When an orchid fails to have enough circulating air, there is a high chance for fungal diseases to crop up. Make sure to give your orchid plenty of ventilation by doing one of two things:
First, place it near a window that gets plenty of air.
Second, use a fan to get the room air circulating.
Mistake 7 – Forgetting The Orchid Fertilizer
When you grow orchids inside, don’t rely on the plant’s growing medium to give it all the nutrients it needs. Orchids will deplete them quickly. Make sure to feed it fertilizer at least once a week to keep up the proper orchid plant care. If you’re unsure about how to apply it to your orchid variety, seek out additional information and help to make sure you get the right kind of fertilizer and apply it based on your type of orchid.
If your goal is to grow orchids, make sure to know everything you can about their needs and preferences before you attempt to grow them. While you can do trial and error, you’d be allowing these flowers to die. Instead, give your orchids a chance to survive by speaking with local greenhouse staff and reading up on different Internet forums.
Mistake 1 – Plant Is In Wrong Growing Medium
Whenever you are growing orchids, it’s important that you get a potting medium specifically designed for orchids. Mediums that contain bark and moss will do just fine. If you plant your orchids in regular soil and/or compost, then you can cause irreparable damage to the plant’s roots.
Mistake 2 – Growing In Wrong Temperatures
Different varieties of orchids cannot thrive in the same temperatures. Each species requires specific temperatures so make sure you know what temperatures your breed of occur will thrive in. Don’t forget that orchids need a drop in temperatures in the overnight hours and during their dormant (resting) stage.
Mistake 3 – Giving Them Too Much Light
Orchid blooms like a lot of light but they do not like direct sunlight. Make sure that you give them plenty of light but diffuse it by placing a shade over the window. Why do they not like direct sunlight? The sunlight can cause the leaves and flowers to burn. Make sure to choose the location of your plant wisely and use shades whenever needed.
Mistake 4 – Overwatering Your Plant
When you overwater your plant, you’re slowly killing it. While moisture is a necessity for your orchid plants, you don’t want to overwater them. Each orchid variety will require different amounts of water and before you water your plants, check the growing medium to ensure if it is still wet or dry. If you don’t, you run the risk of increasing the moisture levels. Remember that temperature and humidity will affect how much moisture is in the plants’ potting medium.
Mistake 5 – Not Giving It Its Required Humidity
The natural presence of humidity is not enough to sustain an orchid’s growth. These plants love humid air so you must copy the humidity levels seen in the plant’s natural habitat. You can take some steps to boost these levels by placing wet pebbles near the plant, have a bowl of water near it or using a decorative water fountain to give the room higher humidity levels.
Mistake 6 – Not Enough Circulating Air
When an orchid fails to have enough circulating air, there is a high chance for fungal diseases to crop up. Make sure to give your orchid plenty of ventilation by doing one of two things:
First, place it near a window that gets plenty of air.
Second, use a fan to get the room air circulating.
Mistake 7 – Forgetting The Orchid Fertilizer
When you grow orchids inside, don’t rely on the plant’s growing medium to give it all the nutrients it needs. Orchids will deplete them quickly. Make sure to feed it fertilizer at least once a week to keep up the proper orchid plant care. If you’re unsure about how to apply it to your orchid variety, seek out additional information and help to make sure you get the right kind of fertilizer and apply it based on your type of orchid.
If your goal is to grow orchids, make sure to know everything you can about their needs and preferences before you attempt to grow them. While you can do trial and error, you’d be allowing these flowers to die. Instead, give your orchids a chance to survive by speaking with local greenhouse staff and reading up on different Internet forums.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Care Advice for Dendrobium Orchids
The epiphyte species of orchid are known for liking the surroundings of trees and rockeries, one member of this species is the Dendrobium orchid. Despite the liking for, and living among these surfaces the Dendrobium, and the epiphyte species are in no way considered to be parasites.
This is because the plant will retrieve its required nutrients from other means but not the tree or object it is attached to, for this reason they are known as ‘air plants’ – Dendrobiums can be found in the following locations;
- Australia
- Borneo
- Far East
- New Guinea
- New Zealand
- Philippines
There are more than 1,200 species of Dendrobiums with a vast array of shades and differing from small to large petals, a few of the orchids are known to many others are not so well renowned.
This species is great for newcomers to the orchid growing scene, as dendrobium care is very simple, but with this said experienced orchid growers will still benefit from them with their beauty when in bloom, after putting in the effort there is plenty to get out of these orchids. Another real treat with the Dendrobiums is they can grow indoors or out and still flourish.
A fascinating fact of Dendrobiums: The common pseudo bulb is not found with them, but they have ‘pups’, small knobs that protrude from the stem, this allows them to proliferate.
The maintaining of damp roots is a must with any orchid, until the plant lays dormant, and then the root must be allowed to become fully dry. Throughout this period you will see your orchid’s stems resemble bamboo, then when it returns to an active plant again the stems will begin to show swelling and watering can commence to dampen the roots again.
The best and most effective way to be sure if your orchid is requiring water is to test the weight of its pot in your hands, a light pot means that water is required, and the opposite means that the orchid has sufficient water for the time being. This is a tried and tested method that proves to be reliable, and has been over many years, as you gain experience you will be able to know by looking at your plant if water is needed.
Misting your plants regularly is vital, none more so than through the summer days, the summer time causes the orchids to become dry rapidly, so a gentle spray daily is very important for baby or unhealthy plants.
There are experienced growers that believe planting the seeds in a not so heavy soil and wetting it once is sufficient until the roots begin to show, and in the mean time spraying or misting them daily.
Any beginner can and will benefit from dampening, the process of wetting the area around the pot containing the orchids creating an atmosphere of moisture – a very natural way for your orchids to receive their nutrients.
And monitoring the PH levels of the water is a vital part of dendrobium care also; the ideal level should be 4.5 to 5.0, so a little more to acid than alkali. You may find upon checking that you need to adjust the levels for your water, seek help in achieving this.
This is because the plant will retrieve its required nutrients from other means but not the tree or object it is attached to, for this reason they are known as ‘air plants’ – Dendrobiums can be found in the following locations;
- Australia
- Borneo
- Far East
- New Guinea
- New Zealand
- Philippines
There are more than 1,200 species of Dendrobiums with a vast array of shades and differing from small to large petals, a few of the orchids are known to many others are not so well renowned.
This species is great for newcomers to the orchid growing scene, as dendrobium care is very simple, but with this said experienced orchid growers will still benefit from them with their beauty when in bloom, after putting in the effort there is plenty to get out of these orchids. Another real treat with the Dendrobiums is they can grow indoors or out and still flourish.
A fascinating fact of Dendrobiums: The common pseudo bulb is not found with them, but they have ‘pups’, small knobs that protrude from the stem, this allows them to proliferate.
The maintaining of damp roots is a must with any orchid, until the plant lays dormant, and then the root must be allowed to become fully dry. Throughout this period you will see your orchid’s stems resemble bamboo, then when it returns to an active plant again the stems will begin to show swelling and watering can commence to dampen the roots again.
The best and most effective way to be sure if your orchid is requiring water is to test the weight of its pot in your hands, a light pot means that water is required, and the opposite means that the orchid has sufficient water for the time being. This is a tried and tested method that proves to be reliable, and has been over many years, as you gain experience you will be able to know by looking at your plant if water is needed.
Misting your plants regularly is vital, none more so than through the summer days, the summer time causes the orchids to become dry rapidly, so a gentle spray daily is very important for baby or unhealthy plants.
There are experienced growers that believe planting the seeds in a not so heavy soil and wetting it once is sufficient until the roots begin to show, and in the mean time spraying or misting them daily.
Any beginner can and will benefit from dampening, the process of wetting the area around the pot containing the orchids creating an atmosphere of moisture – a very natural way for your orchids to receive their nutrients.
And monitoring the PH levels of the water is a vital part of dendrobium care also; the ideal level should be 4.5 to 5.0, so a little more to acid than alkali. You may find upon checking that you need to adjust the levels for your water, seek help in achieving this.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Various Types of Potting Material For Your Orchid
Orchids are said to be known for their beauty, delicacy and elegance and all these factors are true regardless of the species. It is also mentioned they are extremely tropical but this fact remains debatable as they can be found in many areas of the world, including your back garden. They can be grown anywhere with the enthusiast having the knowledge to ensure they remain healthy and grown into a strong plant.
Whilst it is vital to know how to care for your orchid you should also bear in mind they are easier to grow than your average roses. You just have to be aware of their individual, and in some cases, unique needs in terms of planting and cultivating. Each species has its own requirements and so to give a step by step guide on planting orchids would only lead you to failure, as your experience grows you will become aware of each species needs.
The basics for when you start out in orchid planting are as follows, and remember these can vary slightly from species to species but will give you a foundation to work on;
- Seeking the best planting ground for your plant
- Establishing the optimal climate for your plant
- Providing the correct levels of humidity
- Sufficient light supply for your plant
- Adequate, but not excess watering of your plant
These foundations will help you create the perfect, healthy orchid but all of the above must coincide with the basics of the correct potting methods – this will depend on the weather, climate and conditions of where you will grow your orchid.
Potting Material for Orchid Planting
It is a certainty that you will have questions and doubts about what are the best pots to be used for your orchids and therefore it s paramount to visit your local gardening centre to se the options available to you.
The least expensive and most simple method of potting s through the use of plastic pots, and also great for indoor planting as they generally have only one water drain at the base, remembering that your plant requires good drainage this is vital to have. Planting outdoors will mean you want to look at alternatives to plastic as conditions such as wind can affect them severely.
Outdoor planting can bring clay pots into play in a great way, also with a hole in the bottom for drainage and enough weight to hold them against wind resistance. The holes in clay pots can often be found in the side as well as the bottom making them a great drainer, and the water has a tendency to evaporate quickly from clay, and also can add a beautiful surrounding to your plant.
Transparent Polythaline Containers – Although the pot itself is great, they are not as suitable as the other options that have been mentioned due to water drainage and appearance, but to point a good factor of these the sun can easily access the roots which is an important part of growth.
Basket Pots – Ideal for trailing, or hanging orchids, on most occasions the lining of the pots are ideal for drainage and they can often be purchased without the lining for you to select your own.
Before selecting your pot bear in mind the species you are thinking of growing and their individual requirements, an expert can guide you further if you wish to gain more confidence.
Potting Soil
So, you have selected the best potting container for your plant, now you need to choose the best inorganic material for them to rest ads grow within – using normal potting soil can be a dangerous mistake as they store far too much water for your orchids requirements, instead consider some of the following;
- Coconut husks
- Fir bark
- Redwood bark
- Sphagnum moss
- Tree fern fiber
These may not seem the best option, but they are dry, and they dry out easily making them a great home for your orchid.
Inorganic material is also needed to help the plant remain healthy, using some that provide great light for the roots and drain easily are the best options. As your knowledge of orchid planting grows so will your knowledge of great combinations to achieve this, consider these;
- Charcoal
- Vermiculite
- Heavy Lave Rock
Each of these plays an important role in maintaining a healthy root.
As with organic materials, there are choices of inorganic matter for you to select from, seek advice from the garden center assistants to be sure of your right selection.
If you see the roots becoming tight amongst your orchid pots there is no worry, orchids actually enjoy having a close root, so avoid repotting unless you see it as vital to their survival. Planting orchids is not complex, it just requires an understanding.
Whilst it is vital to know how to care for your orchid you should also bear in mind they are easier to grow than your average roses. You just have to be aware of their individual, and in some cases, unique needs in terms of planting and cultivating. Each species has its own requirements and so to give a step by step guide on planting orchids would only lead you to failure, as your experience grows you will become aware of each species needs.
The basics for when you start out in orchid planting are as follows, and remember these can vary slightly from species to species but will give you a foundation to work on;
- Seeking the best planting ground for your plant
- Establishing the optimal climate for your plant
- Providing the correct levels of humidity
- Sufficient light supply for your plant
- Adequate, but not excess watering of your plant
These foundations will help you create the perfect, healthy orchid but all of the above must coincide with the basics of the correct potting methods – this will depend on the weather, climate and conditions of where you will grow your orchid.
Potting Material for Orchid Planting
It is a certainty that you will have questions and doubts about what are the best pots to be used for your orchids and therefore it s paramount to visit your local gardening centre to se the options available to you.
The least expensive and most simple method of potting s through the use of plastic pots, and also great for indoor planting as they generally have only one water drain at the base, remembering that your plant requires good drainage this is vital to have. Planting outdoors will mean you want to look at alternatives to plastic as conditions such as wind can affect them severely.
Outdoor planting can bring clay pots into play in a great way, also with a hole in the bottom for drainage and enough weight to hold them against wind resistance. The holes in clay pots can often be found in the side as well as the bottom making them a great drainer, and the water has a tendency to evaporate quickly from clay, and also can add a beautiful surrounding to your plant.
Transparent Polythaline Containers – Although the pot itself is great, they are not as suitable as the other options that have been mentioned due to water drainage and appearance, but to point a good factor of these the sun can easily access the roots which is an important part of growth.
Basket Pots – Ideal for trailing, or hanging orchids, on most occasions the lining of the pots are ideal for drainage and they can often be purchased without the lining for you to select your own.
Before selecting your pot bear in mind the species you are thinking of growing and their individual requirements, an expert can guide you further if you wish to gain more confidence.
Potting Soil
So, you have selected the best potting container for your plant, now you need to choose the best inorganic material for them to rest ads grow within – using normal potting soil can be a dangerous mistake as they store far too much water for your orchids requirements, instead consider some of the following;
- Coconut husks
- Fir bark
- Redwood bark
- Sphagnum moss
- Tree fern fiber
These may not seem the best option, but they are dry, and they dry out easily making them a great home for your orchid.
Inorganic material is also needed to help the plant remain healthy, using some that provide great light for the roots and drain easily are the best options. As your knowledge of orchid planting grows so will your knowledge of great combinations to achieve this, consider these;
- Charcoal
- Vermiculite
- Heavy Lave Rock
Each of these plays an important role in maintaining a healthy root.
As with organic materials, there are choices of inorganic matter for you to select from, seek advice from the garden center assistants to be sure of your right selection.
If you see the roots becoming tight amongst your orchid pots there is no worry, orchids actually enjoy having a close root, so avoid repotting unless you see it as vital to their survival. Planting orchids is not complex, it just requires an understanding.
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