Orchid Care – Growing Orchids That Are Guaranteed To Thrive
Species By Species Guide To Orchid Care:
Cattleya Orchid Care
Cattleya thrives on 1500 to 2000 foot candles bright filtered light, with no direct sunlight. The leaves should be light green in color, leathery and stiff in texture. They like a warm environment, preferably temperatures between 85 to 90 F daytime and dropping to between 55 and 60 F at night time.
Allow the soil and plants to dry out between watering then give a thorough watering.
Cymbidium Orchid Care
This orchid requires higher strength foot candles between 2000-4000. They can be grown outdoors in areas where there is no heavy frost. They require filtered sunlight with good air movement and plenty of light for flowering. Color of foliage is yellow/green. They can withstand night temperatures between 45-50 F during fall and winter in order for them to flower. Day temperatures should be at least 20 to 30 deg higher.
Water when almost dry and protect them from heavy rains. They don’t like to stand in water. Fertilize at the same ratio as the Cattleya Orchid.
Dendrobium Orchid Care
These orchids thrive indoors with foot candle lights of 1500 to 3000 with no direct sunlight. Day time temps should be between 75 to 85 F and night temps approximately 60 F.
Masdevallia Orchid Care
These require 1500 foot candles, bright filtered light and no direct sun. The color of the leaves should be medium green in colour. This plant needs a cooler environment, good air circulation, and daytime temperatures of between 70 to 75 degrees F and night time about 50 degrees F. Masdevallia orchids should be kept moist at all times, but not swamped with water.
Oncidium Orchid Care
The Oncidium requires 1500 foot candles, bright filtered light and no direct sun. The leaves should remain light green in colour. The Oncidium Orchid can tolerate a vast range of temperatures. Daytime temps should be between 75 to 85 degrees F and night temps should be no lower than 55 F. Oncidium Orchids must be allowed to dry out between each watering. During active growing season you can increase the watering period.
Odontoglossum Orchid Care
This plant requires bright filtered light and no direct sun. Leaves should be a medium green colour with a slight pinkish tinge. They like a cool environment and good air circulation. Daytime temps must be 70 to 75 F. Night temps must be 50 to 55 F. Water when plants are almost dry. Don’t let them dry completely.
Paphipoedilum Orchid Care
These require lower foot candles between 600 to 2000 candles with bright filtered light and no direct sun. They have a mottled leaf. Preferred daytime temp is 75-80 F and night temperatures approximately 50 to 60 F.
Phalaaenopsis Orchid Care
This plant will require modest 1000 foot candles of bright filtered light and no direct sun. The leaves should be a glossy medium green in color and each leaf should increase in size. It needs warmth with plenty of good air movement, and temps of 75 to 95 F daytimes.
Vanda Orchid Care
2000 to 4000 foot candles with bright light are required and no direct sun. The leaves are light green in colour. Day time temperatures should be warm 75 to 85 F. At night it must not drop below 60 F. For fertilization follow instructions on package for each species. Repotting is required every 2 years.
Photographs by Greg Steenberg
Orchid Care -The Orchid and Its Care
The orchid is known to be one of the most difficult flowers to grow on your own without the advantage of a greenhouse. The orchid is a delicately beautiful flowering plant that comes in a variety of colours, which include pink, purple, yellow, orange and white. Caring for orchids takes time and patient. Orchid care involves just the right soil, lighting and temperature.
For correct orchid care you need to establish an area that is pretty humid. You may have to purchase a humidity tray or make you own if you do not own or have access to a greenhouse. To make your own humidity tray you will need to fill a tray with some rocks and some water. You can also mist your plant with a misting spray bottle periodically. Watering your orchid should be done with filtered water for best results. To see if it requires water you can check the orchid’s roots. For optimal growth of your orchid plant it is best to keep the plant indoors.
Fertilizing your orchid is a necessity for strong blooms. You can get fertilizer that is especially for orchids from your local garden centre. You will need to water the plant after the application about three times. After taking your garden centres advice, you will probably have to fertilize a second time, and after the second fertilization, you would repeat the watering process three times again. Neglecting to do this will result in unabsorbed fertilizer. This in turn will affect the orchid’s well being. It is best to put the plant in a pot that leaves some room around the roots so that they have room to grow. Change the pot every couple of years for best results or if the roots are protruding out of the soil, then you know its time to repot.
Caring for orchids indoors does require adequate lighting, but not too much along with adequate ventilation. The best lighting for your orchid care would be on or near a window sill for approximately four or five hours each day, try not to leave the bloom in direct sunlight, a window some form or light curtain would be ideal. You will know if your orchid is getting too much light as the leaves will change from being an medium olive green to a dark green and possible start to wilt. To ventilate the room properly the windows open slightly to allow fresh air to reach your plants. If it’s very hot, a fan circulating cooler air would be ideal.
If your orchid attracts pests you can help to rid them naturally by putting your orchid in another pot. You can then mix water and a small bit of liquid dish soap together. You can then add a very tiny bit of bleach to this and put it in a spray bottle. You would then spray this on your plant sparingly, but please don’t leave your orchid dripping wet, always dry the joint of the leaves to the stem. Also as this is a delicate part of the plant, use a cotton bud to soak up any excess moisture. This is one of the only times I would recommend spraying your orchid.
Since there are many different types of orchids, orchid care means that you will have to customize your care according to the particular species of the plant. Different orchids do well with less water than others and vice versa. Fertilization, humidity, temperature and lighting issues will all be determined based on its type. This general overview of orchid care may vary, depending upon the particular species of orchid that your have.
Caring For Orchids – 10 Tips To Help Your Plants Thrive
Caring for orchids requires some degree of patience and special attention to the needs of this delicate plant. You will likely hear many different things when you announce that you are planning to grow orchids. Don’t let some of the things you hear scare you and make you think twice about orchids, and don’t give up before you even get started.
Caring for orchids does not have to be difficult. It doesn’t have to mean headaches and failure. It doesn’t have to be hard at all if you just start out prepared and armed with some great orchid care advice.
The following are 10 tips that you can use to help with caring for orchids and assist you to grow the most beautiful orchids that will thrive and grow. No-one will know that you are not a professional orchid grower!
1. Learn As Much As Possible
Learn as much as possible. One of the biggest keys to success when caring for orchids is getting to know about them. You should learn about the different varieties and find out as much as possible about the specific variety you will be growing. This will help you to figure out any special needs or care that your orchid will need.
2. Don’t Mist The Petals
Don’t mist the petals. Many people claim misting the petals is something you should do when caring for orchids, but in reality it will shorten the life of the bloom, so don’t do it.
3. Changing Soil
When caring for orchids, get the best growth from changing soil when needed. No matter what type of soil or planting medium you choose, make sure that you change it at the very least every two years or when the roots are showing in the top of the soil. This will encourage growth and plant health.
4. Different Coloured Bottles
Try using different coloured bottles for different sprays you use. By using different coloured bottle, you are less likely to accidentally spray the plant with insecticide instead of water.
5. Watering
Caring for orchids means watering in the morning. Watering in the morning allows heat and air to use the water all day and helps to discourage mould.
6. Bamboo Skewers
Keep tabs on water levels with bamboo skewers. The bamboo will soak up water and allow you to easily know how much moisture is in your plant. Just stick the skewer in the plant and pull it out to check the dampness.
7. Room Temperature
Use room temperature water. Using water that is too cold or hot can shock your plant. In cold weather, leave water sitting out for a while before you water the plants.
8. Pruning
Prune correctly. Make sure to cut at the bottom of leaves instead of at the elbows. This encourages larger blooms.
9. Humidity
Remember humidity. Orchids need high humidity. When caring for orchids you need to keep it at 40 to 70% humidity.
10. Air Flow
Allow the air to flow. You cannot crowd orchids. They need air movement. When you keep them in an area that is too stuffy, you will see unhealthy side effects.
Caring for orchids may not be as simple as caring for other types of plants, but it is well worth it. Those beautiful stunning blooms are the reward for all you tender loving care.