Archive for the ‘Orchid care’ Category
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.
Phalaenopsis Orchid Care
One in a series of orchid care videos sponsored and presented by rePotme.com Orchid Supplies. Learn about the growth and bloom habits of the Phalaenopsis (moth) orchid and how to care for this plant in a home. Find additional orchid care information and buy orchid supplies at www.repotme.com.
Duration : 0:7:15
The Orchid Basics
Orchid is a fantastic plant because of its beautiful flower. However, orchid needs special cares and attention from growers in case they woud like it to grow up well and flower. Here are the basics to plant the lovely orchid.
Watering:
The single biggest reason for orchid problems is over watering. To prevent this, you must adjust your watering to the plant’s environment. The environment includes temperature, humidity, light, the type of pot and the type of media. For example, an orchid potted in peat/perlite mix in Florida requires much less water than one potted in straight bark in Arizona. Do not set a fixed watering schedule. Rather, remove the plant label from the pot and feel for moistness. If it does not feel almost completely dry, hold off your watering. Try to water only in the morning so that the plant has time to dry somewhat before dark. When you do water, you should give the plant at least the equivalent of 1/3 the volume of the pot. More is fine. Problems come not from the amount of water you give a plant, but with the frequency of watering. The orchid must get a chance to almost dry completely out before more water is added. With a few exceptions, such as with vandas in slat baskets, it is not a good idea to mist your orchid except in the early morning hours.
Drainage:
Proper watering can only take place if you have proper drainage to go with it. Do not let the orchid stay in a pot that does not allow water to freely flow out. Otherwise, the roots will never dry and rot will result. Look for a container with lots of holes in the bottom.
Fertilizing:
You can fertilize with your watering. A balanced formula works fine. Many others will work well too. If your fertilizer has a 20 as its first number, you can then mix it with a ratio of 1 teaspoon to a gallon of water. If the first number is a 10, mix 1 1/2 teaspoons to a gallon. If the first number is a 30 mix only a 1/2 teaspoon to a gallon of water to adjust for the difference in nitrogen. At least once a month, flush the plant from the top with plain water to rinse away the salt buildups. This is particularly necessary if the plant is potted in clay.
?
Temperature:
A good rule of thumb is this, if you are comfortable, so is the plant. Day temperatures in the seventy’s and eighty’s are generally ideal. However, each variety has its own ideal range, check the guidelines in this site or the Grower Ron Orchid Growing Kit for details about the specific orchid you are interested in. The warmer the temperature, the more water your plant will need. Generally temperatures under 50 will do damage to your orchid. Some, like Cymbidiums without flower spikes, can accept temperatures into the 30’s.
Light:
Orchids generally like as much indirect light as you can give them. Do not expose them to direct light. One good way to test whether an orchid is getting the right light is to feel the leaves. If they are hot, move the plant to a shadier spot. Another way is to look at leaf color. If the plant is a rich dark green, it is probably not getting enough light. Orchid leaves should be a light green color if they are getting enough light. Remember, the more heat and light, the more often you will need to water the plant, and the more air movement the plant will require.
nbsp;
Pots:
See references to watering above. The key is drainage. If you wish to use a decorative pot, let the orchid grow in a pot with good drainage, and only place the plant in the decorative pot when it will be shown. When guests leave, take it back out of the decorative pot. Note, a clay pot dries out faster than a plastic one. Orchids in clay should be watered more often. Moreover, clay has a tendency to promote the buildup of salts because of more evaporation. To compensate, flush the plant with plain water more often than in a plastic pot.
Potting Media:
There almost as many potting medias as there are varieties of orchids. Many will work well if you adjust your watering to match the media used. Some of the most common medias are bark, peat, sphagnum, and lava rock. Each has its own requirements. Pure bark and lava rock will dry out quickly, you might have to water as often as every other day if you are in an area of high temperature and low humidity. Peat and sphagnum will hold water much longer. Watering must be much less frequent. It is easier to over water plants in these medias. However, in a peat media, it is just as important not to let the media dry out completely. Once this happens, it becomes very difficult for water to penetrate the media and get to the roots. Grower Ron uses a custom blend of Western fir bark along with some peat and perlite. The bark allows for good drainage. The small amount of peat compensates for the quick drying of bark. He has found that this is one of the most forgiving medias, and is most adaptable to different climates.
Potting:
When your plant arrives from Worldwide Orchids, it does not need to be immediately repotted. Plants need repotting for two main reasons. Either the media has begun to break down, or the plant has grown too big for the pot. With phalaenopsis, the plant should probably be repotted no more than once a year. With cattleyas, it may be once every 2 to 3 years. Pot after blooming, when growing stage is active. Make sure you do not use too large a pot. Orchids prefer to be under potted rather than over potted. With monopodial plants like phalaenopsis, the plant should be centered in the pot. With sympodial plants like Cattleya or Oncidiums, the oldest growth should be placed along the edge of the pot with the newest growth toward the center of the pot. Trim off all brown dead roots before repotting. Remove the dried paper like covering from pseudobulbs where applicable because insects like to hide under this material. Moisten the media before potting. Do not tamp down the media too hard. You want to maintain drainage.
Flowering:
Each variety of orchid has its own flowering frequency and time. Different varieties have different flowering triggers. Some orchids, like phalaenopsis, are primarily triggered by temperature. They will naturally initiate spikes (given enough light) when the nights start to get cooler. Other varieties, like Cattleya, are primarily triggered by light. With plants like these, it is important not to locate them where there will be artificial light on at night, as it will confuse the plant and prevent flowering. Some varieties have internal blooming clocks, and will only bloom on their own schedule.
?
Leaf Care:
Periodically, wipe down the top and bottom of the plant leaves with warm, dish type, soapy water. Wipe with the grain of the leaf. This will keep the plant looking good, and will also help remove any insects that may be hiding on the plant. Try to avoid leaf shine. It closes the pores on the leaves.
?
Cactuslover
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/the-orchid-basics-140899.html
Orchid Feeding Tips and Guide
Some people will have you believe that orchids are hard to care for, and in some cases, that’s true. The old saying ‘feed weakly, weekly’ comes to mind when dealing with these unique flowers, but what do you feed? Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are vital ingredients for orchids, just like any other plant. The air and growing medium will provide some of this, but most orchids are pot grown, and will need supplemented. This is even more important for orchids since, instead of soil, they are planted in bark, rocks or sand.
Pellets, liquid and mulch are just a few forms that these supplements come in. Whichever type you choose, your objective is to maintain the proper balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Fertilizers and soil treatments will usually be labeled 30-10-10 or 15-5-5 and sometimes 20-20-20. These numbers indicate the percentages of the three elements that we discussed earlier. Do not be alarmed that the numbers don’t add up to 100%. The remaining percentage consists of whatever else the compound is made up of.
Some will allow orchids to grow on the bark of their trees, which is similar to how some (epiphytes) are found in the wild. These types will respond well to the stronger mixture (30-10-10). A medium mixture (20-20-20) is sufficient for those that are grown in pots. These levels may need to be adjusted at different times of year.
Try using a 10-30-20 mixture at the end of Summer to strengthen those last blooms of the season. It’s also a good idea in the spring, before the first blooms, to provide some extra nutrients to get them started.
Great care should be taken when fertilizing since orchids are such sensitive plants. You will risk fertilizer burn if you over do it. Fertilize your plants once a week, with the first one of every month at full strength. Then, for the next three weeks, dilute the mixture to one quarter of that. It’s also a good idea to rinse out any unwanted salt residue with water once a month.
The elements in the fertilizer will react with the elements already present in the soil to create salts. These salts will prevent water absorption, and cause other harmful biochemical reactions as well. It should not be much of a problem in small amounts, but letting it get out of hand will harm your plants.
If the label on your fertilizer lists something called ‘potash’, this is merely another name for the element called potassium.
Since it dissolves well in water, potash will usually need to be provided often and in different forms. Liquid potash comes in a convenient spray that can be used on the leaves or directly on the soil.
If you’re not sure of how much fertilizer is necessary, remember that you will do more damage by applying too much than too little. Start with a small amount and adjust it up from there. Usually your fertilizer will come with easy to follow directions that should help you get the mixture just right.
Moses Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/orchid-feeding-tips-and-guide-691566.html
The Basics Of Orchid Care
Orchids are exotic plants that have thrived on this planet for millions of years but many people are reluctant to grow them as they do not understand the basics of orchid care. While orchids can be challenging to grow, their care is really not that complicated and if you understand what they need to florish, you, too, can enjoy these beautiful and fragrant plants.
Watering
One of the big mistakes that people make is over watering their orchids. People assume that since they are tropical plants they need a lot of water and this is not necessarily the case. While they do appreciate the humid environment, over watering can kill them.
The amount of watering necessary depends on the temperature any type of orchid a general rule of thumb is to water once a week. You may want to water more frequently in the summer and a little bit less in the winter. The Cymbidium, Miltonia, Odontoglossum and Paphiopedilum varieties like to be kept with the soil a bit moist even between wanterings while the Ascocenda, Vanda and Phalaenopsis prefer to have their soil become dry in between.
Fertilizing
Proper fertilization is an important part of orchid care as it is for caring for any plant. You want to be sure that you use a fertilizer that is formulated specifically for orchids and follow the directions to the tee.
Fertilizing too much or too little could harm your plant.
Light
Providing your orchids with the right amount of light is important for its care as well as to be sure that it blooms. Some orchids like the dendrobiums and cattleyas like to have a lot of light so you want to place them in a south facing window but take care that their leaves do not burn in the hot summer sun. Paphiopedilums and phalaaenopsis, on the other hand, prefer less light so you want to make sure that they are placed further away from the window. If you notice your good leaves are a dark green this can be an indication that they are not gettingg enough light while a more reddish tone might indicate that they are getting too much light. Generally speaking, you want your work is to get about 12 hours of light a day. if you cannot provide them with natural sunlight you can always get a growing light but be sure that you do not leave it on for more than 12 hours.
Repotting
If you take good care of your orchids they may last for several years and you want to think about repotting them every two years. You want to wait until the plant is not in bloom. Choose a pot that is a bit larger than the one you currently have an orchid and and be sure to remove all the dead roots before putting it In the new pot. Let it adjust to his new home for about a week before you start with your watering and fertilization schedule.
Basic orchid care is not that different from caring for any other plant. Just like other plants they need light water and food as well as a proper home with adequate room for their roots to spread. Getting a good system in place for watering and fertilizing is a great way to ensure that you be able to enjoy these beautiful plants for many years.
Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/the-basics-of-orchid-care-80252.html
Sonia’s Garden — Basic Orchid Care
Join Sonia Uyterhoeven, Gardener for Public Programs at the New York Botanical Garden as she goes over the basics of growing an orchid at home.
Duration : 0:3:50