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