Savvy Gardening: Garden Ideas, Tips, Pictures, and More » Growing Orchids

Learn How To Repot Orchids In Five Simple Steps

Jennifer — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:15:19 +0000

There are different types of orchids and accordingly there are different requirements for repotting. Orchids such as Dendrobium, Pahiopedilum, Miltonia and Phalenopsis can do with annual repotting while Cattleya, Odontoglossum, and Oncidum need repotting once every two years. Orchids such as Cymbidium and Vanda would do well if repotting was done every third year.

Keep in mind that when you report an orchid plant your intention would be to provide new and fresh media rather then a larger pot. Most orchids do not grow well if they have too large pot as then they would concentrate on root development and stop growing upwards. For orchids such as the Phalaenopsis that have roots capable of photosynthesis you could have transparent pots to allow light reach the plant’s roots.

How To Repot Orchids The Easy Way?

It is actually easy if you know how to repot orchids; it takes just about five simple steps and you are done.

Step 1: For the first step you would need to have a pot ready; this need not be larger but it should provide enough space for the roots to breathe.
Step 2: Remove the plant from its old pot by turning the pot over and giving it a slight tap on the bottom. Ensure that you shake away as much as the old material as you can.
Step 3: Inspect the plant’s roots closely so you could remove those roots which are withered. You will know that these roots are dead from their dried-out look as compared to the other healthy roots which would be thick and hard. Use a pair of scissors for this task.
For step four, take your orchid and place it in the center of the new pot and fill in the new material such as fir bark which is great for orchids as it makes breathing space inside the pot for the roots. Press light so the plant is held inside firmly.
Lastly, for step five you need to water the orchid until you have the water running out from the bottom of the new pot.

As you can see, there is nothing much to repotting an orchid. Now you can say you know how to repot orchids and guide others who are seeking help in this area.

Humidity Trays For Orchids

Jennifer — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:15:47 +0000

As an orchid lover and grower you would be familiar with the importance of the humidity tray for orchids. However, there is always scope to discover something new even when you read or learn about something you are familiar with. Sometimes, going through something you are well versed with can provide new insights, when you find that time has moved on and these have brought about developments which you are not aware of yet.

The General Rules About Humidity Trays For Orchids

Humidity is not an aspect that can be considered on its own. There are other factors such as the intensity of light, the general weather and the temperature that needs to be taken into account before deciding on how humid would be the best for your orchid. As a rule you should never water your orchid anytime during afternoon or evening, more so if you are a beginner at this occupation.

The reason for this is that any drops of water that might remain trapped on the leaves would condense and hang onto the leaf long enough to lead to gradual rotting. The best time to water the orchid is early in the morning before dawn so the orchid would have enough time during the day time to use up the water and be on the dry side in the night when the temperatures drops.

The Ideal

When shopping for the ideal humidity tray keep in mind that this flower thrives when the level of humidity is around 50-70% during winter and a little higher during the summer. The easiest way to increase the humidity level of the orchid plants is to place the pots in humidity tray for orchids which are artistically but functionally created with the help of medium sized pebbles and a shallow water film.

Maintain the quality of the water you provide for your orchid by removing the pebbles every two months or so and having them washed thoroughly in weak bleach solution to clean them. This would easily remove the algae and salts residue that has accumulated over the time. Do not even think of adding algaecide in the tray directly as this would impact the orchid negatively.

Many people combine the beauty of fancy arrangements of a group of potted orchids with the practical humidity trays to create a beautiful and fully functional microclimate with just the right humidity. This can be breathtakingly beautiful while at the same time provide the required humidity to all the contributing plants. Remember to keep them spaced comfortably or it would constrict the air circulation and kill them.

Learning How to Grow Orchids

Jennifer — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:14:52 +0000

Orchids are one of the most adaptable plant groups on earth, and they produce seed pods with literally hundreds of thousands of seeds which are then released and scattered by the wind. Orchids can also be grown indoors although the seeds must establish a symbiotic relationship with a special fungus in order to survive its first year of life.

Orchids are tremendously beautiful flowers, and a favorite of millions of plant enthusiasts around the world. It is important to learn how to grow orchids before you attempt to do so, so you are aware of the different steps that you will need to follow in order to ensure they grow full and healthy.

When it comes to growing orchids, different methods of growing are endlessly discussed, but learning how to grow orchids can often be frustrating to the beginner as there is such a wealth of information available on this matter and it is easy to see how it could become so confusing and overwhelming.

How to Grow Orchids

One of the best tips on how to grow orchids involves the type of soil that you are using. Rather than putting them in the typical soil you should take a pot and layer it, alternating between bark chips and sphagnum moss. This is because the orchid roots need something sturdier to anchor their roots onto, and when there is chips and moss planted around them they will not fall out of the pot or tip over.

Watering is another essential part of growing orchids, and you need to be very careful not to water these plants too frequently. Also keep in mind that orchids are very susceptible to shock of any kind and will take considerable time to recover. This is why you need to be careful not to allow the plant to get sunburned, chilled, or become energy deficient.

When learning how to grow orchids remember that orchids thrive in indirect light, and although they will flourish in the early morning sun you should remove them out of the harmful UV rays of the afternoon sun because they will be too strong and burn the plant. Orchids may need to be repotted occasionally, and you will generally be able to tell when the time is right by the overall size of the plant. The best idea is to plant them in a larger sized pot to begin with in order to avoid having to repot the plant too often.

Tips for Successfully Growing Orchids Indoors

Jennifer — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:12:35 +0000

Anyone can enjoy the beauty of orchids in their home. This popular plant requires the same consideration as any other houseplant, but to give your orchids the best possible care, keep in mind these specific tips for growing them indoors.

Bring the Outdoors Indoors

When growing any type of plant, including orchids, the basic principle to successful growth is to bring the outdoors indoors. What this means is that orchids require the same basic care as if they were living outdoors. They need light, the right temperature and humidity, water and air circulation. Any plant living outside would get all of these essentials from nature, so when you choose to grow orchids indoors, you take over for Mother Nature. With the proper knowledge of your particular species of orchids, and a little time each day, you will find that growing these plants indoors is an enjoyable experience.

Basic Guidelines for Growing Orchids Indoors

All orchids need light, water, humidity and the right temperature, but different species have different requirements. Understanding exactly what your orchids need is the first step to their care. Without enough light, the plant will remain dark green and the flowers may be small and undersized. Whenever there are any problems with blooming, it can be traced back to inadequate lighting. Put the plants by your sunniest window or invest in fluorescent lights that have been made for plants.

Watering is another area that needs your careful attention. Once again, spend some time to find out the watering requirements of your particular plant species. Keep in mind, that most orchids die from having too much water rather than too little. Potting the orchids in clay pots is a good idea because this type of pot dissipates the water more quickly. Plastic pots tend to hold the water longer and create problems for the plants. For orchids that are grown indoors, most experts agree that a good rule of thumb is to water once a week.

Humidity levels should be between 40% and 70%. To increase the humidity level around the plants, place the pots on a saucer with decorative pebbles and about an inch of water. This puts enough moisture in the air around the plants to keep the humidity level at a healthy level. Be careful to protect the orchids from drafts and freezing temperatures. It’s also important to provide air circulation for orchids that are grown indoors. A small fan will keep the air moving which will keep fungi and bacteria from developing on the moist leaves.

Growing Orchids From Seeds: For Serious Gardeners Only

Jennifer — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:11:22 +0000

If you have never gardened before, let alone grew an orchid, then growing orchids from seeds will not be for you. You need to learn how to walk in the orchid world before you can run. Trying to grow orchids from seeds is running at full speed while blindfolded. You need to grow young plants into adult plants successfully before you can attempt growing orchids from seeds. You also need specialized equipment like a greenhouse.

Patience, Patience And More Patience

The average length of time to grow orchids from seeds is three to five years. It takes that long for the seeds to germinate and produce a plant of any distinguishable size. Growing orchids from seeds can’t be a passing fad. You must be committed to orchids like you would be to a lover. In fact, your orchids will most likely outlast your lover.

Birds And The Bees

In order to get your orchids to reproduce, they must be pollinated. In the wild, the birds and the bees help pollinate orchids. However, your orchids won’t have that access. You will need to pollinate them yourself. Yes – you have to be involved with orchid sex if you want to grow orchids from seeds. Hopefully, your current lover will not get jealous.

Orchids are not too picky when it comes to making baby orchids (seeds that eventually sprout into a plant). Orchids have successfully been crossed with other kinds of orchids in order to make hybrid orchids. You need a pencil or other pointy tool that opens the cap and rubs the pollen from one orchid onto another. It takes practice to get the pollen to stick. And that’s orchid sex.

Flasking

Flasking is a fancy name for growing orchids from seeds. As the name suggests, the seeds are grown in flasks instead of pots. You need top be sure your flask is sterile before you can use it for growing orchids from seeds. Orchid growers recommend that the best way to sterilize flasks is to stick them in a pressure cooker after filling them one to two inches with water.

Then you need a growing medium for your orchid seeds to grow in. You cannot use regular potting soil. You must get a specialized medium just for the purpose of growing orchids from seeds. This will be costly.

When the seeds and the growing medium are inside the sterilized flasks, they need to go under fluorescent lights for eight hours a day. The seeds should then turn green in about five to six weeks. As you can see, it takes a lot of work and special training growing orchids from seeds.

The Essentials to Growing Orchids

Jennifer — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:09:45 +0000

Are there carefully hidden secrets to successfully growing orchids? Not really. Orchids can be grown in most houses and require about the same time and attention as other houseplants. After selecting a variety of this plant that has been adapted to your particular area, keep in mind these few essentials and soon your family and friends will be complimenting you on your green thumb.

“Must-Haves” For Orchids Maintenance

Like any growing plant, orchids have certain needs that must be provided for them to grow properly. These basics include the right amount of light and water as well as a controlled temperature and humidity level. This isn’t very complicated and once your plants are set up in your home, you will find that maintaining these essentials take up only a small percentage of your time. Let’s take a closer look at all of these requirements.

The best place for your orchids to grow is on your sunniest windowsill. Make sure that the plants are kept free from drafts and that the window receives sunshine in the mornings and afternoons. A southern exposure is best. If your windows are very large, and therefore the amount of sunlight is intense, place the plants about 20 inches from the windowpane. When orchids are grown in a home, they benefit from the intensity of the sunlight, but also need a period of time in the shade. If you don’t have a sunny windowsill, consider using fluorescent lighting. Keep the lights on for at least 12 hours a day to insure proper growth and flowering of the orchids. Choose fluorescent lighting that has been made for plants.

Providing the right amount of water is the most important factor in growing orchids. However, to make sure that your plants get the right amount of water, there are two points to consider. The first is to understand the water needs of your particular species. The second thing to remember is to water only when the potting soil or growing medium is dry. Orchids potted in a bark mix or clay pot need more frequent watering.

Maintaining the correct temperature and humidity level is also important in growing orchids. Placing pots of orchid plants on decorative pebbles in a water-filled tray increases the humidity level to a desirable degree. Misting the plants is a good practice, but do not soak them because bacterial or fungal diseases could develop. For the right temperature, you will need to know the requirement of your particular species. Ordinarily, most orchid species will adapt themselves well to their home environment and will grow nicely.

Grow Your Own Collection Of Fragrant Orchids

Jennifer — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:09:44 +0000

Anyone who has seen an orchid would agree that this is an exquisitely beautiful plant. The beauty of this flower is such that many have made it their hobby to collect such plants for decoration in and around their homes. Contrary to popular belief orchids can be as fragrant as they are beautiful.

Check These Out When You Look For Fragrant Orchids

If you are among those who love fragrant orchids the following brief description of some very fragrant orchids would be of great help. The list has the orchids in alphabetical order for your ready reference.

Aerangis – these orchids are smaller than the regular plants and you will find them filling the air with fragrance in the early hours of the evening. This is an excellent choice for those who love spending their evenings in the garden

Brassia – this is a family of very beautiful orchids which will definitely attract you with their delicate and large spider like flowers. Brassia family is one among the rare and all round fragrant orchid plants.

Dendrochilum – this family of orchids are characterized by flowers manifested in tiny chains which look simply amazing. The fragrant orchids of this family are the magnum, the glumacaeum and the cobbianum.

Gongora – these orchids are very beautiful and highly fragrant. Most people complain though that their flowers are very short loved.

Harella Odorata – this is one of the miniature orchids families which are delicate and incredibly beautiful at the same time. Plus they give off a very attractive fragrance.

Sedirea Japonica – these orchids are coming from Japan with longish and very attractive flowers. They give off fragrance throughout the day, but in the night you will find it a little more pronounced.

Vanda – the smaller species of this family are exceptionally well scented, such as the Suavis, tehe Denisonia, the Cristata and the Tessellatta.

At Z we have the Zygopetalum family of orchids whose majority hybrids are highly fragrant. This family comprises of both small and large flowers.

The above list of fragrant orchids is by no means all inclusive. For more details you could look up the Internet or ask the assistance of an expert. As such you have enough information here to start your own orchid greenhouse if you so desire. Growing orchids is an exceptionally lucrative and highly satisfactory hobby and business – more so when your specialty would be only fragrant orchids. You could start a hobby cum business and earn a handsome living while doing something you love.

Are There Such Things As Easy To Grow Orchids?

Jennifer — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:06:51 +0000

What is your definition of the word “easy”? If it’s “lie back and do nothing”, then there are no easy to grow orchids for you. But if your definition of “easy” is not having to work more than a few minutes a day on maintaining a plant after doing a lot of research selecting a plant, then there are such things as easy to grow orchids for you. Although all orchids are tricky to grow in comparison to many other plant species, here is a look at two easy to grow orchids.

Moth Orchids

In comparison to many other kinds of orchids, the Phalaenopsis orchids, or moth orchids, are easy to grow orchids. They come in a variety of colors and can be successfully grown in a home and not a hothouse or special greenhouse. Some moth orchids come with spots and stripes, while others are in solid colors. More colors and patterns are trying to be developed by orchid lovers.

Moth Orchids need to be kept in temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Try not to make the temperature changes too quickly. 60 degrees at night is okay, with 75 and 80 degrees during the day. Since it would cost a fortune to keep your whole house at this temperature, you need to get supplemental lighting for moth orchids.

You can put the orchids in front of a sunny window, but that’s taking chances. To make a more steady and predictable temperature, you need to place a fluorescent light about a foot above this easy to grow orchid. Wildly swinging temperatures can make your orchids flowers drop off before they bloom.

Dendrobium Hybrid Orchids

“Dens”, as they are nicknamed, are a genus of the species orchids that has over 1200 varieties for you to choose from. They come in widely differing shapes, sizes and colors. Some of these easy to grow orchids are very small, while others can bloom as big as your palm. They’ve learned how to grow in many kinds of environments, which is why they are considered easy to grow orchids.

Even more than moth orchids, “dens” require a high degree of humidity ion order to thrive. Moth orchids can do well placed in a shallow tray of water to mimic tropical humidity, but “dens” need more. Some need to be misted regularly. They need access to greenhouses part of the year.

Don’t completely soak the orchids when watering, although “dens” need frequent watering to help mimic tropical conditions. You might want to keep misting them with water in summer weather.

Growing Orchids For Beginners

Jennifer — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:10:51 +0000

Before we can discuss growing orchids for beginners, let’s talk about what I mean by “beginner”. A beginner is somebody who has never worked with plants or done any kind of gardening in their lives. If you are that kind of chlorophyll-challenged beginner, then orchids are just about the worst plant for you to try and grow. First, try forgiving plants that do well in your local environment before you tackle anything as complex as an orchid.

Orchid Virgins

Now, if you have grown other kinds of plants successfully – even a spider plant in your living room that seems immortal – then you are not such an ignorant beginner. You at least have some knowledge of what is required when growing orchids for beginners. You realize that you are responsible for the water, soil, pots and temperature conditions of the plants that are completely dependant on your care.

Orchids and their hybrids are vastly different from other plants. Growing orchids for beginners is not like growing other kinds of plants. Orchids normally live in hot, tropical environments and grow out of tree bark rather than up from the ground. You really need to do a lot of homework before bringing an orchid home – unless you’re into dead orchids.

Not All Are Alike

Each orchid or orchid hybrid has different watering, temperature and growing medium needs. Some need more water and some less. Some need their roots to have a lot of air circulation around them, while some are not too picky about how much air their roots get. Going over every orchid and orchid hybrid known and their care is far beyond the scope of this article.

But knowing that growing orchids for beginners means a lot of homework and research will help you get started in the right direction. Ask your garden store or local nursery what orchids do best in the area you live in. There may even be a local orchid or gardening club online that welcomes questions about growing orchids for beginners. Never be afraid to ask questions!

Other websites to check out are the American Orchid Society, which is a great place to try and find gardeners in your area. They probably know all of the answers for your questions on growing orchids for beginners. You can also check out The Orchid Mall website, but don’t be tempted to buy, buy, buy. One good thing about growing orchids for beginners is that you develop a deep respect for Mother Nature.

Tricks And Tips To Growing Orchids In Doors

Jennifer — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 19:12:04 +0000

Orchids are beautiful plants that have equally beautiful flowers that come in striking colors and shapes. Growing orchids in doors can be difficult because these plants are tropical plants used to humid areas and specific weather conditions in their native regions. There are many kinds of orchids and some fit specific weather conditions while others can grow practically anywhere. Indoor plants need special care because they have less sunlight and the air indoors might be less fresh and contain elements that contribute to unhealthy plants.

Guide To Growing Orchids In Doors

One thing you must bear in mind when attempting growing orchids indoors is that these are aerial plants that do not need soil for their roots. You just need to give it a steady base or a pot filled with materials that the root can cling to lightly. Growing orchids in doors allows you to place them in various interesting places where they can capture the viewer’s eyes and be appreciated.

One important thing that needs to be considered when growing orchids in doors is the light source you will provide fro these plants. Plants produce their own food mainly with the help of the sun. Growing orchids in doors means that they are not exposed to the generous sun’s rays and may not be able to effectively produce food. Providing a light source that has the necessary kind of light will help your orchids grow well. Light bulbs or a bright window can be enough to provide the much needed light for food production.

Water is yet another necessity that you will need to provide when growing orchids in doors. The heavy humidity of some rainforests where most orchids are native to can provide the orchids with the necessary water they need to survive. The orchids’ roots get the water from the heavy humid air that is plentiful in rainforests. You can recreate a humid atmosphere by providing a humidifier for your plant or just by misting it regularly not watering it well. Do not overwater as this will rot the roots especially for those in a pot.

Growing orchids in doors can be very fulfilling and satisfying. You get to see your beautiful plants and use them to beautify your home. After you have set up their needs, the routine of taking care of them will not be as difficult as the initial step to growing orchids in doors.