Secrets of Growing Amazing Orchids

74 Pages·2014·0.65 MB·English

Secrets of Growing Amazing Orchids
Table of Contents
Growing Amazing Orchids.......................................................................................1
Table of Contents..................................................................................................2
General Information...............................................................................................3
Orchid Types.........................................................................................................4
Caring for Orchids .................................................................................................6
How to Water Orchids............................................................................................8
Growing an Orchid Under Artificial Lights.................................................................10
Wedding Orchids..................................................................................................12
Using Fertilizers for the First Time?.........................................................................14
Orchids & Humidity...............................................................................................18
Orchids & Air Movement........................................................................................20
Guidelines for Orchid Shopping ..............................................................................21
Bringing Home an Orchid.......................................................................................24
Guidelines for Growing Indoor Orchids....................................................................25
Repotting Orchids Properly ....................................................................................28
How to Water Orchids Properly...............................................................................30
Basic Care for All Orchids ......................................................................................34
Direct Sunlight or Not?..........................................................................................36
Common Orchid Pests & Plant Diseases...................................................................37
Keeping Your Orchids Free of Pests & Diseases.........................................................38
Oncidium Orchids.................................................................................................39
Phalaenopsis Orchids............................................................................................44
Cattleya Orchids...................................................................................................47
Cymbidium Orchids...............................................................................................49
Dendrobium Orchids.............................................................................................50
Epidendrum Orchids..............................................................................................51
Masdevilla Orchids................................................................................................52
Miltonia Orchids ...................................................................................................53
Odontoglossum Orchids.........................................................................................54
Paphiopedilum Orchids..........................................................................................55
Vanda Orchids......................................................................................................56
Frequently Asked Questions About Orchids (FAQ).....................................................57
Orchid Troubleshooting .........................................................................................62
Summing Up........................................................................................................64

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General Information
Orchids have become one of the most favorite house plants very quickly. There are many different species of
orchids that can be found naturally and even more hybrids. They are not difficult to grow with the proper
amount of care including water, light, fertilizer and air. While many species of orchids do enjoy cooler
conditions, several species do very well in temperatures that are around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of the easiest orchids to grow is the Phalaenopsis orchid plant. This species of orchid adapts well to the
environment of a home or office. Different species of orchid’s flowers will last for different amounts of time.
From the time that the first Phalaenopsis bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next two to three
months. Where as, the flowers on a Cattleyas orchid plant may last up to a month in bloom from the time that
the bud opens. Some species of orchids will bloom once a year, while other species will bloom several times a
year and some even bloom continuously.
Another aspect of orchids that makes them so popular is their fragrance. Some orchids are wonderfully
fragrant. But, the scents from fragrant orchid flowers are extremely variable. Some species of orchid plants
are subtle and other species are extremely strong. The scents can range from fruity to flowery. More amazing
if the fact that many orchids have familiar aromas such as chocolate, raspberry, coconut, lilac or citrus.
Orchids should be planted in bark rather then typically potting soil. They can also be grown in New Zealand
sphagnum moss. Orchids need to be grown in pots that will supply them with good drainage. Typical potting
soil is bad for orchid plants because it cuts off air circulation at the roots and blocks the drainage of the water.
They should also be watered about once or twice a week. During the summer, your orchid plant may need to
be watered more frequently about every four to five days. A good rule of thumb to follow is the more heat, the
more water you should give your orchid. The less heat, the less amount of water. Orchid plants that are
potted in New Zealand sphagnum moss should be water less often then those planted in bark. These plants
can be watered once every seven to ten days.
Depending on the species of orchid, they prefer a lot of light that is not too strong. They do very well sitting in
an east facing window. Since many orchid species can be found naturally in tropical conditions, they are used
to receiving both shade and sun. Sun exposure that is too strong. Orchids that are suffering from either too
much light will display yellowing leaves. If this occurs you should increase the shade that your orchid receives.
Yellowing of orchid leaves may also indicate insufficient feeding. Orchid plants should be fertilized on a regular
basis about every other week. You should also water your orchid plant before applying the diluted nutrient
solution if the potting media is dry.

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Orchid Types
Although there are many, many different species and hybrids of orchids, there are
actually only two different types of orchids. One type of orchid is the terrestrial orchids
which are species that grow on the ground. And the other type of orchid is the epiphytes
orchids which grow in trees, rocks or on poles.
Terrestrial orchid species are some of the most popular orchids. Although terrestrial
orchids have roots that grow beneath the surface of the soil just like most other kinds of
plants, some terrestrial orchids are semi-terrestrial. This means that they have both
underground and aerial roots. Cymbidium orchids are a terrestrial orchid that has 40
species and thousands of hybrids. They were one of the first species of orchids to have
been cultivated. These orchids are a great example of terrestrials that not only grow on
the ground but, they can also grow on trees and rocks. They grow extremely well in the
loose humus of rotted wood or decayed leaves. Cymbidium orchids can be found in their
natural habitat with extends from Southeast Asia to Japan and they can also be found in
Australia. Cymbidium orchids are so popular because they are easy to grow and are
therefore a perfect choice for beginners. Plus, with the proper care, they will provide
beautiful flowers every year.
The term epiphytes are actually not reserved to a type of orchid. It refers to any plant
that has a root system above ground. Dendrobiums are the best known epiphytes
orchid. Although they are easy to grow, they require slightly more care than
Cymbidiums and do not flower as easily on a regular basis. There are over 1000 species
of them. They can be found in their natural tropical conditions of Northern India, South
East Asia, Australia and Polynesia. Because they are found in tropical conditions,
Dendrobiums thrive in warm, humid growing conditions and should be kept moist.
Another popular epiphyte type of orchid is the Phalaenopsis. These orchids are easy to
grow and have long-lasting flowers. They are often seen at weddings and can be found
in various colors including pinks, yellows, and even stripes.
Epiphytic orchids grow upon structures like trees. Although they grow upon the tree,
they do not receive its nourishment from the tree. They establish themselves by their
fleshy roots on branches or bark of trees. The organic matter that accumulates between
the roots and branches is used as nutrients for the plant. The roots of epiphytic orchids
can also sustain the plant through wet and dry periods. The tough, stringy core of the
root is surrounded by a spongy off-white covering that can absorb water easily. When it
rains, this cover soaks up water. When it is completely saturated, it turns light green.
The orchid’s roots retain the moisture and will release it gradually to the plant tissues.

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There are also some species of epiphytic orchids that cling to rocks. As they are
suspended from trees or rocks, the epiphytes thrive in filtered light and always in open,
airy situations.

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Caring for Orchids
It has been the belief of many for sometime that caring for orchids was difficult or
reserved only for the rich. But, with more the 25,000 species and more then 100,000
hybrids, it is possible for anyone to find an orchid that will fit into their lifestyle, budget
and level of skill as a horticulturist.
Most types of orchids do not require anymore work than any other house or garden
plants. But, some orchids do have special requirements. Your first step in orchid care
should always be to find out the particular requirements that your flower needs. There
are very few plants that produce such a delicate and beautiful bloom as an orchid can. It
is one of the things that make them such a popular house plant. If you give your orchid
extremely well care, you can keep them blooming just as healthy as they were in the
store. The popular orchid you probably have received as a gift or bought from the store
is a phaleanopsis. This is the popular white or purple orchids that are available due to
the fact that they are easier to care for than some of the less common varieties of orchid
plants.
Orchids will bloom for at least three months if they are taken care of correctly. You
should place your orchid near the window so that it can receive sunlight throughout the
day. But you should avoid the midday sun which can be too harsh for these plants and
aim to give your orchid morning and evening sunlight. For this reason, the eastern side
of your home is an excellent place to place your orchid. You can substitute natural
sunlight with fluorescent lights that are about a foot above the orchid’s flowers but, you
still want to limit exposure to normal daylight hours.
Orchids thrive in temperatures that are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit but no higher than
8o degrees. Orchids that are in weather that passes 90 degrees will start to loose their
buds or will stop blooming at all. It is important to make sure that the flower stays
moist, but do not over water the roots because it can kill the blooms. In stead, water the
plant once every ten weeks, or keep the orchid in a water tray constantly. Make sure
that the roots do not touch the water tray or it will then constantly be soaking up too
much water.
A great tip to keeping the orchid in bloom for the most amount of time as possible is to
fertilize the plant before it blooms. Once it ahs bloomed, you don’t need to fertilize it any
longer. Plus, another tip to keeping your orchid in bloom for the greatest amount of time
you can is to carefully prune the orchid while it is blooming. You will then be able to see
a second set of flowers develop. With the right amount of care and attention, you will be

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able to own a gorgeous orchid plant that will display a full and rich bloom throughout the
blooming season.

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How to Water Orchids
Orchids have quickly become a favorite among houseplants due to their gorgeous blooms
and their variety in species, colors and sizes. Like any other plant, orchids require the
correct growing conditions in order to thrive. Part of offering your orchid the right
growing conditions is giving your orchid the right amount of water. Since the amount of
water required for your orchid can vary between different species of orchids, it is
important to research your particular plant. But, it is helpful to understand orchids in
general and where they come from.
Orchid plants are typically found in tropical areas of the globe. The areas where many
orchid plants are found receive a tremendous amount of rain. It can also be very humid
in their native habitats. In fact, the ideal humidity level for most orchid plants is 80%.
Considering that a room that is kept at 80% humidity would be extremely uncomfortable
for most human beings, you need to find other strategies in order to keep your orchids
happy and healthy. An easy way to humidify your orchids is to provide them with a
constant supply of water. Orchid owners can purchase a deep saucer and some pebbles.
You should pour the pebbles into the saucer. Set your orchid pot on top of the pebbles
within the saucer and then water the pebbles. You should make sure that the water
never touches the actual orchid pot. By doing this you are able to set up an artificial
high-humidity climate around your orchids.
One of the biggest mistakes the people make when caring for their orchids is over
watering their orchids. Generally it is assumed by some owners that when the potting
soil looks dry, the plant needs to be watered. This is not true especially when it comes to
orchids. Although the potting bark may appear dry, the bark itself holds moisture. The
rule of thumb is to water your orchid plant once a week or once every other week,
sparingly. When growing an orchid plant in your home, you should let the potting bark
dry out completely before watering them. Some species of orchids grow on the trunks
and branches of trees. In their native habitats it is normal for their roots to dry out
before being given water again. Orchid plants also need to be fertilized but sparingly as
well. You can buy orchid fertilizer at most garden shops within your area. Creating a
good routine for watering and fertilizing your orchid is an excellent way to guarantee that
you will be able to enjoy these exotic plants for a long time.
Orchids will thrive in your home environment if they are given the proper care including
the right amount of potting bark, the right amount of water, the proper amount of
sunlight and if they are fertilized occasionally. Although they are quite beautiful, they

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can also be temperamental. But, by understanding how to care for them properly,
orchids are not that complicated and you can grow these exotic and beautiful plants.

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Growing an Orchid Under Artificial Lights
Orchids, like many other kinds of house plants, have very specific needs including light,
water and nutrition. One of the most important elements to the health of your orchid
plant is the kind of light that it receives. The amount of light the orchid plant needs can
vary due to the species that your orchid is. But, since orchids naturally are found within
the tropical areas of the globe, they generally need a good deal of diffused light. The
tropical areas they come from normally have distinct patterns of sun and shade. In order
to give them the cooler morning light and prevent them from burning in strong afternoon
sunlight, sit your orchid in an eastern facing window. You should give your orchid about
twelve hours of light a day, but this is sometimes not possible because of a very strong
afternoon sun.
In order to figure out how much shade and sun your specific orchid species will need, you
will need to find out as much information about your particular orchid as you can. There
are several ways to find the right information on your orchid plant. A great way to get
information on your particular orchid is to talk to the people from whom you purchase
your plant from. You should also look up information about your orchid online while you
are doing your research on which species of orchid would be best for you before you
purchase it. Some orchids thrive on receiving a lot of sun. While other species of orchid
plants will wilt if they don’t get mostly shade. Among orchid growers there are two
different way to distinguish which orchids like what kind of light. Soft growing orchids
mean they thrive in shady conditions. Hard growing orchids thrive in sunny conditions.
Typically an orchid that requires soft or shady growing conditions will offer their owners
the enjoyment of a healthy and thriving plant, but the blooms will be small and
infrequent. On the other hand, orchids that are grown in hard or sunny conditions will
produce many blooms, but not much plant. The leaves on such a plant may also be
yellow and stunted.
One way of ensuring that your orchid will get the right amount of light is to use a glow-
light. You can purchase a grow-light and a timer will give your orchids the correct
amounts of both light and darkness. It is also possible to use florescent light to offer
your orchids a light source that is not too strong for them. For years it was thought that
orchids could only be successfully grown by experienced horticulturists. But, with these
simple ways of giving your orchids the right kind of light necessary, orchids can now be
grown by even the most inexperienced growers. Along with natural sunlight, a grow-
light or florescent lights plus, a full understanding of the kind of species your orchid is,
you can have a gorgeous orchid plant that will give you gorgeous, full blooms throughout
it’s blooming season.

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