Caring for Orchids - Guide to Make Perfect Orchid Bloom

Caring for orchids is not a complicated process, despite the firmly held belief that orchids are difficult and complex plant to keep alive in your home.

By taking some time to do a research about the unique needs of your specific orchid; you will realize that you are on your way to having a thriving, happy, and healthy plant. Some of the most basic tips in caring for an orchid to help you achieve a beautiful orchid bloom are listed below.

Keep Watering Your Plant a Balancing Act 
The crucial part of caring for orchids you own is to know exactly the fine balancing act that is needed to make certain that their optimal health and well being is achieved. Water serves as the orchid food. Although a high humidity level is required for the orchid to thrive properly, giving your plant too much water can result to fungal and viral infections as well. Orchids also hate excess water on their leaves. It is true that in their natural habitat, orchids have highly humid environments, and they are also frequently exposed to frequent rain showers; but remember orchids are also exposed to high heat and free flowing steady breeze, which results to high evaporation that keeps excess levels of water to a minimum.

On the other hand, it is also highly possible to underwater your orchids. One rule of the thumb to follow is that between watering, you should never allow the roots of your orchids, and the potting media, to totally dry out. This can be initially difficult and may take a bit of trial and error for you to be able to perfectly master the right timing of watering your orchids.

Temperature Balance - Is it Too Hot or Too Cold? 
Orchids grows best in temperatures that remains above 65 degrees Fahrenheit; if at any instance that the temperature will drop below to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, more often than not, your orchids will drop off its flowers. Or in worst cases where temperatures may drop to much below than 65 degrees Fahrenheit you are at the high risk of losing your orchids. Therefore, a well balanced temperature is very important to keep your orchid thriving. You should know the specific temperature requirements of your specific orchid; To be sure of the exact temperatures your orchid requires, you should talk to an orchid expert and verify your doubts.

Having the Appropriate Containers 
When it comes to successfully caring for an orchid, the type of container form where your plant is potted also plays a very important role in the success of your quest to successfully grow an orchid. Using a pot that is specifically designed for orchid use can be the best choice. These pots must have holes on the sides and underneath to effectively drain excessive water and allow the free flow of air.

Potting Media 
Using a potting soil as a media for your orchid is highly discouraged. Potting soil will more likely hold excess water around the roots of the plant. It can also prevent the roots of your orchids from getting sufficient air to circulate. This can result to a rotten root.

Lighting needs 
Your orchids should receive sufficient amount of sunlight throughout the day. To achieve the lighting requirements, you must put your plant in a window that provides access to sunlight. However you should not place your plant in an area that receives full sunlight because this can burn the leaves of your plant.

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Choosing the Best Orchid Pots

Growing orchids is a delight for most people. They offer incredible beauty but bring a temperament that must be managed to enjoy successful cultivation in a home environment.

There is a diverse range of orchid species to choose from and your choice of pots can be a make or break factor in the lifespan of your orchid. The pot you choose, coupled with the right compost, lighting, temperature, fertilizer and water all combine to deliver some of the most beautiful flowers in the world.

In this article we examine the best containers for growing vibrant orchids in the home. While the choices may appear confusing at first, the two most common containers for orchids are either a plastic or terracotta clay pot.

Let's look at the features and considerations of each type:

Terracotta Pots 

• Typically heavier and harder to move once the plant is established but provides a more stable environment;
• Expect only one primary drainage hole in most clay pots but there are newer clay pots with drainage on the side of the pot as well;
• Orchids that are tolerant of dry conditions and retain water well do very well in clay pots;

Plastic Pots 

• Lightweight plastic pots are great for indoor use;
• Be sure the pot has multiple drainage holes;
• Be aware the potting medium dries out slower than clay pots;
• Most suitable plastic pots have thick walls, are typically a light color and do not retain too much heat in direct sunshine;
• Clear pots are in vogue now because they allow light to reach the orchids roots directly;

As you consider your potting choices, keep in mind the growing characteristics of the orchid you wish to grow. For example large planters or pots are necessary for the large spreading Cymbidia orchids while the Chinese Cymbidium requires a tall pot to handles the very long root system that be up to a meter in length.

When the pot offers root growth that is unrestricted, the orchid can readily hold the needed nutrients and water to develop the type of beautiful flowers orchids are known for.

If you choose to grow Jewel orchids such as Ludisia and Anoectochilus look for pots that are wide and shallow because these orchid types spread out over the surface of the pots. Some people have successfully used glass terrariums for this type of orchid.

Finally, many people may choose hanging baskets for some orchid types so they can be hung and displayed at eye level.

Why baskets? 

• Baskets work very well for orchids that are heavy rooted, have pendant type flowers and have a spreading nature.
• Basket containers can be constructed of wire, plastic, wood or pottery or other mediums that allow good circulation around the roots and plant medium.
• If you select a Draculas orchid, you will need a strong mesh type orchid pot because parts of the plant will grow out all sides of the container.
• Orchids with beautiful pendant flowers such as the Stanhopea, Gongora, and Acineta should be established in open pots or baskets.
• Be aware that orchids tend to dry out faster in baskets.

If you are beginner orchid enthusiast you may notice that your orchid appears to be pot bound and think you need to make a change. Many orchids actually thrive when they are pot-bound. The roots are not really being smothered. In reality, it is this dense root system that creates incredible blooms.

So don't make a move too soon.

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Orchid Information - Top Five Tips on Growing Healthy Orchids

The key to growing a healthy orchid is in understanding its origins.

Orchids can be found in a wide range of countries and climates ranging from coastal areas to tropical regions but the majority of these conditions have several key factors in common. They often have a warm climate with a small annual temperature variation, high humidity and regular rainfall followed by brief periods of drought. These are all requirements that are relatively easy to recreate in the home or greenhouse.

Coupled with the fact that orchids are extremely beautiful plants has caused their popularity as house plants to rise a lot in recent times.

This can be seen by the literally thousands of hybrid species available, cultivating orchids has become big business in some countries.

Temperature Range

If you're lucky enough to live in a warmer climate (which unfortunately I am not) then you may find that you can grow your orchids outdoors during summer, maybe even the whole year round!

However, for those of us living in more moderate climates it's a good bet you'll have to grow them indoors, either in your house or a greenhouse. There are orchids that will thrive in cooler temperatures but most will prefer a daytime temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 27 degrees Celsius.

Remember to allow a drop in night time temperature of around ten degrees as this is what your orchid will expect.

Lighting Needs

Orchids enjoy long periods of sunlight and you can simulate this best in summer by placing yours near an eastern facing window.

Be sure not to allow too much direct sunlight to reach the plant though as even a little can cause harm to your plants by burning the leaves. Tropical orchids would normally be provided shade by the tree canopy or other natural conditions but you can use frosted glass or even a netted curtain to achieve this.

Alternatively, you can invest in specialist lighting for your orchids giving them just the right spectrum of light for them to thrive whilst avoiding the harmful ones in the red end of the spectrum. This will also give you a lot more control over the length of daylight your orchid gets.

Humidity

Tropical regions and coastal regions are obviously fairly high in humidity which is fairly easy to recreate in a greenhouse but is also achievable indoors too. You can buy or make artificial humidity trays for this. Any type of wide based tray will do to start with.

Place some kind of grating inside or fill it with stones to give your orchids something to stand on. It's important that their roots stay clear of the water as this will damage them. Simply keep the tray filled almost to the top with warmish water and as the water evaporates it will increase the humidity in the air around your orchids.

Potting Your Orchids

If you choose to grow your orchid in a pot you should pot it tightly in a potting media that isn't soil or compost. These mediums retain too much moisture for your orchid to handle well, remember how I said they like periods of rainfall followed by very dry periods. Their roots are specially designed to absorb water quickly and then release it to the plant slowly during dry periods. So instead using a potting media like bark or coconut husk, this will allow very good drainage while retaining a tiny amount of moisture.

A good pot will hold the potting media while allowing water to drain quickly and letting air circulate around your orchids roots. Your orchids roots are often a good indicator of how well your orchid is doing and can let you know in advance if there's a problem. Clear plastic containers can give you a good view of the roots while still keeping the potting media tightly compacted.

Feeding Your Orchids - Fertilizer

Just like most ordinary plants your orchids will need feeding every so often, look for specialized orchid fertilizer rather than ordinary plant food. Standard plant fertilizers usually don't contain the correct level of nutrients and trace minerals that your orchid will need to thrive.

With a little time and care you'll be able to get the maximum amount of enjoyment from your orchid with the minimum amount of fuss.

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Orchid Propagation - Top 2 Easy Techniques For Safe Orchid Propagation

Orchids propagation is very important for your orchids since you are growing them as house plants. Your primary concern with orchids grown in pots is that you must be able to propagate new growths safely so that you do not harm the parent plant and the chances of the new plant surviving is high.

There many ways and techniques for orchids propagation but since you are a beginner, let us focus on the two simplest techniques. In time as you become expert in growing orchids, you will have the chance to learn about the other orchid propagation ways.

1. Orchid Propagation By Division Technique

The division technique is the easiest and common way to produce more plant of the same kind. Most orchid growers, novice and experts alike use this technique to reproduce the orchids they already own. The division often encourages the orchids to produce new shoots of better quality and vigor.

To propagate your orchids using the division technique, cut in between the pseudobulbs through the rhizome. Make sure that each part you divide has at least three healthy pseudobulbs and one that is dormant. This dormant pseudobulbs will be responsible for producing the new growths.

Orchids propagation by way of division technique is best done during the early spring when new growths start to appear. You will be happy to see that after one season, your new plants have established themselves ready to give you gorgeous and colorful flowers.

2. Orchid Propagation By Back Bulb Technique

The back bulb technique is yet another very simple propagation method. This technique however may take up to three years for the plant to mature to its flowering size. Back bulbs are the pseudobulbs that previously flowered or the ones that have never flowered before. Remove the back bulbs that have roots and place it in the side of a pot (nearest to the edge of the pot should be the cut surface of the bulb) Fill it with orchid potting mix and set aside. Keep it moist in a shady place for two to three months. When a shoot has appeared from the back bulb, repot the plant.

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Top 3 Orchid Care Instructions For Newbies

"Orchids are too delicate, so it must be difficult to grow" - Does it sound familiar? Have you heard that before? Or maybe you are thinking of that right now?

What if I say that growing orchids is not as difficult as you may believe. Orchids are species of plant that can be found on every continent, except in Antarctica. It is true that most of them grow remarkably well in tropical rainforests. This is therefore, the main secret of growing orchids successfully.

My research shows me that many people grow orchids successfully in their backyards in various medium, pots, indoors and outdoors; almost everywhere in the world. Growing delicate orchids is no harder than growing any other household plants; but only if you know how.

And I will tell you how in a minute. For now I will reason with you why I think caring for orchids is just as easy. As I said earlier majority of orchid species are found in tropical rainforest environments, with predictable elements that make them thrive beautifully. Without too much guessing, we could break down the essential substances that make up rainforest environments. For example, the soil is normally made up of dirt, decomposed leaves, branches, and other plant products mixed with rich minerals from rainwater and also animal droppings. Also, the air is normally humid and moist.

This is the secret, and if we could imitate it then we could achieve our goal.

Okay to the top 3 orchid care instructions:

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

What does it mean? No, I didn't mean the best location for you to look at the flower. There is only one reason for this instruction, ie. lighting.

Just a quick lesson on biology, the reason for plants needing enough light is because they are able to produce their own carbohydrate from substances they absorb. In order to do this, plants need light. This process is called photosynthesis. The best light is the sunlight, however, you can substitute it with fluorescent lighting if you grow your orchids indoor.

Whilst all plants require enough amount of light, too much of one thing is bad for them. Too much sunlight, particularly in the summer months, can burn the plant. In the natural habitat, orchids grow in shadier areas. So, watch signs of burning of the leaves, such as reddenning on the edges, as you may want to move it away from the sun. Make it a point not to expose the orchid to direct sunlight.

2. SOIL AIN'T SOIL

Not all types of soil are the same for all plants. Orchids do need specific type of soil to get maximum growth. In their original habitat in rainforests of Southeast Asia, orchid plants extract their food from decomposing organic materials, such as other leaves, petals and barks, droppings from birds, and minerals contained in rainwater. Science has proved that orchids really the following ingredients Potassium, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus.

There are commercially prepared potting mixtures that are specific for orchids with the right substances and degree of acidity. However, you can create your own blend you wish. Coconut fibres are a good base to use, combine it with tree barks, fern leaves, and sphagnum moss. Or my favorite is usually to mix the commercially accessible and my very own potting mixes.

Every now and then, feeding your orchid plant with a bit of orchid fertilizer every time you water is a good idea.

3. MOISTURE, HUMIDITY, AND WATER

Water is so crucial. Never let your orchids dry. However, it is as important not to drown your plant in water. They don't just absorb liquid from their roots, but also from the moisture in the air. Many people think that they can just water it more frequently to compensate for a dryer air.

Again in their natural habitat, orchids live in tropical rainforests with high level of humidity, e.g. greater than 50%. It would be wonderful if you can imitate this environment.

In dryer months, it pays to keep it moist. I often use a home-made trick of keeping them moist by using hand sprayer and mist my orchid vegetation. This enables me to put additional droplets of water on the plant in dryer weather.

When caring for orchids, you ought to also know when's the correct time to water them as well as how frequent the watering ought to be. During wintery months, orchids should be watered only once per week. But in summer months, you only need to water orchids twice every week.

Caring for orchids is not as difficult as some people may believe. For as long as you learn and follow orchid care instructions properly, you can never go wrong. Good luck with your orchidilic endeavor!

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