| Orchid Care - The Basics | ||||
Orchids are different from houseplants. Unlike palms, ferns, or philodendrons, orchids grow on rocks and trees, not in the ground. In fact, planting an orchid in potting soil is probably a sure way to kill it. That's why you see orchids planted in bark, moss, coconut husks, etc.. Watering these different growing mediums can be tricky, even for experienced growers. Our Hydroponic System eliminates all the guesswork of growing in bark or moss! Clay pebbles replace all other media and a water gauge tells you when to water. Orchids are tougher than most people think. In Nature, the orchid's root system absorbs water and nutrients from the the air and occassional rain shower. Their thick roots, leaves and stems are designed to store water when rain is scarce. Although some orchids are fussy, many adapt comfortably to most homes if they get enough light and correct watering. | ||||
| Light | All
plants need light to live - this
is especially true for orchids. Orchids enjoy
as much
light as possible - more than houseplants. Inadequate light will prevent
your orchid from flowering. Leaf color is a
good indicator if your plant is getting enough light. Orchids should
have bright green leaves. Dark green leaves indicates your plant is not
getting enough light. Yellowish-green or red leaves indicates your
plant is getting too much light. How much
light your orchid needs depends on what kind of orchid it is. | |||
| Water | Potting medium effects your
plant's water requirements. Orchid growers use bark chips, spaghnum moss, styrofoam, etc. as
potting material. Depending on where your orchid was grown (Hawaii,
Florida, Taiwan) these planting materials will vary. That's why its not unusual to
see identical orchids planted completely different potting
mixes. For a beginner this makes correct watering a mystery. Even experienced growers have trouble getting it right! The clay pebbles in our Hydroponic System replaces all these materials. And a water gauge tells you when and how much to water. What could be easier! | |||
| Temperature | Orchids do not require the hot, steamy weather found in the tropics.
Most orchids will adapt to the temperatures found in most homes.
Even though your thermostat is set at one setting, temperatures can
vary widely in your house. A sunny window can vary 30 degrees or more
during the winter months. Another difference between orchids and houseplants is that orchids experience a big difference between day and night temperatures. At least a 10 degree drop in needed to initiate a flower bud, especially during fall and winter. This can be accomplished by setting the plant near a window where the temperature will automatically drop at night. Orchids appreciate adequate humidity. During winter months they will gladly trade cooler temperatures for the hot, dry air from the furnace. Likewise, in the summer they enjoy warmer temperatures instead of the cool dry air from air-conditioners. | |||
| Nutrition | Too much fertilizer kills more orchids than too little. In
fact, we've never seen an orchid die from a lack of fertilizer.
However, a good nutrition program promotes healthy growth with
good seasonal blooms. Good nutrition can be difficult with a deteriorating potting mix. Our LECA pebbles never change so complete nutrition is easy with Hydoponics. | |||
| Orchid Care for Specfic Types | ||
| Cattleya Orchid Care | ||
| Oncidium Orchid Care | ||
| Paphiopedilum Orchid Care | ||
| Phalaenopsis Orchid Care | ||