Easy Orchid Growing Tips
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The Thrill Of Growing A Blooming Orchid
There's nothing like walking out into your backyard or patio and seeing the exotic spectacle of blooms bursting out of the stems of an orchid. I'm not an expert grower but I've received a number of orchid plants as gifts through the years and even bought a few myself when I couldn't resist their brightly colored blooms. It's definitely the blooms that draw a person in, because the plant itself is bland and nondescript. The few plants I've collected have taught me some of the basics, mostly through trial and error. Once in a while I'll look something up online, but my experience comes mostly from watching what works and repeating it. My Cattleya orchid shown here blooms big violet blooms in pairs several times a year. Cattleyas are very easy to grow and definitely a good plant for beginning orchid enthusiasts.
Beautiful Live Orchids From Amazon
Flowering Orchids Conveniently Delivered To Your Home
Orchids Are Easy To Grow Indoors Or Outside
With Basic Knowledge You Can Keep Your Orchids Healthy
Believe it or not orchids are one of the easiest plants to grow. There are 5 important things to learn and the rest takes care of itself.
- Water - Check the planting medium and water if it's dry. If it's damp leave it alone. Orchids are more often killed by over watering than an occasional lack of water. Orchids like humidity which is perfect for me because Florida air is like a soggy dishcloth. If you live in a drier area use a water spray bottle to spritz the leaves every couple of days.
- Fertilizer - I use a liquid fertilizer made specifically for orchids and fertilize about once a month. In the wintertime I wait a bit longer between feedings. Just make sure to follow the instructions on your orchid fertilizer.
- Light - The amount of sunlight to give your orchid depends on the variety of the plant. Cattleyas, Vandas, and Dendrobiums like brighter light. I don't ever leave them out in the direct scorching Florida sun though. I hang them on a lower tree branch close to the edge of the canopy where they get lots of exposure. Orchids such as Phalaenopsis like it more shady. I try to hang them closer to the trunk of a tree or under the patio. They still like light, just not direct light. If you're growing orchids as houseplants it's a good idea to check an orchid growers handbook for more specific instructions.
- Potting medium - In the wild orchids usually grow on trees, rocks and in the air of South and Central America. The vast majority don't grow in the ground. So when you plant an orchid at your home you should try to imitate the native growing conditions. There are many commercially available potting mediums available. Some include tree bark, charcoal (not the kind you use in your grill), fern moss, and gravel. Usually on the back of the package it will tell which kind is best for which type of orchid. It does make a difference because of the amount of moisture the mix retains. Vanda orchids grow in plain air. I have my Vandas in wooden orchid baskets and the unique way their roots twist and cling to the basket slats is a delight. I just make sure I sprinkle them with my garden hose every couple of days so they get enough moisture.
- Temperature - Orchids like to grow in the same temperatures we humans are comfortable in. If you keep them in an area between 60 and 85 degrees they will thrive. Mine live outside so the temperature isn't regulated. I just try to check the potting medium to make sure they are getting enough moisture when it gets really hot, and I bring them inside if it's going to be under 40 degrees. Also in the summer I make sure they are placed in an area where the sun doesn't burn the leaves.
A Beginners Orchid Collection All In One Package!
This orchid collection package includes at least one orchid with flower buds and they are all blooming size plants. A great way to get started growing orchids.One Phalaenopsis plant in a 4" pot.
One Oncidium alliance plant in a 4" pot.
One Cattleya plant in a 5"-6" pot.
One Paphiopedilum plant in a 3.5" pot.
One minature orchid in a 2.5"-3" pot.
Instructions for care and repotting.
One package of fertilizer.
Vanda Orchid
My Orchid Observations
Some Beginner Thoughts From An Orchid Amateur
I live in Central Florida where it's hot most of the time. It's very easy to grow beautiful orchids outside here. I just bring them in the house when it gets below 40 degrees outside. They can easily be grown as houseplants if you live in a colder climate.One of the first things you will notice when you receive an orchid is that there is no soil. Orchids are grown in bark, moss, or a commercially available potting medium. Some orchids, like Vandas, are grown bare root.
Clay pots with long slats on the side are ideal for planting orchids. I also like to use the square wooden orchid baskets.
I divide my orchids and repot them when they get crowded and I also trim the roots that look old and withered. Vanda orchids don't lend themselves to dividing. If they need a bigger basket I just put the current one down into a larger basket and that's all there is to it.
My Personal Favorite Orchid Flower Varieties
I Like The Most Common Orchids
I stick to the most common types simply because I see them more often and can't resist an impulse purchase, and because they are usually inexpensive. Another reason is because one of my kids will sometimes pick up an orchid as a last minute gift idea at the supermarket. Whatever the reason, even the common orchids are beautiful.
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Cattlelyas - These are the typical corsage orchids. The popular purple Cattleya holds the title "Miss Orchid" and are the most common, but there are a large number of other colors available. Cattleyas usually bloom 2 or more times a year and have 2 to 25 good sized waxy lip flowers per stem. There are also miniature Cattleya varieties.
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Vandas - Vandas are one of my favorite orchids because they have a long stem of blooms. There are more colors of Vanda Orchids than any other orchid but I love the ever popular bluish - purple. I have several Vanda orchids and between them I have blooms almost year round. Vandas like lots of sun and because their roots are grown in the air they like to be watered frequently.
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Dendrobiiums - Dendrobium Orchid Plants are probably the most versatile orchids. They will grow where it's very hot and also in almost freezing weather. They like lots of indirect sunlight and more water than most other orchids. They come in evergreen and deciduous varieties. Low temperatures around 40 degrees can encourage dormancy in the deciduous orchids, which helps the plant bloom stronger in the growing season.
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Phalaenopsis - Phalaenopsis is commonly called the Moth Orchid. In fact the name is derived from a Greek word meaning "resembling a moth". Plalaenopsis orchid stems are full of buds that will last for up to 3 months. When that stem is finished blooming and still green, cut it off above a joint and another stem will appear like magic. These orchids like less light than most so don't expose them to direct sun. I like to keep this one under my patio close to the house.
There Are Hundreds Of Orchids For Sale On eBay
Some At Bargain Prices
Orchid Trivia And Facts
Just For Fun
- Orchids are the second largest family of flowering plants, having approximately 26,000 species. This is more than twice the number of bird species.
- Evidence has been found that orchids were used as herbal medicine in China and India 7,000 years ago.
- Vanilla is an orchid that is grown commercially throughout the world.
- The largest orchid, found in Malaysia, weighs up to 2,000 pounds and grows 10 feet tall. A mature plant can have 10,000 blooms.
- The smallest orchid is found in South America and has a flower only one half millimeter in diameter.
- Ecuador is home to more species of orchids than any other country in the world.
- There are only three orchids native to Hawaii, but there are fourteen orchids native to Nevada.
Orchid Plant Growing Supplies
There Are A Few Growing Supplies That Are Orchid Specific
Dendrobium
My Favorite Orchid Websites
For Those Who Want To Take Orchid Growing To The Next Level
- Orchid Photos
- Hundreds, maybe thousands, of gorgeous photos of blooming orchids.
- Orchid Geeks Orchid Forum
- This Orchid Forum is one of the biggest resources of free information about growing orchids.
- American Orchid Society
- Orchid education, conservation, and research.
About Fitzcharming
Amateur Orchid Grower & Florida Gardener
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And Leave Your Comments
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TheLifestyleChanger
May 30, 2012 @ 8:04 pm | delete
- I adore orchids and always try to have some inside my home. Blessings for the beauty.
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mcs06278
May 30, 2012 @ 2:30 pm | delete
- Nice lens on orchids. I think my favorite variety is Phalaenopsis.
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bloomingrose
May 30, 2012 @ 2:28 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens, I learned a lot. Pinned to my board: How does Your Garden Grow. And for providing so much beauty - big, old Squidoo Angel smooch!
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mercedes73
May 17, 2012 @ 6:46 pm | delete
- Thank you for these great lens!
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Hairdresser007
Feb 9, 2011 @ 12:10 am | delete
- Great orchid lens!!! I'm gonna lensroll it to my orchid lens!
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by Fitzcharming
I live in Central Florida where I work for as a Senior Tax Analyst for a large Fortune 500 company. For fun I play with my dogs Payton and Ozzy, and h... more »
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