Growing Orchids for Beginners

In this introductory article, I will try to give an outline of the process of growing orchids. It is split into seven sections, each highlighting an important part of caring for orchids. They are; choosing your orchid, potting media, light, water, temperature, humidity and fertilizer.

Choosing your orchid
With over 20'000 species of orchid (not including hybrids and cultivars), choosing one for your home can seem quite daunting.

Some can be quite difficult to grow, whilst others (despite popular misconception) are relatively easy. Phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums are good recommendations for beginners as they are suited to survive in the home environment.

Whichever species of orchid you decide to buy, it is important to check out a few things before handing over your money. Firstly make sure that the plant is in proportion to the pot and the roots are in the potting media. Check that the leaves are light green and unblemished and that there are some unopened buds. Also, ensure that it is free of pests and fungal spotting.

Potting media
Orchids do not grow in regular potting soil - in fact planting your orchid in soil is a great way of killing it. In the wild, orchids attach themselves to other structures such as trees or rocks. In the home, the potting media should allow water to drain quite quickly and give the orchid's roots pace to breathe. Good examples are tree bark, wood chips, fern, charcoal and moss.

Light
Giving your orchid too much or too little light is one of the easiest ways to damage and one of the most common causes of unhealthy orchids.

You can tell if your orchid is receiving the right amount of light by looking at it's leaves. Healthy orchid leaves will have a light green colouration whereas an orchid that has been getting too little light will have dark green leaves and an orchid that has been getting too much light will have yellow/red/brown/ leaf colourations.

Water
Generally orchids should be watered around once a week or every 5 days if it is particularly warm. Never over-water your orchid as this can lead the roots to rot - when in doubt, under-water rather than over-water.

Temperature
A temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal as the daytime temperature for most orchids and around 60 degrees F at night. Despite this, orchids are quite tough and can withstand moderate variations from this. It is important to make sure that there is a nocturnal drop in temperature of around 10 degrees F to ensure that your orchids bloom.

Humidity
Orchids require at least a 50% level of humidity to remain healthy. In areas of low humidity, humidity trays can be used to ensure there is enough water in the air for your orchid. These trays sit under your orchid and contain water which will evaporate and rise increasing the humidity level around your orchid.

Fertilizer
It is important to regularly feed your orchid with fertilizer to ensure that it is getting enough nutrients. A 20-20-20 fertilizer is best (the numbers refer to 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorous and 20% potassium respectively). If you have potted your orchid in tree bark, a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content is preferable because bacteria in the bark will also use it, potentially starving the plant.

John Perez, a professional gardener and orchid grower has developed a number of specialist orchid fertilizers. You can get his recipes here.

Summary
By reading this article, you will have gained a foundation of knowledge in caring for orchids. I hope you go on to find success in this rewarding hobby and develop from beginner to expert quickly.

To get a more in-depth knowledge of the orchid, we recommend The Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howell. This tome contains just about everything you need to know about growing orchids for beginners and experts alike.

Good luck and have fun :)

In the first part of our mini-series, "How to Take Care of Orchids", we will look at the factors that must be considered when choosing which type of orchid to buy.

With over 20'000 species (not including the 100'000+ hybrids and cultivars), choosing which orchid to purchase can seem like a daunting task. And then comes the responsibility of making sure the orchid you buy is free from disease and has been looked after correctly. This article will guide you through the process of buying an orchid as well as offering some suggestions for a good "first orchid" for beginners.

Which Genus?
Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to grow successfully. Whilst there are many species that fit into this category, there are also a number of orchids that are relatively easy to manage. If you are a beginner, we would recommend orchids from one of the following genera for your first project.

• Dendrobium - Orchids from this genus originated from South East Asia and are comparatively long lasting. They produce pretty flowers and benefit from lots of light.


• Phalaenopsis - Otherwise known as 'moth' orchids, members of this genus originate from SE Asia and Northern Australia and produce beautiful large blooms.


• Paphiopedilum - Nicknamed 'slipper' orchids due to the unusual shape of their flower pouches, this genus originates from China, India and South East Asia.

Most orchids in these genera will provide an easy introduction to amateur orchid growers.

Where to buy?
We would recommend that you buy your first orchid from a reputable vendor such as your local florist, garden centre or a horticulture specialist. Not only will you know that your orchid has been looked after properly but you will also benefit from the expert advice the sales specialist can provide.

Although it is possible to buy orchids from other sources (your local supermarket, for instance), it is likely that the plant will not have been looked after properly and will be of poor quality. You may also find that the labelling is lacking which can lead to difficulty in the future when you come to providing the optimum environment for the genus/species.

Another advantage of buying from a specialist vendor is that of after-sales service. In most circumstances, if you run into difficulty a knowledgeable ear will only be a phone call away.

Things to check
You will benefit from buying a more mature orchid as your first buy. This is because young orchids are much more difficult to look after than one that has already bloomed or is just beginning to bloom. This is because it has already been acclimatised and is less sensitive to changes in the local environment.

Additionally, before purchasing, it is a good idea to check a number of things to ensure that your orchid is in tip-top shape.

Firstly, check the colouring of the leaves. They should be a medium 'grassy' green colour. Dark green leaves and reddish-green leaves can indicate that the orchid has received inadequate light. The foliage and stem should also be checked to make sure there are no spots or blemishes that could indicate disease, parasites or sun damage. A sticky substance on the leaves can indicate the presence of unwelcome bugs.

The orchid that you buy should possess some blooms but there will still be some unopened buds. This is because you will be able to see what the flowers look like but your orchid will still have plenty of "blooming time" after you have bought it. An orchid that has opened all it's buds will be towards the end of it's 'blooming cycle'.

Also, the flowers should be well above the foliage.

Ideally, the roots of the orchid should be securely attached to the potting media. You can check this by holding the stem of the orchid at the base, near to the potting media and gently pulling. If it feels loose or if you can pull it out of the pot, the orchid is not attached properly and you may need to re-pot it when you get it home.

If you can see the roots, make sure that they are firm, thick and fleshy and not dried up or rotten. A healthy orchid's roots are light green when dry and dark green when wet and have a long pointed tip.

How to look after orchids
Now that you know what to look for, you can go out and buy your first orchid. Hopefully, the vendor that buy from will be able to give you'll the advice and information you need, but if not take a look at our other articles in the series:

How to Take Care of Orchids Part 1: Choosing Your Orchid
How to Take Care of Orchids Part 2: Potting Media
How to Take Care of Orchids Part 3: Light
How to Take Care of Orchids Part 4: Water
How to Take Care of Orchids Part 5: Fertilizer
How to Take Care of Orchids Part 6: Temperature & Humidity

If you would like a more in-depth knowledge about growing orchids for beginners and experts alike, we highly recommend Nigel Howell's Orchid Care Expert. Nigel is currently offering two additional gardening books with every purchase as well as a full money-back guarantee if you aren't 100% satisfied.

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