Orchids are my favorite flowers and this is my own purple phalaenopsis orchid plant.
I truly do not have a green thumb and I've been told that orchids are too difficult to keep so at first I thought "why bother" but I'm here to tell you, do not listen to the nay sayers! If I can do it, anyone can. Not only is my orchid alive, it is blooming. And it is beautiful. The blooms last for months and absolutely make my lanai a better place to be.
Add an orchid to your home and see what a difference it makes!
Add an orchid to your home and see what a difference it makes!
Official Definition and Classification
Orchidaceae, the Orchid family, is the largest family of the flowering plants (Angiospermae).Number of orchidsOrchid Fact File, Royal Botanic gardens, Kew Its name is derived from the genus Orchis.
The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list 880 genera and nearly 22,000 accepted species, but the exact number is unknown (perhaps as many as 25,000)CLASSIFICATION OF ORCHIDACEAE IN THE AGE OF DNA DATA because of taxonomic disputes. The number of orchid species equals about four times the number of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird sp...
Orchids really don't need that much...
At least not this variety:
Just humidity and water and a place to grow.I have a Phalaenopsis orchid - the one with broad leaves and tall stems that hold delicate purple blooms. There are endless color varieties, but this particular one seems to be abundant at nurserys, very readily available.
With this particular plant, you want the leaves to be nice and fat and fleshy, not veiny or thin. If the leaves are thin, it isn't getting enough water.
Creating the perfect environment for an orchid.
If you don't live in the tropics you'll need to create some moisture.
Since I live way south in Florida, I keep my orchids outside on a shaded lanai that receives the morning sunlight. It's always humid and slightly breezy and the indirect sunlight is exactly right. Yay for me, but if you live in Cleveland you'll need to adapt things for this plant.
Make it humid for your orchid.
Easy enough, add water and a little heat.
Bathrooms are a great place for this variety of orchid because of the humidity, especially if you take lots of long hot showers.
A window with indirect sunlight is a great spot too, just so it isn't too hot in summer or too drafty in winter. (Try a south facing window.) Add small, pretty rocks to a tray and add water, then place your potted plant on top of the rocks. This will create the humidity needed to make phalaenopsis happy.
A window with indirect sunlight is a great spot too, just so it isn't too hot in summer or too drafty in winter. (Try a south facing window.) Add small, pretty rocks to a tray and add water, then place your potted plant on top of the rocks. This will create the humidity needed to make phalaenopsis happy.
Absolutely beautiful orchids:
Endless varieties and incredible colors make you stop and look.
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What's it like here?
Ahhhh. Let's go to the beach.
Current weather conditions in Naples, FL (34108)
Local Pollen Reports
77°F (Feels like 81°F)
Last update: 12/25/09 1:53 PM EST
Humidity: 88%Visibility: 7.0 mi
Dew Point: 73°F
UV Index: 2 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 29.89in falling
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 17mph From: Airport Conditions
Today
Rain
High: 78°F
Low: 58°F
Sunrise: 7:13 AM
Sunset: 5:43 PM
Saturday
Dec 26
T-Showers
High: 71°F
Low: 54°F
Sunrise: 7:13 AM
Sunset: 5:43 PM
Sunday
Dec 27
Partly Cloudy
High: 76°F
Low: 59°F
Sunrise: 7:13 AM
Sunset: 5:44 PM
Monday
Dec 28
Cloudy
High: 72°F
Low: 45°F
Sunrise: 7:14 AM
Sunset: 5:45 PM
What's in the pot?
No dirt here, just airy bark and moss.
Its very easy to find potting material at your local nursery, and your orchid likes to be re-potted about once a year.
I like to use a typical bark medium, in a pot with lots of drainage holes. While enjoying moisture, they don't want to be sitting in a pot of water. Good ventilation is important. And orchids do best when potted tightly- if the pot is too large they may tend to focus growth on roots and won't flower for quite a long time.
I like to use a typical bark medium, in a pot with lots of drainage holes. While enjoying moisture, they don't want to be sitting in a pot of water. Good ventilation is important. And orchids do best when potted tightly- if the pot is too large they may tend to focus growth on roots and won't flower for quite a long time.
How to re-pot an orchid:
Very good video instruction, step by step.
Plant Care Guide: Green Thumb Techniques : How to Properly Place an Orchid in a Pot
Tips for carefully and safely placing an orchid inside a pot is discussed in this free educational video series. Expert: John Mueller Contact: www.ParadisePalm.com Bio: John Mueller has been the Manager of Paradise Palm in Salt Lake City, Utah for eleven years. He has worked in plant care services for close to two decades. Filmmaker: joseph wilkins
Runtime: 139
10813 views
2 Comments:
curated content from YouTube
Keeping the blooms standing upright.
How to be sure the support doesn't fall over.
Sometimes when your orchid blooms the stem will be so tall that you'll want to insert a support into the potting mixture and attach the stem so it stands up. If the stick doesn't seem secure, you can use metal pot clips to stabilize the plant and stick. See this video for a visual on how to:
Stabilizing tips
powered by Youtube
Potting kit and benches for your hobby:
This supply kit includes everything you'll need. (including those pot clips!)
From Amazon: Our kit contains: orchid potting media(Lg. Coconut Chips), 5 4in, 4 5in and 3 6in pots, wood and plastic 4in baskets with hangers, pot clips, ring stands, 20-10-20 soluble and 15-9-12 Osmocote slow release fertilizer, Superthrive and sphagnum moss.
Orchid Potting Supplies Kit
Amazon Price: $41.95 (as of 12/25/2009) 
Potting Bench With Dropleaf
Amazon Price: $172.49 (as of 12/25/2009)
Amish Country Collectible Functional Potting Bench/ Potting Table. This Wooden Bench Will Fast Become a Favorite. Amish Handcrafted. Measures 50 1/2" (Back Height) X 35" (Front Height), Table and Bottom Shelf-38" (Width) X 24" (Depth). Top Shelf 41 1/2" L X 6" W, Back Boards 3/4".
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Alligator Board - Work n' More Universal Work and Potting Bench
Amazon Price: $219.95 (as of 12/25/2009)
Strathwood Kapur Hardwood Potting Bench
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
These make wonderful gifts:
Give blooms that last for months.
Mini Tranquility Platter - Phalaenopsis Orchid
Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 12/25/2009)
Mini Phalaenopsis in Green
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Phalaenopsis Orchid Collection (5 - 4" plants)
Amazon Price: $65.00 (as of 12/25/2009)
Be sure to feed your beautiful orchid.
They will love you for giving them something to eat.
I like to use a granulated orchid food that is dissolved in water. Just be sure to read the directions on the package and never apply the food directly on the plant without first dissolving in water.
Orchid food:
United Industries Corp 10910-1 Orchid Food
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
The Scotts Co. 100199 Miracle Gro Orchid Food
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
GROW MORE Growth Fertilzer 30-10-10 (1.0 Lb)
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 12/25/2009)
United Industries Corp 10910-1 Orchid Food
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Resources and links all about orchids:
- You can grow orchids!
- Informative site with loads of information to make caring for your beautiful plant easy.
- Big leaf orchids
- This site specializes in phalaenopsis orchids and has an amazing gallery!
- Development of Phalaenopsis Orchids for the Mass-Market
- Lots of technical stuff for you intellectual types that want to know about that sort of thing...
Orchids are beautiful:
Blue Cat Orchid Magnet
Price: 4.73
Orchid Fever Tote Bag
Price: 15.99
Orchid Wall Clock
Price: 14.99
Orchid Bell Keepsake Box
Price: 23.99
Mousepad
Price: 11.99
Blogs about orchids:
- Phalaenopsis orchid? - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum ...
- My parents received an orchid from their neighbors as a holiday gift, and because I'm the only one present who has ever cared for an orchid, I've.
About the girl that put this lens together:
Lensmaster Superwife has been a member since January 22 2009, has rated 234 lenses, favorited 186, and has created 51 lenses from scratch. Michelle McKinley donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Yum! Cupcakes!". See all my lenses
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I truly do not have a green thumb and I've been told that orchids are too difficult to keep so at first I thought "why bother" but I'm here to tell you, do not listen to the nay sayers! If I can do it, anyone can. Not only is my orchid alive, it is b... view lens -
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- paperfacets paperfacets Nov 18, 2009 @ 2:24 am
- I have the perfect page to lensroll this with. 5* for your article and the orchid.
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- Pastiche Pastiche Sep 9, 2009 @ 11:52 am
- I have two orchids. One is doing just fine in an east-southeast window with humidity tray, the other my DH repotted and now I think it's a goner. Too much soil and not enough air in the planting mix made it soggy ... sigh. Nicely done - I love my plants, indoors and out.
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- ClassyGals ClassyGals Aug 8, 2009 @ 10:14 am
- Never grew orchids, thanks for the great info about them! Five stars
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- blue22d blue22d Jun 20, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
- I love orchids. Never tried to grow or keep any in the house but I am tempted after reading this. I found where we live Trader Joe's has the best prices and many varieties (Southern California). Five stars and I hope you will visit one of my lenses.
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- Superwife Superwife Jun 19, 2009 @ 6:24 am | in reply to Sue
- Now there's a really good question. You'll need a tall, thin bamboo stick and floral wire to attach the stem with. The potting mixture needs to be packed loosely, but not too loose that the stick falls over. Sometimes it helps to gently insert the stick through a few roots for stability. (I'll be working on adding a few tips in this regard to this lens, thanks for the question!)
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- Sue Sue Jun 18, 2009 @ 7:43 pm
- I love orchids but how do you support the weight of the flowers? I have not been able to figure out how to keep them from falling over. Anything I put in the pot to support them just topples right over with the flowers. Help. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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- C-Joy C-Joy Jun 5, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
- Hmmm, my bathroom faces north - will it still grow there? I shall have to try for myself!
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- GrowWear GrowWear May 7, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
- I like that their flowers are long-lived. Well, that's second, First, I like their beauty. Yours in the introduction is spectacular!
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- KarateKatGraphics KarateKatGraphics May 7, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
- Beautiful flower. Inspiring lens for us not-so-green thumbs!
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- OhMe OhMe May 7, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
- Beautiful lens for a beautiful plant. My husband just finished dividing and re-potting his orchids. We really enjoy them.
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- seashell2 seashell2 May 7, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
- Nice lens... orchids are beautiful... great information!
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- daria369 daria369 May 7, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
- I love and grow all kinds of flowers and never gave a try to an orchid yet! This lens made me wonder... :)
Thank you for joining one of my groups! See more and add your lenses to link plexos at: http://www.squidoo.com/all-inclusive
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz May 7, 2009 @ 11:35 am
- I love the fact that the orchid blossom lasts forever. I have never owned one because they seem too hard to care for. After reading this lens I might try.
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- Heather426 Heather426 May 7, 2009 @ 11:13 am
- I love orchids and often go to orchid shows at botanical events here in Los Angeles. This is a great primer on how to grow them. 5*
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Thank you for stopping by!
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