Repotting Orchids, How To Repot Orchids

admin March 9th, 2010

If you decided to grow orchid in your home then you must know all about how take care of orchids. Here are some quick tips for repotting orchids.

Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the easiest orchids to grow in the home. The name "phalaenopsis" comes from the Greek phalaina, meaning "moth" and opsis, meaning "like". For this reason this orchid goes by the nick name "Moth Orchid".

These orchids are very easy to grow and flower as long as care is given to recreate their natural growing environment as much as possible.

–Where should I buy my orchid?

Avoid buying cheap plants. Although you can find orchids for sale at many home centers for under $15, they are usually not in very good condition. They may have been forced to flower prematurely which weakens the plant. It’s also unlikely that they’ve been given proper care during their time in the store which can lead to root rot and other conditions.

Your best bet is to find a reputable grower in your area. Many local orchid societies have shows and exhibitions which are open to the public. This is a great opportunity to buy plants and find local dealers. Here is a list of orchid societies to get you started on your search: www.orchidmall.com/society.htm

If you choose to do your research online for your orchid, www.orchidmall.com is a good place to start gathering information.

–What potting medium is best for Phalaenopsis orchids? Orchid Bark? Sphagnum?

There is some debate on the subject of potting medium for phals orchids. Orchid bark is generally recommended as home growers may unintentionally over water, are less likely to rot the root system due to the better drainage of the bark mix.

Many commercial growers prefer sphagnum moss as it keeps the roots evenly moist and dries more uniformly. If you choose to go with the sphag you need to be careful to avoid over-watering.

–How often should I water my Phalaenopsis orchid?

When the potting mix is almost dry it’s time to water your plant. You’ll usually need to water your plant about once or twice a week. The watering schedule will change with the temperature. The warmer the temperature, the more often you’ll need to water.

–How often should I fertilize my orchid?

As the old saying goes, "Weakly – Weekly". Use a balanced fertilizer, diluted to 1/4 the manufacturer recommende 1000 d strength, once a week for three weeks skipping the fourth week of each four week cycle. Skipping the fourth week allows you to flush any residual fertilizer from the plant during normal watering.

Always water your plant before fertilizing.

–What humidity level is needed?

Phals enjoy around 50% humidity. Often, keeping your plant in a bathroom provides sufficient humidity. If the humidity is too low you can use a humidity tray. Humidity trays can be found at your local garden center or you can make one at home by filling a shallow container with pebbles and water and placing your potted orchid on top of it.

–What is the ideal temperature for my Phaleanopsis Orchid?

The temperature should range from 70 to 80 degrees F during the day and go down to between 55 to 65 degrees at night.

In order to ensure healthy blooms, orchids require a temperature fluctuation of 10 – 15 degrees F between night and day.

–What lighting conditions are ideal for Phalaenopsis orchids?

Phalaenopsis orchids prefer eastern lighting. An alternative is shaded light from a south facing window. For proper flowering Phalaenopsis orchids require 1000 – 1500 foot candles of light. Here’s a useful tip on measuring light levels with an SLR camera: www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/newbie-questions/292-measuring-light-levels-with-an-slr-camera.html?highlight=measuring

Proper lighting conditions are important to the success of your plant. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves and plants grown in dim light will develop floppy dark green leaves and will rarely flower.

–Should I cut the flower spike after blooming?

Phaleanopsis orchids will often re-bloom from the same flower spike. After the initial blooming you should cut the spike about halfway back, just above one of the nodes. You should see new blooms within 8-12 weeks.

Cut the spike off entirely by mid-summer to allow your plant to regain its strength for next year’s blooms.

Seal the cut with melted candle wax or a dusting of cinnamon powder (a natural fungicide) to prevent bacterial infection.

–How often should I re-pot my orchid?

Repotting orchids is like spring cleaning. It gives you an opportunity to replace decomposed potting medium, remove dead roots and remove residual fertilizer salts. To keep your plants healthy you should re-pot your orchid every 1-1/2 to 2 years.

Following these simple tips will give you happy, healthy Phalaenopsis orchids for many years to come.

Other such posts:

An Introduction to Phalaenopsis Orchids
Remove the flower stem, place it in a bud container then repot. , I will repot any orchid in moss as rapidly as I get it home but doing this is not easy and may upshot in spoil to the flowers. Normally it takes me fewer than 5 report.

Orchid Care
Orchid care. Repotting your Cattleya orchid? Cattleya orchids do not like being disturbed and you should therefore repot them no more often than every 2-3 years. Replace the medium if it gets moldy or stops draining as it should.

2 orchids from Hawaii
If you haven’t repotted that’s always a good place to start and you can have a look at the roots. Media used should drain well. Small grade fir bark or coconut husk for example. Or a ready made orchid mix ‘small’ or ‘fine’ grade.

Orchid Planted in a Clear Glass Vase
Repot in the morning, so the orchid has enough daylight hours to recuperate. Here’s a photo before repotting: orchid before repotting. And after: orchid repotted into clear glass vase. Pebbles at the bottom, above it the bark.

Re-pot Cattleya Werneri
This is one of 30 or so Cattleya Werneri I got in flask. They are all growing like crazy! They were potted about a year ago. Is it time to repot again.   

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admin March 8th, 2010

Repotting orchids should be done at least every two years. If you don’t repot your orchids they might die or will produce less flowers. You can easily see when it’s time for repotting.

If your growing medium has broken down or if new growths extend over the edge of the pot, it’s time for you to repot the plant. Although it can seem difficult your first time around, it’s not such a hard task. This article will give you a few tips to help you.

Timing

One of the first things you need to consider is when to repot. If you wait longer than two years, then the potting medium will break down. This will prevent air circulation from reaching the roots. Also, the medium will start retaining too much moisture, which will increase the risk of root rot. You should repot the plant in early summer before new growth starts to appear.

Pot Type

One of the next things to consider when repotting cymbidiums orchid plants is the type of pot to place the plant in. Two of the most popular choices include clay and plastic. Clay pots dry out faster than their plastic counterparts, so you will need to water your plant more often.

It’s also important to select a design that has drainage holes. If not, the standing water will cause the roots to die which will kill your plant. Some growers like using clear pots because it allows the roots to receive light. This is especially beneficial for species that have roots capable of photosynthesis.

Pot Size

The size of the pot is also important. As mentioned earlier, you should repot your orchid every two years. Therefore, the size of the pot should be large enough to accommodate two years of growth. However, you should avoid using one that is too large. This won’t give the potting medium time to dry enough before it’s time to water again. The roots of the plant will likely rot in this situation.

Stability

You also need to make sure that the plant is stable after putting it into a new pot. You can easily accomplish this by using a wire plant tie or a bamboo stake. This will give the new root system time to get anchored so it can keep the plant upright without help.

Disease

The final thing you need to be careful about when repotting orchids is disease. While moving your plant to a new pot, you should use cutting utensils to get rid of dead or extremely l 1000 ong roots. Make sure that your utensils have been sterilized before using them. You can use diluted bleach or rubbing alcohol to do this. This way your plant won’t be exposed to a viral infection that will likely kill it.

Repotting orchids is just one aspect of caring for them. Care4ochids.com is a great resource to learn how to take proper care of orchids. So, come by right now so that you can become an expert at caring for orchids.

Other such posts:

Phalaenopsis orchid care
Phalaenopsis orchids seldom grow to big for their pots. But it is still good to change the substrate every two years to prevent mold and fungi to infect the medium. Only water scarcely for the first few weeks after repotting as the.

Prevention of orchid pest and disease
it happend when i brought new purchesed orchid, for a thumb rule every new orchid i buy or get, i take it out of the pot an examen his roots and condition, this is how i found the worms and snails, so i remove them and repot the plant.

Quick Tips For Repotting Orchids
Quick tips for repotting orchids. Spring is the best time of year to repot and split orchids and at Writhlington spring starts early. One plant that needed drastic attention was this old plant of Odontoglossum cristatum. A lovely cool growing species from Colombia.

How To Re-Pot An Orchid In Easy Steps
A guide showing you how to re-pot your Orchid easily at home. Repotting orchids is a delicate task and can easily go wrong.

How To Repot A Paphiopedilum
This orchid had not been repotted since it was received. During the last three years the plant has been a reliable bloomer, so it seemed best to not fix something that was not broken. But this winter it was noticed that the roots were.

Dendrobium leaf issue
Newly repot plants are susceptible to water stress which can cause premature leaf drop and if you are going to repot orchids as you’re heading into summer you need to keep them protected from excessive light/heat/low humidity while they.

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admin March 6th, 2010

There are different types of orchids and naturally they need different care. Procedure of repotting orchids is not the same with all types of this flower.

Most orchids will produce blooms once a year but there are some which are capable of producing blooms several time a year if the growing conditions are just right, if not quite right they should still bloom once a year. Since your orchid was in bloom last Christmas, my guess is that it should do so at that time again.

Since it is already October, if it were to bloom at Christmas time this year, it should be showing evidence of a new flower stem growing. But, depending upon what kind of orchid you have, it can take from one month to six months for a new flower stem to be in full bloom once it begins to grow.

On most orchids, once the flowers have all died and fallen off, you may remove the stem by cutting it off down near the base of the flower stem. Prior to cutting off the stem, take a look at the top or tip of the stem to see if it has begun to dry, if it does start to dry that means the stem is dying and may be removed. If there are any bulbs on the orchid, you should leave them alone as they are a store of moisture and nutrients for the orchid.

Most dendrobiums are not that hard to grow but getting them to bloom reliably is the hard part. Moving them to Florida will make it easier. Why? The climate and sunshine it will receive all year round rather than the cold darkness in Indiana. Dendrobiums prefer warm bright weather, they will sulk and even die under cold dark conditions.

From your description of them, I take it that they are of the evergreen family of dendrobiums. If they were from the deciduous family you would have mentioned that some of the growths had lost all their leaves. The primary difference between the two families is that evergreens do not like dry conditions while deciduous ones need a pronounced dry period.

Why your evergreen dendrobiums have not rebloomed for you is in what you said "Since it is so cold and dark here in Indiana". Whether in Indiana or Florida, place them in a location with bright indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60 to 85%F, humidity above 50%, light air movement around them. A good way to tell if it is getting enough light is to look at the leaves, they will be a medium green color when it is just right.

A word of caution if you take them to Florida, move them into any new light conditions slowly over several weeks, as too sudden an exposure to brighter light may cause sunburn of the leaves. If possible, try exposing them to temperatures in the mid 50%F’s for a month in the fall, that may help trigger them into the bloom cycle.

If, by chance, the leaves fall off, leave the growths on the dendrobium as they are a storage mechanism for moisture and nutrients. Only remove the growths that appear to be dying. As for those new growths, they may appear to stop growing due to the cold dark weather but should perk back up once things warm up and they receive more light.

You do not have to wait for a bloom to identify the type of orchid that it is if it is one of the more commonly available orchids. The most common is "phalaenopsis" that has large roundish to oblong leaves at the base of the plant and the flower spike grows from the apex of the leaves. Other common types are "the dendrobium, the lady slippers, and the Cattleyas". Each has a distinctive vegetative structure. If there was no tag with the plant, then I’m afraid there is no way to know the name of the hybrid since so many different hybrids have similar flower types and colors.

There are three principal types of containers for orchids. Phalaenopsis and lady slipper orchids are usually grown in a plastic pot, the heavier or more top heavy plants such as dendrobiums or cattleyas are better maintained in clay pots. Baskets are reserved for vandaceous orchids and require a very humid environment because the mix dries out very quickly. I would use a commercially prepared orchid mix that you can buy in bags at garden centers and mass marketers. I would soak this mix overnight before using it and drain it well before potting up your orchid plant in it.

Orchids that have maroon leaves generally get that way from having grown in bright sunlight. That suggests to you that either it was neglected or it likes bright light. It is not uncommon for orchids to outgrow their pots. Many feel this is the time divide and repot the plant, but that is personal preference. Many orchids do just fine hanging way out of the pot.

Since I don’t know what type of orchid you have, I can only hazard a guess that they are roots emerging from the pot drainage holes. Some orchids send out bloom spikes from the base of the plant but those are potted in baskets not clay pots.

For now, if the plant looks healthy,I would leave it as is until you get a further development such as flowering, plant die back, new growth starting,etc. Orchids put on new growth once a year and usually, but not always, in the spring. Just keep an eye on it and it should be fine. Then you will be able to know what type of orchid it is by the bloom. If not just go back to where you got the orchid and see if they know what type of orchid it is.

If you would like to learn even more about orchid care visit our how to repot an orchid site where you will get all the information on how to repot an orchid correctly. 

Other such posts:

An introduction to Orchids as Houseplants
For best results, orchids are potted in a fluffy or chunky mix that gives a nice balance of holding moisture but allowing air circulation. To maintain root health, repotting your orchids into fresh potting media every one to three years.

Orchids Will Bloom
Orchids will bloom. If your roots stay wet for longer..Lucky you…You don’t have to water as often…. Can you post pics of the medium/roots? as your plants look ok & I don’t understand why you want to repot?

Repot Paph Pinocchio
From what I have read, Paph’s need to be repotted once a year. Do the multi-florals also get repotted every year? If so, for how long will the Paph Pinocchio continue flowering? Will the flowering stem have to be removed if it is still.

Garden Variety
Orchid Care and Repotting February 6, 11:00am Jan Gannon of Valley View will demonstrate repotting an orchid. Bring your orchid and we will help you repot. There will be a small fee for Orchid Potting Mix.

Help me save my orchid
Yep…time to repot. Repotting is not too complicated of a process if you’ve got good instructions. Luckily this site has a few good links on repotting orchids: Click here for a very nice article on repotting Phals.

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admin March 3rd, 2010

Growing orchids is becoming more and more popular. As beautiful as orchids are they need a special attention. They are delicate plants and you need to know how to take care of orchids properly.

The delicate blossoms of these tropical plants are a delight and worth the effort needed to keep these plants healthy and happy away from the tropical habitat where they thrive naturally. Many people become frustrated with their attempts to grow orchids when they enter their dormant phase. But with patience and proper care you can keep your orchid alive and thriving to bloom another day.

1. In the tropics, orchids receive a refreshing shower periodically. To simulate this environment, place your orchid in the sink and pour room temperature water gently over the entire plant, leaves and all. Be sure and allow tap water to sit in a pitcher 12 to 24 hours to allow the chemicals to evaporate. Continuing to water your orchids after flowering is still an essential ingredient to proper orchid care.
2. Repotting orchids every 12 to 24 months. To do this, first remove the orchid from the pot it is currently in. Shake the roots to loosen and remove the old potting mixture. Then, rinse the roots gently and trim away any roots that have died. Place the plant in a pot that is just a little bit larger. Add potting mixture that is designed specifically for orchids filling in around the plant. Water thoroughly.
3. Be sure the pot you choose to put your orchid in has plenty of holes. You can purchase ceramic pots that have large openings in the design of the pot on the sides. These are ideal for orchids. Check the pot periodically to make sure that drainage holes have not been clogged.
4. Orchids enter a dormant phase after they have finished their blooming cycle. This lasts anywhere from 10 weeks to 9 months. Orchid care after flowering requires that you keep them out of the direct sun and away from rigorous airflow. Filtered sun is all they need and perhaps a small fan. Make sure there still is sufficient potting material in the pot to sustain the plant. Add extra if needed.
5. Orchids after flowering can be hung from a tree branch in a location that receives indirect sunlight. The extra humidity they receive outdoors is very good for the orchid. The plant may not look like it is growing and you may even wonder if it is still living. It is very busy storing up energy for its next round of blossoms, so be sure and keep it on its regular schedule watering and fertilizing schedule.
6. When the outdoor temperature reaches down into the low 50′s, bring the orchid back inside. The cooler temperatures will promote the new flowering spikes that will eventually result in another round of blossoms.
7. Orchid care after flowering requires that you remove the spikes after all of the flowers have dropped. There are several ways that this can be done. Some people leave the spikes on the plant for a couple of weeks as they continue to feed and water as usual. Sometimes a new spike will appear on an old one resulting in a number of blossoms. If this does not occur and the spikes begin to dry up and turn brown, remove the spikes by clipping them close to the base of the plant.
8. Some people prefer to remove the spikes immediately upon the shedding of the spent blooms. This is also a very good time to double check the potting mixture to make sure there is enough and to remove debris from any plugged drain holes.
9. Throughout the dormant phase, spray the orchid roots and leaves with fertilizer that has been diluted with water. This can be done once or twice each week. I will help generate growth and strengthen orchids after flower.

1. Orchid care after flowering is really not much different than that required during periods when the plant has blossoms. It still should be watered, fed and kept in optimum conditions. The most important thing to remember is that the dormant period can last a long time. As long as the leaves continue to look healthy, try to be patient and wait for that magical time when new blossoms will once again appear.

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Caring For Your Orchids
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Orchids at the U.S. Botanic Garden
Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden and enjoy the annual display of orchids through April 11, 2010. "Orchids: A Cultural Odyssey" will include a Sri Lankan creature made entirely of orchids, a living wall of hundreds of phalaenopsis.

Chinoiserie Chic
For the lover of Chinoiserie, a beautiful bouquet of orchids or a potted orchid would make a lovely Valentine’s Day gift. Orchids are graceful, elegant, sophisticated, and long-lasting. A perfect symbol of your love.

A garden of orchids
A garden of orchids. Submitted by Alicia Spates on February 11, 2010 – 7:16pm. Prepare your gardens for the spring, with the Chicago Suburban Orchid Show and Sale on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20 and 21, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.

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admin March 2nd, 2010

Orchids are one of the most beautiful plants on Earth. But their beauty comes with high price. Taking care of orchids is not easy and a lot of gardeners avoid them as much as possible. If you decided to grow orchids anyway then read this tips on how to take care of orchids.

However I’m hear to tell you that you are missing out on some amazing plants if you haven’t explored orchids. Although it is best to make a note of the specific requirements of each variety, Just keeping a few tips in mind will help you avoid the pain and heartache.

1. Start with Easy Care Varieties and Look for good quality plants

There are many popular types of orchid, including cymbidium hybrids, cattleyas, dendrobiums, oncidiums and vandas. For the beginners out there, I recommend staring with an easy care variety such as cymbidium hybrids. This variety is readily available, easy to grow and easy on the pocket. Phalaenopsis (which are popularly known as the moth orchids) and Cypripediums (also known as slipper orchids) are also an easy variety to manage. are also commonly recommended for most beginners. The draw back of growing some orchids is that the they can grow a lot of foliage. As the flowers may only emerge for one – two months you could spend most of the year with a lot of unsightly leaves. If you prefer a more compact, but still manageable variety, consider the Miltonias.

First, when choosing an individual plant don’t worry if you see some roots out of the mix. Orchids are epiphtes i.e. therefore the roots like being exposed to the air, and should look healthy and solid, not broken-up and spindly. It is best to choose plants with firm and shiny leaves and already in flower. Buying orchids in flower allows you to see the color and assess the plant for it’s ability to produce healthy flowers.

2. Orchids need sunlight

however I recommend avoiding direct sunlight. If you have any dark areas at home, consider some artificial lighting for a few hours in the day.

Light is the key factor to successfully raise and bloom orchids. It is often possible to determine much light an orchid needs by looking over it’s the leaves. The ideal leaf color is a light grass green. If your orchid is receiving too much light, the leaves become very yellow; therefore you will need to move the plant to more shade. If the leaves turn a very deep and dark green the orchid may not be receiving enough light. .

3. Orchids need plenty of humidity.

Place the containers in a gravel tray containing some water (making sure that the water does not reach the top of the pebbles) , or mist at regular intervals. If you keep in mind that humidity is affected by temperature and light, it is better to mist during the day time. Adding humidity late in the day or in the evening may contribute to excessive condensation which could result in leaf and root rot.

4. Orchids are sensitive to draughts and cold temperatures.

Keep them away from draughty windows especially at night.

Cymbidium hybrids like cool rooms with very good light and a minimum temperature of 11?C is ideal between October and May. Phalaenopsis / Doritaenopsis hybrids & Paphiopedilum hybrids
Keep this orchid in a centrally heated room with a minimum temperature of 15?C. Vuylstekeara, Odontocidium, Miltonia, Odontoglossum, Oerstedella, Masdevallia & Epidendrum hybrids
A cool, well-lit position out of direct sunlight with a minimum temperature of 11?C is suitable all year round.

5. Orchids require regular feeding in the summer.

orchids are very adaptable plants, grabbing nutrients from whatever happens to be nearby – leaves, droppings, or minerals in rainwater. Give your orchids a little help by feeding it the right fertilizers. Look for products that contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), along with trace elements such as iron.

6. Start repotting orchids only when the roots have filled the container, and make sure to use specialist potting mixture from your garden centre.

Different potting mixtures are required for each orchid genus, depending on whether it is land growing or epiphytic (tree growing and obtaining nutrients from the air). Fir bark, coconut husk, tree fern fibers, sphagnum moss usually make up the potting media. Re-potting at regular intervals helps re-fresh the potting media.

Orchids may be potted in a variety of containers, however the container material may influence the watering frequency. Because clay pots dry out faster than other pots, plants in clay pots will need more frequent watering. Do make sure that your pots have good drainage, as orchids and their roots are not designed to stand in water.

7. Over watering is not a good idea.

It is best to water when the compost is almost dry. Most orchids are epiphytes, they are air plants and won’t grow in soil. The roots need to dry slightly between watering.

I recommend watering your orchids just once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer. Of course climatic conditions and potting mixture will affect the amount of moisture retained, so it is always a good idea to test your moisture levels if you are unsure whether to water. Poke your finger in to one inch, and if it feels damp (but not soggy) you don’t need to water. Make sure that do not let the potting mixture completely dry either,

As most orchids in the wild grow on trees or other plants, they get moisture from the air. An Allow water run to or be sprayed over the roots and surrounding moss, but do not let them stand in water. Over watering your orchids usually results in mushy, brown, dead roots.

Remember less is more!

I don’t recommend watering with tap water, as this is chemically treated. Go for rainwater and preferably at room temperature. The shock of cold water is a contributing factor towards early orchid death,

8. Room temperate in most homes will be acceptable for growing orchids, anywhere between 55F at night and 80F during the day is best.

Another thing to remember is that in their native environment nearly all plants are exposed to constant breezes. Orchids are no exceptions. Moving air will help them and cut down on disease problems. A small fan will quickly pay for itself by giving you better growing conditions.

In the wild, gentle continual breezes along the leafy canopy of the rain forest are vital for the survival of orchids and other air plants. Air movement acts as preventive medicine for orchids. It helps evaporate stagnant water, trapped during watering, where fungi and bacteria breed. Without ventilation or fresh circulating air, orchids eventually die from rot, lack of a continual carbon dioxide source, or infection. Ventilation also helps orchids tolerate intense light without getting burnt leaves.

You can easily improve air movement in your home so orchids grow happily. During the summer, when temperatures are high, open windows to allow fresh air to come inside. And when wintertime comes, you can use an ordinary oscillating fan to mimic the gentle breezes in the leafy canopy of a tropical forest. It is important to occasionally change the direction of the airflow so the area does not dry out.

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If you love orchids
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admin March 1st, 2010

Orchid is one of the most beautiful and desirable flowers today. But unluckily taking care of orchids is not so easy. Here are some tips on how to care for orchids.

Whether you wish to send them as a thank you or a message of love, or grow and cultivate them yourself, these beautiful flowers can light up even the drabbest of rooms with their multitude of colors and extravagant looks. Yet in order for them to remain at their best, you need to know the specifics of how to take care of orchids properly.

Since there are many variations of orchids, you should check the specific care needs of yours. However, as a general rule, the following guidelines will help your orchid thrive:

• There are two sets of temperature to orchids at. While you can go as low as 60 degrees F at night, you should keep this between 75-85 degrees F in daylight hours.
• Although orchids enjoy sunlight, try keeping them shaded during the warmer parts of the day, between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
• Water is not as important a factor in how to take care of orchids as it might be with other flowers or plants. Unlike many other plants, orchids grow as if they were on top of trees, so very little water is required.
• You only need to worry about repotting orchids roughly every two or three years. Unless they outgrow their pot or the mixture it’s planted in becomes damaged; then you will need to re-pot before this.
• When it comes to feeding an orchid, they are very low maintenance. Since they thrive on sunlight and a minimum of water, you only need to add to this once a month with alternative products. A good source of nourishment is any kind of fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. The good thing with orchids is that they can be fed all year round, unlike many other plants.
• Maintaining the plant is extremely easy. When the very last flower has gone, simply cut down the stem of the flower pike, and then seal the cut with either melted candle wax or a slight amount of powdered cinnamon. Keep looking after the plant until you can see if it’s going to bloom again.

As you can see, it’s not difficult to learn how to care for orchids properly, even if you’re a beginner to gardening or plants in general. With just a little maintenance, these wonderful plants can cover any garden or plant area with their vibrant color, and give you hours of relaxation as you look out at them.

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admin February 27th, 2010

What makes an orchid such a special flower? Why are more and more people interested in growing orchids? 

Is your Cymbidium orchid flowers with yellow spikes that are starting to wither? Are you unsure as to whether you should cut the spike or simply let it wither away? This article will help solve this problem, but first you need to consider some basic facts about this type of flowering orchid.

When it comes to caring for orchids, the Cymbidiums are the most popular of al water and spring blooming orchids that have their own unique flowering features. The Cymbidium has a thick and waxy flower with five pointed petals on each bloom. This specific orchid has a genus of about 44 species that are all native to the Asian continent.

The Cymbidium has three types of bulbs: The Old Back Bulbs with no leaves, which can save their food for emergency times; the Old Bulbs with leaves that can support growth and produce flowers and lastly the New Bulbs or Leads, which have sites where flowers can grow.

The Cymbidium flowering orchid is very beautiful. These orchids come in a wide range of beautiful colors, which make them perfect for decorating any room in your house. While this orchid is flowering, the bud will open and the spikes will bloom for two to three months.

The plant should be taken inside whenever the atmosphere becomes hot and dry because of artificial heating. The warm dry atmosphere causes the plant to drops its leaves. The flower spikes don’t have to stay on the plant until the flowers die. This can cause the plant to become non-flowering in the next seasons.

After about four weeks, the flower will become fully open and at this time, you should cut off the spikes so there is no interference with the next growing cycle. If the plant doesn’t flower then you need to force the plant to flower by placing it in a sunnier condition.

During the growing season, you should always water the orchid and pour off any water that isn’t absorbed. In the summer months, you should feed the orchid with fertilizer at least once a month.

Repotting orchids is very important process. Every two to four years you should repot your orchid and is best done when the plant bulbs fill the pot. A healthy orchid needs to have a minimum of one to two new bulbs each year from the previous year’s bulb. Once you repot the orchid make sure you tease the roots apart so you can get rid of the old potting mix and trim dead roots as well.

If it is needed, you make have to divide the orchid into two or more plants. If you have to do this, you should twist and tear the bulbs apart. If you want to have a beautiful flowering orchid then your Cymbidium should be as large as possible. For about two years, you can expect the orchid flowering to be retarded.

Now it is time to consider the answer to the question raised in the first paragraph. You should trip the spike at the point that it emerges from the flower. As explained earlier in the article, the Cymbidium requires light and can grow outside.

You should start by growing the plant in a semi-shade location and then move it into full sunshine. Every other week you can feed the orchid one teaspoon per gallon of plant food.

During the fall, the plant takes up to forty degrees and needs cooler temperature in order to produce new buds for the following flowering season. Often orchid flowering occurs once a year so you don’t have to worry.

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admin February 26th, 2010

Orchids are beautiful flowers desired by many flower lovers. But taking care and repotting orchids needs some knowledge.

These slow growing plants are best grown indoors and will need to be repotted every other year. In addition to repotting, you will need to provide the plant with enough light, water and fertilization as well as prune it properly to keep it in the best of health.

Repotting

Cymbidium orchids should be repotted in a pot that is larger then the current, but not too much larger – go just one size up. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can repot into a really huge pot and then not have to worry about it for the next 5 years! Fill the pot about 2/3rds of the way with soil that is formulated for orchids and set the plant with the growing tip in the center and it’s roots spread out in the soil. Fill the pot with the rest of the soil and pack it gently around the plant. Water thoroughly.

Soil

Tropical orchids thrive in organic material. Fir bark and osumda fiber mixed with peat are great for growing orchids. You need soil that has good drainage but will also hold some moisture. You can buy special orchid mix soil to plant your orchids in.

Light

Orchids like light and your plant will do best in a bright sunny window. A south window, where the plant can get indirect light in the morning and afternoon is best. Make sure the window is not drafty. In the winter you must be sure that your plant is getting enough sunlight and you may want to use fluorescent lighting to supplement the natural sunlight. Fluorescent lights work quite well for growing orchids and you can use them in even the darkest corner and have wonderful plants.

Water

All plants need water but many people do not know how to provide it properly. Some water too much leaving standing water in the pot all day and contributing to root rot. Others don’t water the plant for weeks and wonder why it can not survive. The first consideration is to make sure you use a pot with good drainage – either one of those with a hole in the bottom and a saucer or at least put pebbles under the soil. Water the plant thoroughly but not so much that a pool of water is sitting on the soil – water once a week or when you feel the soil has dried out. If your orchid is planted in bark, then it will probably need to be watered every 5 days or so.

You can also moisten your orchid with a spray bottle to give it a more humid environment. Some people like to gently wrap the plant in a floral paper or wax paper cone and spray inside. The cone helps to keep the moistness in. If you do spray your plant, use distilled water as tap and spring water can leave deposits on the leaves.

Temperature

Although orchids are tropical plants, they prefer cool temperatures at night. Most orchids will do best in temps that would be to cold for you in your house. When grown in professional greenhouses, they are kept between 55 and 65 degrees at night. The cool temperatures help to keep the soil more moist.

Fertilizer

Orchids growing in bark or peat and bark mixes do best with a liquid fertilizer that has a 20-20-20 analysis or, better yet, a specialized orchid fertilizer (30-10-10). Try using a water soluble urea free fertilizer for best results. When fertilizing, simply add it in your regular watering schedule following the instructions on the fertilizer package.

Pruning

Pruning is important for orchids to remove dead parts and shape your plant. You can prune your orchids periodically throughout the year, or reserve the pruning for once a year typically in the fall or early winter. When the blooms have died and the stalk is dried up and yellow or brown, use sharp shears to cut it back to an inch from where it comes out of the soil. A new bloom will appear during the next blooming season.

In some cases, you may want to just remove the end of the bloom stalk which may cause it to bloom again. If you do this, you may find a new shoot or baby plant to spring up. If this does happen, you can remove the baby and plant it in a separate pot for an additional orchid plant to enjoy!

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admin February 25th, 2010

Cymbidium orchids are the one with the biggest leaves. That is why they grow best outside where they can get as much space and light as possible.

These flowers can look good for more than two months after being cut. If you’re looking to grow one of these orchids, there are a few things you need to know beforehand. This article will teach you how to care for cymbidium orchids.

Light

These orchids usually grow best when kept outdoors for most of the year. You should give them as much light as possible. However, never expose them to intense direct sunlight as that can burn the leaves. When given the right amount of light, the plant’s leaves will be light green and firm.

Orchid Blooming Tips

Cymbidium orchids like to consume a lot of water and stay moist. Therefore, you should water them frequently. Make sure you drench the pot thoroughly. This is especially important during active growth from March until October. During the cooler months, you can keep the pot a little less wet.

Temperature

In the wild, these orchids are found in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. You should provide a temperature around 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. The temperature should be much cooler at night. Try to keep it between 50 and 65. These plants are quite hardy, so they can survive exposure to temperature extremes for a short period of time.

Fertilizer

Cymbidiums should be given liquid fertilizer twice a month from January to July. During the darker and cooler winter months, you should feed them less and keep them slightly drier. From August to December, you should only fertilize the plant once a month.

Repotting

Cymbidium orchids bloom best when kept in their pot. Therefore, you shouldn’t disturb the plant too much. You should only repot when the pseudo-bulbs are up against the edge of the pot. You should wait to repot after the plant has bloomed. After repotting orchids, you should water it lightly.

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admin February 23rd, 2010

If you want your orchid to live full blooming life then knowing the right ways of repotting orchids is crucial.

Actually, there are a few kinds of flowers that have been developed from tissue culture methods, but in just small quantities. Phalaenopsis orchids were considered the brand new variety which have grown in the country. There is slighly low air movement in my old greenhouse, that’s why I decided to move to the new one. I think air movement in my new greenhouse is OK and all my plants are seperated by individual wood-pots as they gradually grow bigger and bigger since transfering from the flask.

You know all the root of infected plants are healthy and it seems the root is not affected, just the leaf. The leaf starts to core in round shape with seem like water inside. One thing I really suspect is rain-water, cause we’re now in raining season while the new greenhouse is not covered by plastic that allows rain-water to go down directly and deeply into it.

Yes, growing them in an environment in which they get rained upon frequently can be a major contributor to the problems you are experiencing. If putting a roof on your growing area is not possible at this time, you might try tilting the orchids to one side about 30 degrees, this will allow rain water to flow off the leaves. This, along with better air movement, may help minimize or reduce the problem.

I received a Phalaenopsis orchid as a gift, at the time it was in full bloom and remained so for months. Once it finished blooming, I cut the spike, after referring to many sites for advice. Unfortunately, I think I misunderstood, as I cut the spike so that it was a total length of 2 inches. Since then the spike has died and remains a dried out stick. I water and fertilize it as recommended but I am concerned that it will never flower again, as I killed the spike.

You did nothing wrong by cutting off the spike, that is what I usually suggest people do after all the flowers are gone. Actually, cutting off the spike helps the phalaenopsis recover quicker from the blooming process and begin getting ready for the next blooming. The little stump left died back naturally and causes no harm to the phalaenopsis plant itself, but if it bothers you to see the dried out stick you can cut it shorter.

How to get it to bloom again? Grow it where there is bright but indirect sunlight, temperatures between 60 to 85 F, humidity above 50%, light air movement, water and feed when the potting media becomes barely moist. In early to mid fall, expose it to night temperatures of about 55 F with day temps. above 65, this may coax it to initiate the bloom cycle.

Also, at the same time, do not feed it fertilizer but mix one teaspoon of epsom salt in a quart of lukewarm water and water it. Feed it the epsom salt mix for three watering cycles then go back to your usual feeding.

It has been over a year since you received it and there is no telling how long it had been in the current potting mix before that, so I would suggest repotting it into fresh orchid mix. Phalaenopsis are one of the orchids that love to be repotted annually and the best time to repot them is early spring. If all goes well, you should see a spike emerge in early winter. As it grows longer and longer, you can place a support stake close to the spike and loosely tie the spike to it about every 6 inches or so.

Do any handling of the spike only while temperatures are above 65F as the spike is not very flexible below that. Until all of the buds open, make sure you keep the spike facing the light in the same way, do not rotate the pot around or the flowers will open facing all different directions.

When I bought my lovely phalenopsis orchids they were in plastic pots inside clay, and potted with what looks like sphagnum moss. I was told to submerge each plant in a light fertilized solution for no more than 5 minutes each week. They are all doing well, one has been blooming since November and right now has 10 flowers and four more buds, all have new leaves, one has a not very promising, but still-green stem, one’s stem browned off and I removed it, and one has a keiki!

Repotting orchids properly. I would recommend waiting to repot the phalaenopsis until after the blooms all fall off. Until then, keep a watchful eye on the sphagnum moss and the leaves. Moss breaks down fairly quickly and when it does it compacts around the roots, keeping the roots wet too long which can lead to the roots rotting. If the leaves begin to wilt and/or shrivel, that would indicate you need to repot as soon as possible because the roots are rotting.

Remove the flower stem, place it in a bud vase then repot. Personally, I will repot any orchid in moss as soon as I get it home but doing this is not easy and may result in damage to the flowers. Normally it takes me less than 5 minutes to repot a Phalaenopsis but upwards of 10 to 15 minutes for one in bloom.

Most new stems will be all green or reddish green while roots will be grey or whitish-grey with a green tip. If it was a new root under the clip and you damaged the green growth tip, that could be why it is not growing longer. Leave it alone for now, it may sprout new roots growing off the side of it.

Phalaenopsis are best grown indoors but if the temperatures are above 55F you can place them in your screened porch in bright but indirect sunlight. Keep in mind that the potting media may dry out sooner there.

As for the keiki, leave it on the stem until it has two or more roots over 2 inches long, remove it and put it in its own little pot. Try to use the smallest size pot that will just barely contain the roots. It is better to have to repot into the next size larger pot next year than to take the chance of too large a pot and ending up with rotten roots.

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