Archive for the tag 'water'

How To Care For Your Orchids

admin March 11th, 2010

Orchids are one of the most desirable plants to grow. But they are also demanding to take care of. Repotting orchids needs to be done properly in order for your orchids to bloom fully.

How To Care For Your Orchids

Hence, every individual requests to take thinking of orchids right. The orchids are of great use, as they can be forwarded as a thanksgiving complement of worship, or can be nurtured and promoted in ones indoors greenhouse. These magnificent blooms are adept enough to flay away the flatness of the rooms with their dual skin of attractiveness and perfume. However, for trouble their aspects in the paramount regular, an individual is vital to get typical with the niceties of how to take thought of orchids in a pracised conduct. With the availability of masses of kind in the species of orchids, it is advised to ensure the thorough caring requirements. Proper caring of orchids weight a strong amount of time, specifically at the time of autumn, when the fostering language of the orchids is on the row. The month of budding is the most crucial spot in the maintenance of orchids due to the inactiveness of the plants, due to the roasting summery months.

The tension of orchids wants to be done rather properly in these months, by repotting the elder roots in other two or three pots with the implantation of new orchid, diverse with gritty soil, organic stand chows, etc. The new fixed grower wishes to be sited in the yard of the backyard in a secluded locality to avoid the warmth of the sun. The caring of orchids is a fully testing brief with so many genuses of orchids in reality, each demanding given enter of anxiety. Hence, the rear tenure is that the care of orchids hugely depends winning the variety of orchids an individual is caring for. The kind of soil wanted, whether they choose acidic soil or are obtained from certain acid is pretty crucial, in word of caring of orchids. Farther, the emptying of soil from the pot is tremendously significant part in the caring of orchids. It is observed at certain epoch that, the caring of orchids wants a hot climate and externally from the steamy areas, the caring means of such orchids may want a greenhouse, in which both the wetness as well as the temperature can be restricted.

Farther, the climatic variation 1000 s hugely manipulate the caring route of orchids. The time epoch necessary to partition the roots along with the procedure of fertilization may adapt with the beginning of that orchid, and is ultimately sure to shape the caring procedure of orchids. Therefore, it is totally plain that from all the above mentioned facts that, the care of orchids depends on numerous artless as well as artificial factors.

Other such posts:

Growing Orchids
In the spring and summer months when the orchids start blooming, water the orchids at least twice every week. During the winter, watering the plants once a week is usually sufficient. Water the orchids early in the morning.

How To Care For Your Orchids
How to care for your orchids
? This is not recommended with orchids (with a couple exceptions of some Phragmipedium species that live on river side rocks) as it may lead to root rot. The easiest thing to do is water the orchid by running plenty of water through.

Ground Orchids Spathoglottis Hybrids
Spathoglottis orchids prefer well drained loamy soil. Water them regularly but do not overwater. Here they grow well in light shade to full sun exposure. I think their biggest enemy is the white mealy bugs that forms in clusters behind.

Advice For Growing Orchids Indoors
With over 22000 officially recognized orchids to choose from it is imperative to choose a species that grows well inside. Learn as much as possible about the flowering plant, choose one that is bred to be grown indoors, … About a half inch of water in the gravel will evaporate and keep the plant healthy. 5. Good air circulation will replicate the growing conditions the plant would have growing outdoors. A fan can be used but simply opening a window during summer months.

Dendrobium Orchid Care
These are one of the most popular of retail orchid plants. They are a true epiphyte or air plant. There pseudopods can gather and hold water very efficiently. Generally there will be a hybrid phalaenopsis and dendrobium, commonly known.

Light and Water to Care for Orchids
Orchids need a balance of light, air, water and food to grow and flower well. These additional tips can help.

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Different Orchids

admin March 10th, 2010

Orchids are fascinating flora that was fun to support but do necessary some elite control. These thick rising plants are best developed within, and will neediness to be repotted every other year. Besides repotting, you will necessary to give the works with enough light, water and fertilization as well as condense it suitably to keep it in the best of wellbeing.

Orchids should be repotted in a pot that is better then the existing, but not too much bigger – go just one mass up. Don’t make the slip of thoughts you can repot into an actually enormous pot and then not have to disquiet about it for the next 5 living! Fill the pot about 2/3rds of the way with soil that is formulated for orchids and set the workshop with the budding tip in the interior and it’s roots unfold out in the soil. Fill the pot with the lean of the soil and crowd it gently around the bury. Water thoroughly.

Tropical orchids boom in organic important. Fir barked and osumda makeup assorted with peat are great for rising orchids. You neediness soil that has good drainage but will also grasp some damp. You can buy singular orchid mix soil to conceal your orchids in.

Orchids like light and your workshop will do best in a vivid sunny screen. A south pane, where the place can get indirect light in the morning and morning is best. Make certain the graphic is not drafty. In the coldness you must be positive that your bury is receiving enough sunlight and you may want to use fluorescent lighting to supplement the relaxed sunlight. Fluorescent lights work extremely well for growing orchids and you can use them in even the darkest turn and have wonderful plants.

All plants necessary water but many people do not know how to grant it correctly. Some water too much departure ranking water in the pot all day and contributing to rummage rot. Others don’t water the hide for weeks and surprise why it cannot endure. The first consideration is to make effective you use a pot with good drainage – both one of those with a fleapit in the floor and a plate or at slightest put pebbles under the soil. Water the works thoroughly but not so much that a merge of water is meeting on the so 1000 il – water once a week or, when you feel the soil has dried out. If your orchid is planted in bark, then it will possibly penury to be watered every 5 existence or so.

You can also dampen your orchid with a spray bottle to give it a more clammy environment. Some people like gently to wrap the plant in a flowery paper or wax paper shaft and spray inside. The conduit helps to keep the moistness in. If you do spray your plant, use distilled water as tap and helix water can bequeath deposits on the plants.

Although orchids are sultry 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.

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 with a water soluble urea limitless fertilizer for best outcome. When fertilizing, easily add it in your repeated watering schedule next the instructions on the fertilizer wrap.

Pruning is important for orchids to amputate dull parts and identity your plant. You can trim your orchids periodically throughout the year, or store the pruning for once a year typically in the reduce or early chill. When the blooms have died and the hunt is dried up and yellow or auburn, use precise cutters to cut it back to an edge from where it comes out of the soil. A new blossom will happen during the next promising season.

In some gear, you may want to just eliminate the end of the flourish trail which may root it to tint again. If you do this, you may find a new dash or baby plant to spring up. If this does happen, you can remove the baby and plant it in a dispersed pot for an additional orchid plant to enjoy!

Want to find out about repotting orchids and orchid fertilizer? Get tips from the Care Of Orchids website.

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watering my phal with softened water
I have decided to start over with phals.. I have killed god knows have many from overwatering and potting media and underwatering and mounting.

Care of Cattleya
This month we are going to go into some detail about the care of cattleya orchids. These orchids are probably the easiest to care for and like all plants need water, light and fertilizer. Playing some nice music or talking to them.

Orchid Board
Hi everyone, I’m new to both orchids and this forum, so if i’m asking this in the wrong place please let me know! I purchased some small cymbidium. … Brown tips can also be caused by mineral salts accumulating in the media – from fertilizer and or hard water. A regular, thorough flushing of the potting media can help tho any brown tips won’t ‘green up’ but it will help prevent this occurring. A watched orchid never spikes.

Orchid Board
Both are planted in orchid bark with a little sphagnum moss mixed in but they are primarily in bark. The one in the first pic has some roots as you can see, the one in the second pic…not so much. I usually water all my orchids.

Orchid Care Tips
You can also put containers of water, a humidifier or a water fountain near the plant. You might wish to cultivate your orchids in a hothouse because these enclosures usually have higher humidity levels with more suitable.

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Orchid Care

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.

Orchid Care
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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Quick Tips For Repotting Orchids

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.

Quick Tips For Repotting Orchids

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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Cymbidiums Orchid Plants

admin March 7th, 2010


Cymbidium orchid plants were first mentioned in China during the Chin dynasty. Yes, way back in 265 AD.

Cymbidiums Orchid Plants

Orchids are one of the most beautiful flowers. They come in many different types and colors. Unfortunately taking care and repotting orchids is a delicate task. 

And now they are grown for the florist industry because of their large flowers, about 5+ inches. The flowers on the cymbidium orchid last for five to seven weeks. Cymbidiums are used for corsage orchids.

There are other cymbidiums which do not have as large flowers, but have an intermediate size flower. One of these is the cymbidium ‘Royale’.

These plants grow well outdoors and can take cool temps and even a short freeze, to about 28 degrees F. But once this occurs bring the orchid indoors.

Orchids will bloom from February to May. During the summer months they will do better with cooler soil at night. If this is a problem in your region my suggestion is to add ice water to the soil after sunset during the month of August.

Water them well especially during their growth period, March through September. After this you can water the cymbidium orchid plants less but not allowing them to dry out.

Also, don’t rush to repot. Let the orchids get pot-bound and the psueodpods can get pushed out to the edges of the pot. Only then repot. They do better when in close quarters.

These plants do need good lighting for good growth. So, don’t park them under a tree.

Also, year round fertilizer is necessary. You can use a liquid fertilizer which is balanced or even a timed-release version. During the cymbidium orchid plants growth phase you will need to give them a supplement fertilizer as well.

Cymbidium orchid plants can produce some of the largest flowers and ones which will last 5- 7 weeks amid the wash of great colors.

Have fun with these plants, they’ll re-pay you time and time again.

Other such posts:

Should I repot these orchids
Hello, I need help! I have two phal orchids that were together in one pot. They were doing fine for several months, until I noticed that there were.

Cymbidiums Orchid Plants
Cymbidiums orchid plants
. So, I am hoping it is not too late to save this orchid. Should I let it dry out completely? Can I leave the roots the way they are or should I repot? I am afraid to repot in case it causes too much stress, and in case the damage is done.

yellow roots Orchid
hi,i just re-pot my orchid "Tiger" for the first time got her from home depot 2weeks now anyhow some of her roots are yellow but firm other green and healthy i trim some off & use ground cinnimon on the roots oh its a 2 in one plant.

About the Lovely Orchid Flower
You might think they need transplanting sooner, but orchids typically do their best when the roots are tight, not loose. Let an orchid go for a few months after you think it needs repotted, and then repot it.

New orchid
You don’t usually want to repot an orchid that is in bloom. After they loose their blooms you can repot them. I use a medium grade or course orchid bark. Get rid of the sphagnum moss when repoting then water well.

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Orchids Will Bloom

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.

Orchids Will Bloom

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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How To Repot An Orchid

admin March 5th, 2010

Every orchid lower knows that when it comes time to repotting orchids, you need to take extra special care.

How To Repot An Orchid

How to repot your orchid is a question you definitely need to ask at least once. The most important thing to remember is that orchid need a new pot every 18 – 24 months. There is no way around this, if you love your orchids (and I"m sure you do) repotting is an essential part of their growth. Never wait more than 2 years to repot your orchid, that is too long.

You will be interested in what type of pot you need to use. The simple answer is, it doesn’t really matter because orchids can grow well in plastic clay or ever decorator pots. What is important to remember though is that the type of pot will effect the amount of times you need to water your plant. Some pots dry out quicker than others. There are no hard and fast rules to this, you will need to water a few times and learn to get a feel for how long water lasts in your pot (for tips on watering click the link at the end of this article).

Just like keeping pets who need food, young orchids need fertilizer and fresh food in their pots. This is perhaps the most important reason to continue to repot your orchid. The new media in the pot provides new nutrients for the plant to use. This single step is perhaps the most important in keeping your orchids blooming.

Some people will change their orchids pots randomly, simply because they don’t like the look of the old one. I do not advise this and it is a good way to severely harm your orchid plant. You should only repot your orchid when it needs it. Think of the flower as a sleeping baby, they are so beautiful when they lay asleep, but if they stir they could start to cry and this isn’t good news for anyone, especially the baby (or in our case the orchid).

When I’m sleeping I like to be nestled in tight, but not too tight. Orchids are no different, they like to be nestled into their pot so that their roots are nice and close. However its important they aren’t squashed. The good old common sense approach is the best here, if you can fit the orchid inside the pot without too much squashing, you are on the right track.

Orchids like to be very snug. A small plant in a big pot means that all the orchids effort is taken up in trying to build a larger root system and it will not flower properly. Make the pot snug, but not too snug.

Other such posts:

Phalaenopsis Orchid Care
Here’s a link to the website they recommend for caring for your orchids. I have never heard of watering a plant by just adding ice cubes. It’s a very interesting website with tips to trigger re-blooming, how to repot your orchids.

How To Repot An Orchid
How to repot an orchid
? Chris, I’m surprised others have not already put in the usual, and mostly correct, but as with any work being done on orchids, such as repot/soak/trim/add/etc.., any of which depends on the plants itself. I prefer to let the `chid tell.

When should I repot my orchid
One of the best times to repot virtually any orchid is soon after it has finished blooming and dropped its last flower. Your plant has spent most of its energy creating those flowers and now it will refocus its energy on growing new.

Help needed with LARGE phalaenopsis repotting
I have a large Phalaeonopsis. The leaves themselves are about 8 inches tall and all through-out the leaves roots are growing. Is this a sign that.

How to repot a Paph orchid
People often ask me about repotting orchids. It’s really very simple. What follows is a little narrative of the process. Our volunteer for the day is Paph. Wossner Goldegg, who I’ve shown photos of in previous posts.

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Young Orchids

admin March 4th, 2010

Orchid is a beautiful flower but it requires a special attention. Caring for your orchids needs some time and knowledge.

Young Orchids

When getting a young orchid plant for the first time, try and find out as much about it as possible. Knowing what species it is is very important, as is the sort of environment it is found in the wild. From here you’ll have a better idea what watering, temperature, light and humidity requirements it needs.

Make a list of supplies you may need for your young orchid plant. This should include the correct repotting orchids mix and a specialized orchid fertilizer. Keep a plant pesticide and fungicide handy in case your plant suddenly gets attacked by something. Orchids generally need repotting once a year so there is no hurry to get another pot just yet. A water sprayer is handy as it is easier to control the quantity of water you give your plant.

It is essential that you get the potting mix right. Most orchids do not grow in the standard garden soil or garden plant potting mixes. There are species of orchid that prefer a bark potting mix and others that prefer a sand mix. Always leave the young orchid plant in the potting mix that you received it in. Don’t repot the plant until it has grown to a size where it has overgrown the existing pot. When you do repot, select a pot size slightly bigger as orchids do not like being transferred to containers that are much larger then the one they are in.

Often young orchid plants are kept in potting media that appears quite dry. This is done on purpose to prevent fungal infections. Orchid roots rot very easily if they are over watered. It is much better to gradually water the plant over time, rather than do a sudden soak if the potting medium is very dry.

Because young orchid plants are not yet flowering, they require different light intensities to those needed by mature orchids. If the lighting is too low, the leaves will start to turn a dark green color. Gradually increase the light by changing the plant’s position and when the leaves appear a healthy light green color then that should be fine.

Other such posts:

Orchids and Firelight
Orchids and Firelight. A Valentine Table For Two: My Valentine and I are having a special dinner. I am not one for going out on a holidays- I think the food is not as good and the tempo rushed. So we are eating in front of the fire.

Young Orchids
In the past year, I’ve had the chance to photograph some spectacular cattleya young orchids. I was looking back through some of my unedited photos and found several photos of various cattleya orchids that I hadn’t shared yet.

Bowl of orchids
Bowl of orchids’ flickr image by Igman Posted: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:00:13 -0800. Image size: 240×160. Category: orchid, thailand, bangkok, tailandia. Description: Discuss Add this link to… Bury Add to: submit ”Bowl of orchids.

Orchids in Caribbean area
I’ll be in Nicaragua next week, specifically a couple days in Bluefields with the remainder of the time on Big Corn Island, a day trip.

Orchids
I fell in love with this while grocery shopping and decided to bring it home despite not having green fingers. My husband said that orchids are the most difficult plants to look after and he should know, he is the plant keeper.

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Caring For Your Orchids

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.

Caring For Your Orchids 

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.

Other such potst:

Rasberry Cattleya Orchids
Handsculpted DaisyClay (clay from thaiflowerart.com) Flowers, Painted and Shaded with Oils.

Caring For Your Orchids
Caring for your orchids
. Hi all, I am curious about what happened to Stewart’s Orchids. Heard that they went bankrupt. This may well be old news, sad to see such a large and.

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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Care Of Orchids

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.

Other such posts:

Orchids
Ingleborough across the Ribble Valley. The summit 1831 ft. Looking S.E. across Pendleside to Bouldsworth hill on the horizon. The village of Barley lies under the mist in the middle distance. Posted by Orchids and Nature.

Orchids
1 of my Orchids blooming.. actually this Orchid has been blooming I think 3 times since I bought it. Not like my other types.. Still have not shown anything yet.. even tho’ I did put fertilizer. Next time I just bought this type.

Care Of Orchids
Care of orchids
. I am always fascinated by orchids. When in Kuching a perfect place to start admiring orchids is the flower market at Satok that runs from Saturday till Sunday. At the flower market one can be easily overwhelmed by the many varieties.

Winter Orchid
Here are some pictures of the winter orchid display at Longwood Gardens in Delaware. I spent Valentine’s Day there with my partner. He enrolled me in an orchid photography.

If you love orchids
Did you know vanilla is an orchid? Apparently, the only orchid used for for food. And that there is only one single insect that pollinates it? In Mexico the beans are so valuable in places the beans are actually branded when green.

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