Orchids are among the most exotic and beautiful flowers in the world. No flowering plant has captured the attention of humans, or stirred their passions, in quite the way orchids have. In the past, 20,000 or so wild varieties have been hunted and collected in almost every part of the world.
These amazing Orchids range from the Arctic Circle to the southern tip of South America. They grow at sea level to the tops of mountains. Some live in trees, others on rocks or in the ground. Canadian orchids often live in bogs, swamps, forests, and meadows.
Orchids are not particularly hard to grow, but they do have some special requirements. Once you find the right balance of temperature, water, humidity, air flow and fertilizer, you can expect healthy plants and blooms year after year. Click on the image for information on these lovely plants. |
| Cymbidium Orchids |
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Cymbidiums are native to the foothills of the Himalayas and are accustomed to cool conditions. Their tall spikes have from 10-25 flowers ranging from 2 1/2" to 6" which last from one to three months. Many are fragrant and their long leaves make them attractive as indoor plants.
Cymbidium Orchids love to be outdoors from May to early to mid-October. Place them in area that gets bright, defused light. They prefer night temperatures to fall below 58 degrees. The cool temperatures will initiate flower spikes. They will tolerate temperatures as low as 35 degrees. When the plants are brought indoors in the fall, place them in a bright (south or east window preferably) cool section of your home. Humidity may be provided with a sprayer or by placing gravel in the pot saucer. Do not let the plant stand in water. May cause root rot. |
Use a high quality orchid food every other time you water during the growing season and every third or fourth time during the winter. During the growing season, cymbidiums should be watered frequently and heavily; in winter, with less sun, watering can be somewhat reduced. The growing medium should be kept moist at all times. A fine spray over the foliage, in addition to pot watering, is beneficial unless the weather is cloudy. To avoid getting spider mites, spray the foliage lightly with room temperature water. If you have spider mites, use insecticidal soap to control them.
Use a potting medium, capable of holding moisture but draining thoroughly. When plants need to be divided and repotted, do it in the spring after blooming. Repot only when the medium has broken down, for cymbidiums do best when not disturbed.
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Cymbidiums produce an extensive root system. Select a pot which, once the plant has been placed in the center, allows space for at least two years' growth. Remove all dead or dying roots from the plant, carefully taking off the old compost without causing damage to the live roots. Should you wish to divide your plant at this time, each section should have three or four green bulbs in addition to any new leads. Sterilize all cutting and potting instruments before using them on a new plant. Backbulbs, or the old leafless pseudobulbs, should be removed if the procedure will cause no damage to the rest of the plant.
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Dendrobium Orchids |
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Dendrobium is one of the largest families of orchids with somewhere around 1000 species being known. Being such a large family creates much diversity. There are some Dendrobiums that are very large as well as some miniatures, some come from warm sea-level conditions of the equatorial Pacific islands while others originate in the near alpine climate of the Himalayan foothills.
Although the color range is varied most hybrids offered for sale are usually lavender, white, golden-yellow, or combinations of these colors. Some of the more unusual species and hybrids can be bluish, ivory colored, brilliant orange or scarlet, or have exotic markings. Most of the evergreen Dendrobiums are not fragrant however the deciduous species can have fresh citrus scent or smell of raspberries. |
Most Dendrobiums that you will commonly find for sale require intermediate temperatures and bright filtered light during the growing season. Humidity should be between 50 and 75%. The easy-growing evergreen Dendrobiums and the Phalaenopsis type can receive this same culture throughout the year.
These Dendrobiums produce sprays of long lasting round Phalaenopsis like flowers that can last for several weeks. They can often bloom several times a year and the flower sprays make excellent cut flowers for arrangements.
Certain species of Dendrobium (superbum, pierardii, parishii, etc.) are deciduous, that is, they lose their leaves and require cool dry conditions throughout most of the winter. |
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They should be watered only enough to prevent the canes from excessive shriveling and fertilizer should be witheld completely. During spring and summer these orchids should be provided with ample water and a fertilizer designed specifically for orchids. The fertilizer should include essential minor elements – and NO urea nitrogen – making all elements readily available to your orchids.
Dendrobiums are sturdy orchids that can add a focal point to any room without being too difficult to grow. The fall blooming season of many of the Phalaenopsis types fills a void left by other groups of orchids. For best results repot dendrobiums each year using a good orchid mix which is specially formulated with Lava Rock to meet the drainage needs of Dendrobiums. With Dendrobiums, avoid using too large of a pot. They may also be successfully grown in wooden slat baskets using mos®. |
Dendrobiums prefer temperature that range from 70° – 90° F during the days, and 45° – 65° F at nights.
Keep almost moist, but drier in winter. They prefer more shade in the summer months about 25 – 50% shade, but place in a brighter window (eighter eastern or western exposure) in the winter. They like a fair amount of humidity and like fertilizer twice a month during the growning season, but a little less in the winter.
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Oncidium Orchids |
The Oncidium family is very large and includes many flower varieties. The most common flower variety is often referred to as the "dancing lady".
Water when the potting mix is dry, about every 5-7 days. Oncidiums prefer clean water without a lot of mineral content. They grow best with distilled water or rainwater.
Use a high quality orchid food every other time you water during the growing season and every third or fourth time during the winter.
Grow in bright diffused light such as an east or west window. Oncidiums prefer a night temperatures during fall, winter and spring of 60°-64° F. Ideal daytime temperatures are 70°-85°F. Summer temperatures are generally a few degrees warmer. |
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Humidity levels for these plants should be kept at 40% or above.
Repot every 1 to 2 years as the mix breaks down or as the plant outgrows the pot. Plants potted in a bark mixture should be carefully pulled out of the pot. Clean off the roots of the old mix, being careful not to break the good roots. Roots that should be cut off are brown and mushy or papery. Those roots that are white or tan and are firm to the touch should be left alone. Simply place the plant into a new pot, placing the oldest growth towards the back of the pot so there is room for the newer growths to develop for about 1-2 years. Oncidiums can be divided when there are 6 or more pseudobulbs. Divide, leaving 3 growths per each division. Oncidiums prefer to be planted in a good orchid bark mix or sphagnum moss mixed with tree fern fiber. |
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Paphiopedilum Orchids – “Lady Slippers” |
Paphiopedilums, are easy to grow and very rewarding if a few simple principles of culture are followed. First, and most important, the potting medium should not be allowed to become stale. Paphiopedilums like to be put in fresh potting medium at least once a year, and every six months is preferable.
The key to growing paphiopedilums is to keep a good root system, as the plants have no bulbs or stems in which to store moisture or nutrients. Potting in a proper orchid mix is necessary to maintain healthy roots.
Paphiopedilums should be watered twice weekly in the home, and that a small amount of water soluble fertilizer be added to the water once each month according to package instructions or may be mixed weaker than indicated on the package and used every second or third watering. |
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Occasionally flush fertilizer from the pot by drenching with water. Too much fertilizer will damage the plants, so the best practice is to fertilize lightly.
Do not let the pot stand in water. Some people like to place the pots in a tray or saucer of gravel. This helps to insure that the base of the pot is not immersed in water and provides some air circulation under the pot.
Place the plants in or near a sunny window. When grown as houseplants, paphiopedilums need good light to do their best. Paphiopedilums and phalaenopsis do not need as much light as cattleyas, but they do need at least the light required to bloom African Violets. |
They will be comfortable at any temperature that is comfortable for humans (55-80 degrees). Avoid cold or warm drafts - such as near an open window or heat vent.
Misting the plants, may be beneficial in the morning on warm days. Do not get water in the pouches, as that will cause the flowers to deteriorate. Flowers should last in good condition on the plants for two to three months.
When repotting, do not divide the plants into small pieces. The larger clumps will produce more new growths and more flowers. Place plants in the smallest pot that will accommodate the root system. |
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Follow these simple growing instruction and you will produce healthy plants with attractive foliage and long lasting flowers!
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Phalaenopsis – The “Moth Orchid”
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Phalaenopsis are among the most popular and rewarding orchids. They are easy to grow as house plants and put on a spectacular display when in bloom. Take one to a friend! They are the perfect hostess gift that shows you care. Everybody should have a few Phalaenopsis in their home. They have become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to their suitability as house plants.
Recent hybrid trends have increased the color palette and floriferousness making them even more desirable. At present Phalaenopsis, or Phals, as they are commonly called, can be found in white, yellow, green, many shades of pink, and near red. With the release of more art shade Phalss, the palette has expanded to include oranges and autumn colors. |
Phalaenopsis flowers may be large on long sprays (standard) or small on short, branched sprays (multiflora). Flowers may be strongly striped or spotted adding further interest. Some may even be fragrant. Their sprays of long lasting flowers in the spring always command attention. The genus Phalaenopsis originates in tropical Asia
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Phalaenopsis enjoys pretty much the same climate as we do however, they do not like temperatures much below 50 F and they prefer high humidity, at least 50%. Placing pots on a water-filled tray of pebbles and misting them occasionally will help satisfy this requirement. |
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Phalaenopsis do not need as much light as Cattleyas or Oncidiums which may make them more desirable as house plants. Keeping plants a foot or so back from an east or west window should provide ample light. If you air condition your home during the summer your Phals may be happier spending their time outdoors under a shady tree. Make sure that there is no danger of frost before moving any orchids outdoors.
Phals lack the water storage devices of the Cattleya, meaning that they require more water. The potting medium should be kept damp but never soggy. Keeping Phals too wet will only result in root loss. It is important to remember to water Phals early in the day and avoid letting water remain on the top of the leaves or in the crown overnight. Water left standing in the crown overnight can lead to crownrot and the loss of the orchid.
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Fertilize every two weeks or two during growing season and half as much during the winter using a special orchid fertilizer. In the fall before blooming season use a bloom booster fertilizer to assure prolific flower production the following spring. Re-pot at least every 12 to 24 months using an orchid potting mix designed to provide the correct water retention qualities critical to Phalaenopsis orchids.
They prefer a temperature ranging fromn 65° – 90° F during the day, and 55° – 70° F at night. Keep evenly moist, avoid wet foliage. They prefer moderate light, about 70 – 80% shade, no direct sun and average humidity (50 – 75%).
Fertilize twice a month. |
