Growing Orchids - greenthumbsgardensupply
Growing Orchids
Orchids require minimal care, and produce beautiful exotic flowers? Orchids have been characterizedas finicky plants that need greenhouses or other specialized care, but many orchids grow very successfully along side other house plants. Growing orchids require the same temperature range as houseplants, Day time about seventy and night time temperature of around sixty degrees, this will keep growing orchids happy.
When growing orchids remove them from being near windows on extremely cold nights so they don't become damaged. A bright window with indirect sunlight all day is ideal. Twelve to thirty six away from a south window is best for growing orchids. Many orchid hobbyists move their plants to shade locations outdoors during summer. When growing orchids, they will also bloom well under artificial fluorescent lighting, lights should be on twelve hours per day. However, flowering will be improved in plants receiving natural and artificial light versus artificial light alone. Proper watering is critical to successful growing orchids, over watering will quickly kill most orchids. The thick fleshy roots of orchids require the good drainage provided by special soil less potting mixtures containing either fir bark or osmunda fern fibers. In general, water once a week growing, orchids in clay pots need more frequent watering. The potting mix should dry slightly between watering. Add enough water each time to run out of the bottom drainage holes in the pot.
Growing orchids respond well to regular fertilization but are damaged or killed by to much fertilizer. Once a month, with a water soluble fertilizer should be applied as part of normal watering. After blooming stops, watering and fertilizing should be reduced until new leaves appears. Most homes, especially in winter, are to dry for growing orchids. The easiest way to increase humidity around the plants is to set the pots on pebbles with water in a tray or saucer. The evaporating water makes the air around the plants more humid. The pot should not sit in the water, but be raised above the water level by stones under the pots. Growing orchids may also be misted with distilled water to raise humidity levels. Growing orchids successfully can be done by matching the type of orchid to the conditions in the home. Beginners should buy flowering or mature sized plants because orchids take five to seven years to reach bloom size. |
