The Wonders of Orchids
Orchids are some of most admired and most mysterious plants in the world. There are over 15,000 wild
species scattered from tropical highlands to the northern tundra. Orchids are defined as epiphytic,
terrestrial, or semi-terrestrial. Epiphytic types don't live on the ground. Their roots serve mainly to
hold them onto trees, logs, and rocks. They extract nutrition from the air and directly from the dead
organic matter of the tree or rock to which they're attached. Terrestrial varieties grow in normal soil,
and semi-terrestrials prefer a porous medium.
Most orchids require very exacting conditions, and the novice is advised to study any information
available regarding the particular species and region of cultivation. Well-drained, well-aerated soil is
necessary for all terrestrial and semi-terrestrial types. Epiphytic species normally do best in shredded
bark, peat, or perlite. Osmunda fiber, a type of fern rhizome, aerates the epiphytic type as well as
provides it with decaying organic nutrition. Of the thousands of orchids prized by greenhouse gardeners;
Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Stanhopea, Laelia, and Vanda are the most popular. Hardy
native terrestrials such as Cypripedium, Habenaria, and Orchis spectabilis can be bought at regional
nurseries.
Here are some care tips for you on specific popular species of the genus, click the images to open and close the care tips:
Cymbidium
CYMBIDIUM
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South/East/West
Soil Type: Use a medium shredded fir bark or small to medium lava rock. Another recipe would be 1 part organic soil, 1 part sphagnum moss, 2 parts osmunda (fern root) with a little bone meal and rinsed aquarium charcoal chips. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the potting mix evenly moist at all times. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically designed for orchids.
Plant Pests: Prone to none Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Gardening Tips & Care: Direct sunlight and cold drafts should be avoided. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water. Keep cool for about 6 weeks in the fall to encourage blooming.
Air Purifier: A good remover of trichloroethylene from the surrounding atmosphere.
Dendrobium
DENDROBIUM
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: High humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South/West
Soil Type: Use a medium shredded fir bark or small to medium lava rock. An alternative is 2 parts of osmunda fiber, 1 part of sphagnum moss and a little sand. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the potting mix and let it become moderately dry between waterings. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks with a water soluble orchid fertilizer diluted by half.
Plant Pests: Prone to scale, spider mites and mealy bugs. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Gardening Tips & Care: Direct sunlight and cold drafts should be avoided. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Air Purifier: Some species remove alcohols, toulene, chloroform and formaldehyde from the surrounding atmosphere.
Epidendrum
EPIDENDRUM
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: High humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the North/East/West
Soil Type: Use a medium shredded fir bark or small to medium lava rock. An alternative is 2 parts of osmunda fiber, 1 part of sphagnum moss and a little sand. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the potting mix and let it become moderately dry between waterings. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks when in growth with a fertilizer specifically designed for orchids.
Plant Pests: Prone to scale, spider mites and mealy bugs. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division at anytime. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix.
Gardening Tips & Care: Direct sunlight and cold drafts should be avoided, though good ventilation is a necessity. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Cattleya
CATTLEYA
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: High humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South/East
Soil Type: Use a medium shredded fir bark or small to medium lava rock. Another recipe would be 1 part of sphagnum moss to 2 parts of osmunda (fern root). Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the potting mix and let it become moderately dry between waterings. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Use a fertilizer specifically designed for orchids every two to three weeks.
Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix.
Gardening Tips & Care: Direct sunlight and cold drafts should be avoided. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water. Mist occasionally with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining).
