Though many people perceive orchids as delicate and difficult, orchids can be easy to grow if you take some time to learn what they need.
Orchids are not like traditional potted plants, they are epiphytes which means that they do not grow in dirt but rather by hanging on to the bark of trees. Currently there are known to be an estimated 25,000 species of orchids, and each one is a little different in the terms of care. For example, Phalaenopsis, otherwise known as moth orchids is a beginner’s best friend because they will grow in low light and do not require extreme humidity, plus they are one of the easiest to re-bloom.
Orchids are a cosmopolitan family found all the way from within the Arctic Circle to Tierra del Fuego and the islands south of Australia. They are absent only from open water and from true deserts. Some orchids live on the ground while others grow perched on trees or rocks.
Most flowering plants offer nectar to attract pollinators and reward them for their visit. Orchids on the other hand usually trick their pollinators into pollinating them and stick the pollinarium ( orchid specific pollen) onto the animal without rewarding it for the visit. Some orchids evolved to look very similar to other flowers nearby so the pollinators can’t tell which flower they are pollinating. Others even look like female insects or even smell like them to trick the male insects into copulation and sticking the pollinarium onto the insects before the insect even realize that they got tricked.
Orchid care is not difficult and with the proper care, an orchid can be in bloom for months each year and can live indefinitely. The general requirements for proper orchid care are: Download our tips sheet here.
- Most orchids require water once a week. Avoid over watering as this can lead to root rot.
- Position your orchid in a bright window, but not direct late-afternoon sunlight, facing east or west.
- Feed weekly with a fertilizer designed for orchids such as Bush Doctor® Flowers Kiss®- FoxFarm Soil & Fertilizer spray on foliar plant food or Jack’s Orchid Fertilizer.
- Repotting in fresh orchid mix when your orchid stops blooming.
- High Humidity with temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees
- High air flow around the roots
- Remember, every orchid type is slightly different. While these are general guidelines for orchids overall, you will want to research your specific orchid.
The right nutrients and soil structure are essential for plant health, and fertilizers and soil mixes help ensure this. MVG offers a wide variety to enhance soil conditions and stimulate plant growth.
Some orchid owners avoid over-watering by putting an ice cube in the pot at the base of the plant. Here at MVG we do NOT endorse this method because frigid water can shock your orchids roots. Your orchid will not die overnight if you use ice cubes, in fact it may even look fine for a while. However, overtime the vast majority of them will decline and die.
Avoid overwatering which leads to the demise of many more orchids than under-watering. To determine if your orchid needs water, “use the pencil trick (the point of a sharpened pencil, when inserted into the medium, will darken with moisture if the plant has enough water) or put your finger in the mix. If it feels wet, it is wet. If you aren’t sure whether it is time to water, wait one more day,
More questions on our products, acclimating young plants or getting your garden off on the right foot this season? Stop in or give us a call at 937-845-0093.
MVG – Helping Our Customers Grow Fine Plants Since 1984
