Tag: growing orchids

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The Different Types of Orchids

types of orchids

 

There are many colorful and fascinating Orchids in the world and they can grow in very different weather conditions. In fact, the climate in San Francisco, where I live, is the ideal combination for growing these exotic flowers; however, they do not necessarily bloom annually here. Below are the types of orchids that will bloom seasonally in warmer parts of the world.

Cymbidiums

Cymbidiums are a type of orchids that can handle cool temperatures and are best when grown inside or around the house. They can bloom for as long as three months when kept indoors but should be moved outdoors if temperatures become hotter and the flowers begin to wilt. When grown in a basket, they will remain attractive and bloom year after year. It is important to keep the roots moist and fertilize them monthly. This type of orchid will also adapt to temporary droughts by developing new growth quickly to form a good, continuous supply of flowers.

Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis orchids adapt to their local Conditions. They have become very popular recently and come in many colors and sizes. They store bloom energy in the roots and branches, so if energy is lost through drying winds or evaporation, the plant will try to replace it. Many can be found growing on trees or rocks in the wild. recently, the popularity of Phalaenopsis orchids has grown so much that many hybrids and cut flowers are available all the time. This type of orchid will bloom for 2 to 3 months when properly cared for. Make sure to plant in a medium of peat and rich, well-drained soil. Their summer popularity includes corsages and floral arrangements. This type of orchid will naturally decline and should be replaced every 3 to 4 years.

Dendrobium

My friend who does Building Information Modeling and loves orchids found this to be his favorite type. This type of orchid is best suited for warm and humid temperatures where it will receive ample sunshine. It is often found on the grounds of large buildings and parkways. This type of orchid is tropical in nature and therefore love warm, humid environments. Many are found in hospitals, grocery stores, and other business establishments. For these reasons, they are also used for wedding decorations. The flower of this orchid is very large and comes in vibrant colors. Make sure to cut off the dead flowers so they do not ruin the look of the orchid. This orchid should be given lots of water and fertilizer to enhance growth.

Laelia

Another type of orchid that is popularly grown is the Laelia orchid. This orchid’s colors are primarily white and purple and comes in many sizes. It can be found growing on low branches of trees and rocks. They are beautiful, ongoing flowers that will grow year round. Make sure to prune this orchid the right way so that its growth will not be dictated by its environment.

Happy Orchid Growing!

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How to Grow Orchids

orchid care

 

Orchids are generally best grown with light that is similar to the kind of light they would receive in their natural habitat. Orchids should be kept away from direct sunlight as this can cause problems with their leaves as they can burn. If you do grow orchids you will need to ensure that the plant is kept in a place that has a temperature that is similar to that of the plants natural environment.

The best way to grow orchids is to use a combination of sunlight and artificial light. Orchids that are grown indoors, use fluorescent light bulbs. These can be found at most garden shops and are cheap and effective.assuming that you have a bright living room, you should have no trouble finding the right kind of fluorescent bulb to ensure that your orchids are kept bright.

The plant needs to be watered every other day and is grown through hydroponics, this means that the roots do not have to work as hard and take in the nutrients that other plants do, with hydroponics, the nutrients that are given to the plant are fed directly through the roots. This means that the orchid grower does not have to check the roots of his or her plant regularly to see whether the plant needs to be watered.

When grown primarily through hydroponics, orchids can be watered seven to eight days apart. This is far less frequent than the orchid grower would use to keep his or her plants thrive. This schedule allows the orchid grower to know whether to water the orchid or not. If the roots of the plant show signs of drying, he or she can be safe to water the plant.

The best tip to achieving great blooms is to pay attention to the amount of light your orchid receives, the ideal is somewhere between 12 and 16 hours of light. If your orchid receives more than 16 hours of light; you will experience regular but slow growth of the leaves. If the plant receives less than 14 hours of light; you will start to seethe leaves start to brown; this means that the orchid is dehydrated.

Yellowing or black spots on the leaves can be caused by irregular watering, the plant does not get hydrated often enough, or the overuse of fertilizer. If you use a water soluble fertilizer mix it into the water in the reservoir of the orchid before watering. This will be a good habit to continue.

In order to remove the old potting mixture, the best tip to do is to trim any dead roots, the cut roots should be carefully removed; use sterilized scissors to prevent infection. Be very careful when removing any or all of the leaves, tend to preserve as much as you can. If you decide to include some or all of the orchid in the new pot; you will be well advised to remove the plant from the original pot; the plant could conduct root damage if separated.  There are extreme gardeners that will even use a road case to move the orchid in between pots.

Orchids such as the Phalaenopsis do not need much attention, be prepared to encounter some cm of the orchid in its original pot, as it will probably be several years old at the time of repotting. As the roots of the Phalaenopsis orchids have to be tuned for propagation, it is well worth the effort of pruning them back to some extent. Once the orchid is potted, the pruning has to be carried out very carefully lest you damage the roots beyond repair. Carefully remove any dead or weak roots; a cut should be made on the part that theilli fits the size of the pot. A dead onion root is easy to spot; hence the name.

Potting material is much finer, blends well and allows air to circulate around the roots. Some material like bark, grass, peat, small stones and particles of charcoal which have been moistened in water are most helpful in preventing the escape of moisture and humidity.

The content of the media must be such that the weight of it permits the water to drain away from the roots and permit air circulation. All this is needed for the orchid to grow healthy and thrive. The media gives the plant support. support is needed for the orchid to grow upright. Some types of orchids grow on a host whether it is a tree or a rock. In its natural habitat, the orchid is supported by the air or the bodies of insects, but not by itself. The roots of the orchid do not absorb water like most terrestrial orchids so they need moisture. With few exceptions, orchids are not exposed to the air as the roots of the epiphytic orchid do.

The orchid should be repotted in a pot that is not too big for it. Visit your local garden retailer, the one with the greenhouses, the building with the many levels that is the supermarket or the department store.