Growing Impeccable Orchids with Ease:

 

Orchids!  The name, alone, creates fear in many, and it isn’t difficult to understand why.  I, too, have read article after web page in a dedicated search for information, only to glean from each one, exactly what I had read on the last.  The result was little, to no more understanding than what I had dived into the process with.  However, mastering the knowledge of “why” these plants are so picky about everything that pertains to their growth is far less difficult than it may seem.  And knowing how to imitate their natural, tropical environment will be the key to your success.  So, if you have decided to ‘take a chance’, and invest your hard earned money in, yet another, one of these plants then you’ve come to the right place. 

First, and foremost, to be successful in growing orchids and achieve the amazing exhibition of blooms that some people would kill for, you have to accept the fact that orchids need air.  And they need a LOT of it!  After all, a number of the most popular orchids grow in the tops of rainforest trees, where there is little, to no soil, a lot of humidity, a lot of shade, and a lot of fresh air.  It is true that most plants do not care for air to come in contact with their roots.  But, when you consider that orchids make their home in this, very delicate, environment it should be less difficult for you to imagine how important it is to imitate it.  This is, but, one example of how orchids can intimidate even the most successful grower.  They are unusual and unique, and practically demand to be treated as such.  They will absolutely thrive in aerated conditions.  In fact, there are some species that do not need to be planted at all, and can simply be hung in various places around the home and misted occasionally with water. 

Orchids can be planted in a number of containers.  They do, however, grow most successfully in containers that allow circulation of air to their roots.  Orchid pots are made specifically for these plants because they have ‘built in’ slits which allow this to occur.  Another option is to use hanging baskets lined with sphagnum moss or coconut fiber.  Both of these provide similar, if not better, results than an orchid pot and, also, give you the advantage of being able to display your orchids in more creative places throughout your home.  Any of these items can be purchased from your local hardware store, or the craft shop down the road.  They are inexpensive, and invaluable for properly growing orchids. 

Now, let’s move on to growing medium.  Orchids do not need soil, per se, but prefer to grow in conditions that provide air flow.  A simple and affordable way to accomplish this is to grow the plants in a medium that contains, mostly, tree bark.  However, if you want to encourage more moisture and aeration, the mix (whether purchased or mixed on your own) may contain perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, and/or sphagnum moss, but they are not necessary ingredients.  Personally, I choose to buy pine nuggets and add a few strings of sphagnum moss, which works better than any “store bought” medium that I have ever used.  It is, also, cheap, and makes for a lovely display.

Watering is the least difficult aspect of orchid growing.  It is crucial that you let the medium dry out between each watering.  Orchid roots do not like to be drowned in water, and it is the easiest way to kill them.  Remember that the roots of an orchid need a lot of air, and over-watering prevents the necessary amount of it from reaching them.  The best way to, both, water and provide nutrients is to dilute a plant fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content, in 1 gallon of distilled (purified or filtered) water.  I mix, exactly, ¼ of a teaspoon to the gallon, and then pour the mix into an empty, dish detergent bottle.  Using this method will prevent over-watering.  Spray, approximately, ¼ of a cup of this solution at the base of each orchid (where the stem is growing up from the medium) once per week.  And only that often!  Once, per month, water your orchid with pure water and no fertilizer, until the water runs from the bottom of the container.  This process will clear out any salts and left over fertilizer which can, if left to accumulate, harm your plant.  If you prefer to baby your plants, it will not hurt to mist them with pure water every other day, or so.  Orchids like this treatment, but it is not crucial to their growth.  It is important, however, that if you decide to do this, not to do so until the medium is dry after each monthly cleaning.  Otherwise, very harmful mold and mildew may begin to grow.

Now, let’s move on to lighting.  Filtered light is absolutely necessary to orchid growth.  Placing them in too much sunlight will burn the leaves.  Not giving them enough sunlight will cause the leaves to turn a very dark, green color.  Though dark foliage is nice, the majority of people who grow orchids are not interested in the beauty of the leaves.  If you happen to be a person who is, then the best way to achieve this is to limit their sunlight.  However, for those of us who want millions of flowers that have the ability to take our breath away, and stop any passer-by in their tracks, then it is necessary to provide proper lighting.  I have found that fluorescent lighting, placed no less than 6 inches away from my plants, is one of the best sources of light.  If you do not want to invest a few more dollars to create this environment, there is still hope.  A south facing, sunny window sill will do just as well.  Just make sure that the light in this location is filtered and not direct.  Remember, that most orchids live in an environment where sunlight is filtered through the trees.  So, this is what you should provide them. 

As you can see, orchid growing is not a complex science.  It is, rather, simple and well worth, both, the money and the effort that is required.  Just remember to imitate their natural environment as much as possible, and you will have the most productive and show-stopping orchids around.

Happy growing!

 

Jessica Sigmon

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