Orchid Care Tips

Orchids belong to the largest family of flowering plants. Orchids have evolved over thousands of years and have adapted to grow on every continent except Antarctica, Orchids are recognized as the most popular exotic plant in the world and Orchids have become the favorite of both new and qualified gardeners. Orchids vary in the way they grow and find there food and water, they are either epiphytes or are traditional soil loving plants. Orchids are often considered to be a specialty plant that can only be grown in a commercial greenhouse with specialized orchid care however, you can grow orchids in the home or garden if you choose the right type and offer the correct growing environment. Planting orchids or growing them in pots can be a challenging but worthwhile experience and with this species you will be content with the wonderful blooms and fragrance that Orchids produce. Early in the Orchids past they were rare and only found abundantly in their natural living habitats. In modern times people have collected and grown the Orchid and established it as a very admired species. With today’s marketplace they can be grown and traded throughout the world very easily which has led to an abundance of varieties that are available to the hobby. Orchids have now become a major commercial market throughout the world. Buyers can pay hundreds of dollars on new or improved hybrids. Orchids are now one of the most popular cut-flowers on the market. Orchid hybridization has been around for many years, but only recently have the new technologies made the production of hybrids more economical. The two most commonly grown and sought after Orchids are the Phalaenopsis and the Dendrobium. Phalaenopsis orchids have hundreds of flowers in a cluster that are long lasting and are rather easy to grow. These Orchid flowers are favorites at weddings and in floral displays and can be colorful in pinks, yellows and stripes. These are native to the Philippines and have become a very popular house and garden plant. The Dendrobium is the second largest orchid genus and has over a thousand species. These Orchids can be found in Northern India, South East Asia, Australia and Polynesia. Dendrobiums typically grow near the equator in tropical conditions, although some grow in climates with dry winters. Dendrobiums can be easy to grow; it is rather difficult to get them to bloom regularly. Many new gardeners shy away from Orchids because they believe it take a professional to achieve success and they do not know the basics of orchid care. Many people think that growing orchids requires a big greenhouse however if you pick the right type and provide it with the right environment anyone with basic knowledge of plant care can grow Orchids in the home. Orchids do require some basic conditions to do well. As with all plants they require light, water, humidity, proper temperature and right growing medium. Orchids like light and they will grow and flower best in a bright sunny window. A southern exposure, with indirect light in the morning and afternoon is best. Winter in some areas can be a problem with lighting, if needed fluorescent lighting can be used to supplement the natural sunlight. Plant grow lights have gotten very good at providing the proper light for growing orchids and you can use them in any area of the home and have wonderful plants. Tropical orchids need and grow greatly in organic material, bark and fibers mixed with peat are great for growing orchids. The planting mix must have good drainage but should also hold some moisture. There are special orchid mixes available to make it quite easy. Provide your Orchids with a liquid fertilizer that has a 20-20-20 analysis or a specialized orchid fertilizer (30-10-10).