January
22, 2004
I am quite fond of the orchid, a flowering plant that I think everyone
should own. Its flowers come in many colors. Some of my favorites are red,
bright yellow, orange, and deep purple. The size of the flowers can vary from
barely visible to the naked eye to four or five inches across. The larger
flowers make a huge impact, but the tiny ones are quite fascinating.
Orchid blooms can last only a day or two, or as long as six months depending
on the variety selected. Some blooms resemble insects. The phalaenopsis
is often called the "moth orchid" because of the flower's resemblance
to a moth. The blooms of the oncidium are often
called "dancing ladies" because the bloom is smaller at the top
resembling a woman's body, and the bottom portion looks like a woman's skirt.
When your plant is not in bloom you can group it with others and continue
caring for it as usual until it blooms again. I have seen some people put silk
orchid flowers in the pot when the plant is not in bloom, but this is something
I would not do.
There are a number of varieties that are easy to grow in the home and can be
purchased locally for about $20.00. Some of the names you will see are phalaenopsis, cattleya, oncidium, paphiopedilum, and epidendrum. The first thing they need is a lot of light,
but not direct sun. I grow mine in the house, in a shaded greenhouse, and under
a bald cypress tree. They will do well in rooms with east, west, and southern
exposures. If you have plantation shutters or blinds on your windows you can
grow them on the windowsill. Filtered light is just what they like. Don't let
them get direct sun or the leaves will burn and the plant can be damaged.
Outside the home they can be grown almost anywhere you want as long as the
leaves do not get direct sunlight. If you are growing them outside you will
need to protect them from freezing temperatures. My orchids have done quite
well in temperatures from 38 to 100 degrees.
Next let's discuss water and fertilizer. Something I was told by another
orchid grower is "water weekly, weakly," meaning water every week
with a weak solution of fertilizer. This is an easy thing to remember. Most
orchids do not die from under-watering, but from over-watering. Orchids are
epiphytes, meaning they grow on things such as trees and rocks. They use what
they grow on for support only, not as a food source. The roots are exposed to
light, water, and air.
When growing orchids in the home, they are being grown out of their natural
habitat in a pot with either bark or rock. It is important to wet your orchid
medium well, meaning really let the water run through, and then let it dry out
before watering again. I water my orchids in clay pots one to two times a week
in the winter, and two to three times a week in the summer. Orchids in plastic
pots I water once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer.
Fertilizer will keep your orchid healthy and give it the energy it needs to
bloom. Fertilizer should be used once a week. The best fertilizer is
water-soluble and it should be balanced, meaning all three numbers should be
the same (e.g. 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.) You will need to use less fertilizer than
directed; I use about 1/4 to 1/2 of what is recommended on the package.
Now for a little bit of information about repotting, always wait until your
orchid is finished blooming before you repot. It is also best to repot in the
peak of its growing season, usually June through September. Orchids need to be
repotted every two to three years because the bark breaks down and will not dry
out as quickly. Remember that orchids do not like wet soggy roots. Also, just
because you are re-potting, it doesn't mean you have to put your orchid in a
larger pot. You are really just replacing the bark. If your orchid is
top-heavy, then a larger pot may be needed. Gently pull the orchid out of the
pot and remove as much of the old bark as you can. I recommend buying a bag of
orchid bark or orchid mix at one of our local garden centers. Orchid bark is
bark only; orchid mix might contain perlite, sphagnum
moss, and coal as well as bark. Put a little bark in the bottom of the pot and
then hold the orchid at the rim of the pot letting the roots dangle into the
pot. Add bark until the pot is full and the orchid is supported. You can gently
shake the pot to get the bark to move down around the roots.
After repotting, you may need to water your orchid a little more often for
the next month or so. Then you should begin to notice nice white roots growing
with a bit of green at the tip. This is a good sign that your orchid is doing
well.
So, there you have it. An orchid needs light, water, and fertilizer, and can
grow in a variety of environments and climates. This is a great plant for