Orchids

Transplanting the beloved Orchids

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Blooming OrchidsThe blooming Orchids need support so that they are able to carry the weight of the flowers without breaking. These tropical beauties love the heat and feel good at 20 degrees Celsius.

During the blooming period the Orchid flowers should not be transplanted. It would be best if this is done a week after the Orchid stops blooming. If the rosettes of the flower are close to each other the plant can be transplanted or divided. When taking out the Orchids from the pot try not to damage the roots which often grow near the walls of the container. Carefully separate them with a knife and after that take the plant by the leaves and carefully take it out of the pot together with the soil. The new pot, which should be a little bigger than the former, should be filled with a special substrate for Orchids. The ordinary substrate is not appropriate since it contains too much peat which the decorative plants cannot put up with. The feeding of the fading Orchids should be stopped.

The resting plants should be watered only when the substrate becomes too dry.

Growing hybrid Orchids

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Cattleya hybrid orchid

Cattleya - is one of the popular hybrid Orchids

Hybrid Orchid plantlets usually originate from encapsulated embryos grown in laboratories under aseptic conditions (in vitro) during 8 months. In order to send them to the market, those plantlets, in numbers of three, are placed into sealed bags of special cellophane containing a nutritive solution and a special tissue for protecting their roots. For overseas delivery, these cellophane bags are placed in light cardboard boxes, which in turn are packed in sturdy cardboard boxes.

Since hybrid Orchids are very delicate, it is necessary that they undergo a hardening process before they are exposed to the normal nursery or greenhouse environment. Good shade and high relative humidity in the initial stages are crucial for successful plant establishment and low mortality. Shading net (saran) providing at least 70% shade is appropriate. In large operations, irrigation is applied with a proper system with a pump, plastic pipeline and mist sprayers, whereas in small greenhouses manual sprayers are normally used for watering. For the first days shorter and more frequent watering is suggested (3 rounds per day). Later, once the plantlets are rooted, watering should be applied when the substratum becomes dry (1 round per day).

In early growth stages, hybrid Orchids can be planted in trays or in small single plastic pots, where good drainage is a must. The following procedure is recommended:

  • Place a layer of small stones or pieces from a broken clay pot (2 cm in diameter) at the bottom of a plastic pot, the thickness of which should be approximately 1/3 the height of the pot. Over this layer, place a second layer (1-2 cm thick) of small pieces of Styrofoam sheet (1 cm in diameter) in order to allow for more volume and good aeration. Finally, place on top a third layer of a substratum for growing orchids (available at specialized shops and nurseries) of at least 2- to 3-cm thick.
  • Remove the orchid plantlets from the packing carefully, avoiding any damage to leaves and roots.
  • Place the plantlet in the pot and cover the roots with the substratum.

Fertilizing the Orchids

Orchids are normally fertilized with foliar sprays. It is advised for the initial stages to spray the plantlets weekly with a fertilizer solution alternating Nitrophoska (1 ml/l) with 20-20-20 (0.5 ml/l) or a similar formulation.

Use weekly sprays of Dithane (2 g/l), Benlate (1 g/l) and Cypermethrine (1.5 ml/l) as preventive treatments against pest and diseases.

How to grow, water and fertilize the Orchids

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The Orchids are the most spectacular of all flowering plants. They grow in tropical rain forests where it is nice and very humid. When you are growing Orchids at home you should try to mimic the environment you find in rain forests. Most Orchids in nature are Epiphytic, meaning that they grow upon another plant (such as a tree) non-parasitically. That is why  you will need a potting mix with good drainage to grow it at home. Most potting mixes that you find will have fir bark, charcoal, perlite, etc. This provides good drainage and good air circulation for your Orchids.

Watering the Orchids

One of the fastest and easiest way to kill your Orchids is to over water them. If you are over watering your Orchids you will notice that their leafs are turning yellow and fall off. This is because the roots are rotting and are not getting enough nutrients and water up to the plant.

Another reason for the leafs to turn yellow is if you are under watering the flower. A good sign for under watering the Orchids is the wrinkled folia trays. This is a good indication that you want to water the plants more generously.

There are two easy ways to water your Orchids.

  • One is to take it and just run it under the tap and let the water run through the potting mix, until it is generously draining through the other end.
  • Another way to water it is to soak it in a basin of water. Soak it so that the water comes right over the top of the pot and let it sit there for 10 minutes. After that take the pot out of the bowl, drain it well and put it back in its spot.

If you are not sure if you should water, an easy trick that you can use on most flowers is to stick a pencil into the potting medium, leave it there for about 10 minutes and come back and check the tip of the pencil. If the pencil is dry – you need to water your Orchid and if the pencil is still moist then leave it alone for a day or a two.

When growing Orchids at home you will be watering it proximately every 4 to 10 days, depending on the season and also the light and the temperature of your home.

Fertilizing your Orchids

The fir bark mix that you are growing your Orchids in is low in nutrients that is why it is important to remember to fertilize your Orchids as well. If you are unsure about the fertilizer you can go with a balanced fertilizer with equal numbers (20-20-20) is your best choice.