Did you know that orchids are one of the most prolific flowers in the world? Being from Colorado, I recently found out that there are even orchids high up in the Rocky Mountains.
The are literally thousands of different kinds of orchids.The one in the photo is called a Phalaenopsis orchid.
Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the easiest orchids to grow.If you are considering buying an orchid, the Phalaenopsis is probably a very good choice for you.
Some people think that because some orchids are from the tropics they require lots of water. But that is generally a misconception because orchids are more like a succulent plant. Especially the Phalaenopsis orchid. The thick heavy leaves on a Phalaenopsis hold moisture in the leaves. The quickest way to kill and orchid is to over water it. So please do not over water your orchid.
Orchids do grow in the tropics (certain genus), so with that in mind, think of orchids growing in moss or tree bark. Commercially grown orchids are always found in a coconut bark mix or sphagnum moss. One or the other, depending on the grower and they do well in either medium. But, there are many fans of orchids that prefer the bark mix over the moss.
What are the differences? The bark mixture does not hold water well. In fact you might say it runs right through it. So if you go with bark mix, you have to keep your orchid in a tray with gravel or decorative stone in the bottom to hold the moisture. But do not sit your orchid in the water itself. Put enough of the gravel or decorative stone under the pot so as to keep the orchid out of the water. Your orchid will enjoy the humidity provided by the water in the tray.
Many orchids grow aerial roots. These roots are normal and will often stick out over the pot. These roots help the orchid by searching for moisture. Do not cut them off.
If you grow your orchid in sphagnum moss, you cannot over water it.The moss has a tendency to hold the water in the pot much longer than the orchid bark mix. So you have to keep that in mind when deciding how often to water your orchid. I water my orchids about once every two weeks. Some of mine are in moss and some are in bark mix.
The pot doesn't appear to play a huge part in how healthy you orchid is.What seems to make a bigger difference is whether or not you feed it. So don't spend money on a so called orchid pot, spend it on the fertilizer instead. A pretty pot will do just fine.
Orchids, as you can imagine, do not get much nutrition from the moss, probably more from the bark mix as it breaks down. So with that in mind you need to give it an orchid fertilizer. There are many on the market, but I have found that the inexpensive ones seem to work as well as the more pricey ones. Very little is needed, for some, you use only 1/4 tsp. per gallon of water. Others require 1/2 tsp. per gallon of water. Just make sure to follow the instructions carefully.
Once in awhile you may find a mealy bug on your orchid. Simply wipe it off with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Or put alcohol in a small spray bottle and spray if you find more than one or the bug is in the center of the plant where it is hard to reach. That seems to work very well. Keep the leaves of your orchids clean. I wash mine in the sink with organic cleaner, carefully holding the plant sideways to prevent the soapy water from getting in the moss or bark.
Don't expect to smell an orchid all the time. Many of the orchids on the market today are cloned, and as such are far removed from the mother plant, unable to produce the pheromones that are so lovely. But, if you get an aromatic orchid, you may still not smell it very often. Why? Because orchids are smart. They do not waste their fragrance, only putting it out when the pollinator is active, for about an hour a day.
Orchids will stay in bloom for months.I had a white Phal stay in bloom from January till July. You get more bang for your buck with an orchid. As a live plant the flowers will stay in bloom for months, whereas other plants will not give you as much joy for as long. So if you want a decorative flower filling your house, try orchids, they make a great hobby and will give you so much year after year.
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