Orchids are the most fascinating cult of flowers and growing them can be a wonderful experience. Orchid gardening is also a rewarding hobby when pursued with care. Orchids are very sensitive and enough care must be taken while
rearing them. The proper knowledge of the types of orchids is essential for orchid gardening. The information about the species of the orchid being grown helps in optimizing the growth requirements of the plant.
Orchids have the regular growth requirements as their other counterparts and need optimum quantities of light, ventilation, temperature, nutrients and water for growth. Orchids are quick adaptors and grow everywhere. The different species of orchids need different conditions to grow and providing them accordingly can give best results. Some of the useful information for orchid enthusiasts is given below.
Growing Medium
Orchid culture makes use of many types of potting mediums. Most of the orchids are grown in osmunda fiber. The tough fibers break down slowly and make for an ideal potting medium. They can also be grown in pots filled with bark chips, tree fern, stones, charcoal pieces or other loosely packed material capable of keeping the roots well aerated and draining water easily. Orchids can be grown on fresh pine bark mixed with other materials like peat, perlite or vermiculite. Other varieties can be grown in wooden slatted baskets without compost but with daily watering. A medium containing a mix of rockwool, sphagnum moss, perlite and little dolomite lime is good for the Chinese species.
Planting
Orchids grow slowly, unlike the houseplants. The pot should be filled two-thirds with potting medium and then the plant set in the pot with its roots spread out. For monopodials, the growing tips can be centered and placed two fingers from the pot rim in case of sympodial varieties. Additional media should then be packed tightly around the plant such that there is no displacement even when the pot is turned upside down. When the shoots extend over the edge of the pot, the plant should be repotted. Repotting the orchids once every two years is advised for the orchid growers.
Temperature
Orchids grow at optimum temperatures and this might vary with the variety being grown. The ideal temperature preferred by most of the orchids is between 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Light
Proper light must be provided to the plant for better yield. Light requirements for orchids vary with the species but generally 4 hours of sunlight is the minimum requirement. Artificial light can be used to rear orchids during winter. The leaves are bright green when they receive optimum sunlight, they turn dark green in color when they get less light and are reddish green when they receive extra light. Thus the light can be monitored by observing the leaf color.
Water
Excess watering can be detrimental to the plant and kill the roots. The frequency of watering varies with temperature, growing medium, time of year and species of the orchids. Generally, they need watering once a week or every 10 days. They should be watered when the soil becomes dry and allowed to dry before watering again. Orchids grown in pots suspended in air dry rapidly and would require frequent watering. Also, orchids potted in bark need more water.
Fertilizers
Orchid gardening is more successful when supplemented with fertilizers. Although orchids do not need abundant doses of fertilizers, orchid special fertilizers can help maintain healthy plants and get blooms on a regular basis. The fertilizer should be applied in place of a normal water application. However, excessive use of fertilizers can burn the leaves and roots so it should be done with care.
Orchid Gardening Tips:
1. Orchids die from over-watering so do not over water them. They need a lot of water but in one go and like to be left to dry out after being drenched.
2. Orchids are epiphytes and like to have air flowing around their roots. Do not bury orchid roots in soil. Keep them well aerated and let them grow outside the pot, if they do.
3. Over dosage of fertilizers should be avoided to protect the plants from getting burnt.
4. Orchids should be fed at the right times, less during winter and regularly during summer and spring.
5. Optimum sunlight should be provided to the plants by monitoring the changes in leaf colors.
