Your First Orchid!
So, you've just purchased your first orchid. Congratulations!
Historically, orchids were viewed as rare and exotic. Thought to be difficult to keep, grow and bloom, they were the luxuries of the wealthy. Today, thanks to modern technological breeding techniques, orchids (specifically the Moth Orchid or phalaenopsis) are now more common than cut flowers.
Grocery stores, home centers and hardware stores sell these beautiful orchids for less than cut flowers.
You've brought your orchid home, now what do you do? Here are some orchid care basics:
Orchid care is more like an art than a science. Of course, you can easily get general directions on how to care for a particular orchid genus from our CARESHEETS. However, there are many "fudge" factors to create the perfect condition for your very own growing environment. Everyone's growing conditions are different and even different regions offer unique challenges (such as Sacramento's hot dry summers.) All elements need to complement one other for your orchid to thrive. You will also need to observe your plants to gauge their happiness with the current treatments.
BASIC ORCHID CARE 101
Six elements are essential to your orchid care program. These elements are the ones that you provide your orchids on a daily/weekly/monthly basis-water, temperature, light, air movement, humidity and fertilizer. They all work together to ensure the health of your orchids.
1. Water
To water or not to water, that's the question. Orchid casualties, most of the time, are caused by over-watering. So how much should you water? It will depend on your humidity, air movement and temperature.
The first rule of thumb is to ONLY WATER IN THE MORNING. You should NEVER water at night or in the afternoon! Even if your orchid is dry and you bring it home from the store in the evening and you think "it needs a drink of water" --- WAIT till the morning! To learn about watering your orchids, click here (COMING SOON)
2. Temperature
Finding out what type of orchids you have will give you a pretty good idea of what temperature it needs. Generally speaking, the temperature ranges are cool, intermediate and warm. To learn about temperatures, click here. (COMING SOON)
3. Light
The leaves an orchid have can tell you a lot about the light level it needs. To make your life a bit easier, orchid growers categorize the light levels as low, medium and high. To find out what kind of light your orchid might need, click here (COMING SOON)
4. Air movement
If I put you in a glass jar with no wind, I bet you wouldn't be very happy (or healthy, or able to stretch out). Orchids also need air movement to be healthy. The more humid a place is, the more essential air movement becomes. To learn how air should always be moving for orchids, click here (COMING SOON)
5. Humidity
Humidity is just water in the air. Humidity is extremely important to the success of your orchid care program. Humidity is important. Learn how to keep your orchids happy by increasing humidity by clicking here (COMING SOON)
6. Fertilize
Many people swear by the "weekly weakly" routine of fertilizing their orchid plants. But some orchids are more fertilizer-hungry than others and sometimes it is important to hold off giving any plant food to your orchids. Learn when how and why about fertilizers by clicking here (COMING SOON)
Are orchids hard to grow?
No. They are no more difficult to grow than many popular flowering plants. Like any plant, an orchid needs water, fertilizer, light and air. If you grow other ornamental plants either in the garden or indoors, you can grow orchids
Aren't orchids terribly expensive?
Not any more. Once a hobby for the wealthy, orchids are now within the reach of any income. Modern reproductive methods make it possible for growers to enjoy plants for a reasonable price. You can spend as little as you like. But trying to own one orchid is like trying to eat one peanut.
Are all orchids the same?
Quite the contrary. No plant family is more diverse. After all, the orchid family is the largest plant family, occupying almost all possible environments. From the thimble-sized Mystacidium caffrum to the 20-foot-tall Renanthera storei, orchids exhibit amazingly different shapes, forms and growth habits. Some orchids produce blossoms no larger than a mosquito; other orchid flowers are as large as a dinner plate. Your familiar corsage is just one of the thousands of attractive types that can be grown with ease, given the proper culture. And with today's propagation methods and current hybridizing trends, there are more choices to choose from than ever before.
Are orchids parasites?
Absolutely not! Of the approximately 20,000 species of orchids that grow around the world, not one is parasitic. In nature, many orchids cling to trees and bushes as a growth habit, but they take nothing from the host plant and do not injure it in any way. Orchids that grow on trees are called epiphytes or air plants.
Do orchids come from the tropics?
Some do. But every country in the world and every state in the United States, including Alaska, have orchids.
Are orchids short-lived?
Most are long-lived. In fact, some species are virtually immortal, given the proper attention. Divisions or propagations of orchids discovered in the 19th century are still growing and flowering today.
How long do orchid blooms last?
It depends on the type as well as on cultural treatment. Blooms of hybrids of the genus Cattleya may last from one to four weeks on the plant. Those of the genus Phalaenopsis commonly last from one to four months
How often do orchids bloom?
Again, it depends on the plant. Some bloom once a year, others bloom several times a year and some even bloom continuously.
Are orchids fragrant?
Some are so powerfully scented as to perfume an entire greenhouse or living room. A few orchid fragrances defy description, while others mimic familiar aromas -- raspberry, coconut, lilacs and citrus. Others have no scent, but rely on shape and color to attract insects or birds for pollination, thereby continuing the life cycle of the species.
Can I transport orchids?
Yes. Because many of them are cultivated in pots or baskets, they can be carried anywhere. Many growers use blooming plants as living centerpieces in their homes. Orchids are routinely mailed and sold at shows. But use common sense. When you buy orchids, do not let them sit in a hot or cold car or damage may result.
Where can I buy orchids?
Historically orchids were difficult to find, however today orchids are found in the "big box" stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Orchard), and perhaps even in your local supermarket (Trader Joe's, Raley's, etc.). Remember: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! An excellent way to start is by coming to the Sacramento Orchid Society's monthly meetings (always the first Wednesday of each month) and buying raffle tickets! Our society also holds an annual Orchid Show and Sale where you can buy directly from growers and specialty sellers of orchids. Hundreds of orchid nurseries, many of which advertise monthly in Orchids magazine, exist in the United States and around the world. Additionally, many fine growers will ship orchids right to your door!
Is conservation of orchids an important issue?
Absolutely! Sadly, orchid species are becoming extinct faster than they can be described and classified. Threats to orchids originate primarily from loss of habitat and collecting. The SOS (Sacramento Orchid Society) advocates the purchase of only artificially propagated orchids, either from meristems (clones) or seeds, which will help discourage the collecting of orchid species at home and abroad. The SOS also encourages orchidists to pollinate orchid species already in their collections and to share the seedlings with their fellow orchidists. For more information about this serious topic, and to learn how to get involved and to support conservation efforts, visit the conservation pages of this website.
Where can I get more information?
Visit other areas of our website for care information!
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