Are you looking for green orchids to grow in your home or outside? Unfortunately they are a very rare type of orchid. Although beautiful they are, it is somewhat difficult to obtain a single flower of this color. Here I will discuss some different types plants that I think you might want to check out before dismissing these beautiful flowers.
Let's Begin With The Platenthera Genus
One type of green plant that you might enjoy growing is the Platenthera genus. These, although an endangered species, can be grown in almost any type of temperate climate. If you are located in an area that has a temperate climate then this may be the perfect one for you to begin growing. These flowers natural habitat is located in temperate conditions unlike other species. These might be somewhat difficult to find, but if you search around I bet you could find a place that will have these types of flowers.
Cymbidiums Also Contain a Variety of These Colors
The Green Cymbidiums are another type of plant that you might find enjoyable. These flowers are actually a more popular type that is usually found among wedding bouquets and other flower arrangements. Because of the many different hybrids that are associated with Cymbidiums it is not unusual to find a this colored flower among this species. They are an amazing flower to grow in your home or office especially if you are a beginner orchid grower. Find out how to grow these simple flowers with just a few simple guidelines.
The Last on The List for Today
The last one that may intrigue you is the slipper orchid. They are also referred to as Paphiopedilum and have many varieties of green that can be grown with the right habitat. They are native flowers from China and Vietnam and require a tropical habitat for maximum growth. Although they differ in appearance from many others, they do require the same basic nutrient requirements as well as the proper climate.
These are just some types of green orchids that you can begin growing in your backyard or home. All you need is some information and you too can start planting these beautiful plants in your home. Have fun and enjoy the beauty of these magnificent flowers.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Dendrobium Care For The Young Enthusiast
This is going to be a short post, but I will get straight to the point with some tips for caring for these easy orchid plants. Dendrobium care can be very easy if you have some information on exactly how to maintain them. I am going to discuss just a few tips that you will need to know in order to have thriving flowers in your home immediately.
Pay Close Attention to The Watering and Moisture of These Flowers
While your flowers are being grown in your home you must pay attention to the wetness of your orchid medium. You will need to keep the soil a little more damp than usual because Dendrobium care requires that you allow enough water to grow healthy plants. During the dormant phase of these plants you will have to do the exact opposite when watering.
Instead of leaving the soil moist or damp you will need to allow the roots to dry out properly when it enters its dormant phase. When they are in this phase they will not absorb as much nutrients as in the normal growing process. Because these flowers will not absorb much nutrients it will not need as much water as it usual would when it comes out of dormancy. When your plants come out of this phase then you can begin to water your flowers on a regular basis.
Understanding and Applying The Proper Watering Needs
There are some simple ways you can properly water this orchid. Some gardeners and enthusiasts prefer spraying a little water daily on the medium and roots when they start to show. Use a small spray bottle to give your flowers the moisture that will result in flowering and beautiful orchids.
There is a process that you water down all the areas that happen to be around your plants which includes the pot walls, paths, and everything that happens to be close to your orchid container. This ladder method will allow for less damage to your Dendrobium plants and will allow for much easier growing of these beautiful flowers.
Like I said this will be a short post and I wanted to give you just a little bit of information that can help you caring for Dendrobiums. It is time to start growing these flowers right now and see how much help these tips can give you when planting them.
Pay Close Attention to The Watering and Moisture of These Flowers
While your flowers are being grown in your home you must pay attention to the wetness of your orchid medium. You will need to keep the soil a little more damp than usual because Dendrobium care requires that you allow enough water to grow healthy plants. During the dormant phase of these plants you will have to do the exact opposite when watering.
Instead of leaving the soil moist or damp you will need to allow the roots to dry out properly when it enters its dormant phase. When they are in this phase they will not absorb as much nutrients as in the normal growing process. Because these flowers will not absorb much nutrients it will not need as much water as it usual would when it comes out of dormancy. When your plants come out of this phase then you can begin to water your flowers on a regular basis.
Understanding and Applying The Proper Watering Needs
There are some simple ways you can properly water this orchid. Some gardeners and enthusiasts prefer spraying a little water daily on the medium and roots when they start to show. Use a small spray bottle to give your flowers the moisture that will result in flowering and beautiful orchids.
There is a process that you water down all the areas that happen to be around your plants which includes the pot walls, paths, and everything that happens to be close to your orchid container. This ladder method will allow for less damage to your Dendrobium plants and will allow for much easier growing of these beautiful flowers.
Like I said this will be a short post and I wanted to give you just a little bit of information that can help you caring for Dendrobiums. It is time to start growing these flowers right now and see how much help these tips can give you when planting them.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Phalaenopsis Orchid Care Techniques
Phalaenopsis orchids are one of the most sought after and beautiful plants that any gardener can grow. Although they are naturally found in the Himalayan Mountains, northern Australia, and even in the Philippines they can be easily grown in your own home. Performing the precise Phalaenopsis care doesn't take that much work once you know exactly what to do. Here are some tips that should help you with your brand new hobby.
Humidity is a Big Concern With These Flowers
Since Phalaenopsis plants are one of the most popular orchids for most enthusiasts, then it is important to know all about them and what they need. First of all supplying humidity is one of the most common problems found with these types of flowers. Normally they are used to high humidity because their natural habitat has an enormous amount of humidity which they thrive in.
A humidifier is one of the easiest ways to supply the right amount of humidity to your new plants. It can also be accomplished by placing a tray of water below your flowers as well. Use a hydrometer to measure the correct amount of humidity around your plants. Sixty to eighty percent should be supplied to your flowers.
Keeping Them in The Correct Sunlight That is Required
Place your orchids in a sunny area, which is usually a southward windowsill. If you put your plants in these types of places it should provide an adequate amount of light to them. All you need to pay attention to is the temperature where your flowers are residing. Keeping the temperature between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal range for thriving blossoms.
You will also need to make sure the temperature does not dip below 60 degrees at night. If the temperature is expected to be below 60 degrees then you will have to bring in your plant right away. A temperature too low will seriously harm or even damage your orchids.
Keep The Watering Needs at Proper Levels
Watering your Phalaenopsis orchids is something that you need to perform correctly as you do with other flowers. A dried out plant is not healthy as well as an over-watered one either. What many people don't know is that drying out the medium in which the plant resides can be healthier than having an over-watered soil. Once the soil inside of the pot has dried this is a good indication that it is time to water your plants. During the colder months you will not have to water your orchids as often as you would during the warm humid seasons.
With these simple techniques you will be able to correctly grow healthy and thriving flowers. Just pay attention to the small details of growing these plants and give it the proper care that it needs and you will see a difference in the health and vitality of your plants.
Humidity is a Big Concern With These Flowers
Since Phalaenopsis plants are one of the most popular orchids for most enthusiasts, then it is important to know all about them and what they need. First of all supplying humidity is one of the most common problems found with these types of flowers. Normally they are used to high humidity because their natural habitat has an enormous amount of humidity which they thrive in.
A humidifier is one of the easiest ways to supply the right amount of humidity to your new plants. It can also be accomplished by placing a tray of water below your flowers as well. Use a hydrometer to measure the correct amount of humidity around your plants. Sixty to eighty percent should be supplied to your flowers.
Keeping Them in The Correct Sunlight That is Required
Place your orchids in a sunny area, which is usually a southward windowsill. If you put your plants in these types of places it should provide an adequate amount of light to them. All you need to pay attention to is the temperature where your flowers are residing. Keeping the temperature between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal range for thriving blossoms.
You will also need to make sure the temperature does not dip below 60 degrees at night. If the temperature is expected to be below 60 degrees then you will have to bring in your plant right away. A temperature too low will seriously harm or even damage your orchids.
Keep The Watering Needs at Proper Levels
Watering your Phalaenopsis orchids is something that you need to perform correctly as you do with other flowers. A dried out plant is not healthy as well as an over-watered one either. What many people don't know is that drying out the medium in which the plant resides can be healthier than having an over-watered soil. Once the soil inside of the pot has dried this is a good indication that it is time to water your plants. During the colder months you will not have to water your orchids as often as you would during the warm humid seasons.
With these simple techniques you will be able to correctly grow healthy and thriving flowers. Just pay attention to the small details of growing these plants and give it the proper care that it needs and you will see a difference in the health and vitality of your plants.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Caring For Orchids: Simplified for The Beginner Enthusiast
Many people don't understand how to take care of orchids and therefore assume that maintaining them is very complicated and only professional should grow them. This is an unfortunate falsehood and should not be taken seriously, because the fact is they are simple plants that need the precise conditions for vibrant blossoms.
I am going to show you in this short post how you too can have vibrant and colorful blooms with some simple tips and tricks you can use today. Caring for them is easy as 1-2-3! Learn these secret tips and find out how simple it is to grow them in your own home or office.
What You Need To Know in Order To Keep The Soil Moist
Watering is the number one problem or difficulty when it comes to properly cultivating them. It is really simple to water orchids, but the problem lies within not having the correct information to water them properly. Anybody can water a plant it's just how much water should you give your plants. There is a simple rule of thumb that you should use when watering them that you should know. First weigh your plant before watering it and after the medium has dried out.
Once you mark down the weight of the plant then you can water your flower making sure that it gets a good soaking, but you don't have to drown it. Once you have soaked it really good, then you will need to weigh it again and write down the weight. Now you will know the next time your orchid needs to be watered. If your plant loses some weight, then you need to water it. If the weight is the same then you can wait on watering your flower.
Fertilizer Will Enhance The Blossoms and Beauty of Your Plant
Fertilizing your orchids is another factor of growing beautiful blooms. So many times do I hear of stories about gardeners using too much fertilizer or not using enough and it ends up damaging their plant. Fertilizer should only be used when your plants are showing signs of mineral deficiency. There are three main macro-nutrients that you need to know about. These include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These three are the most important nutrients that you can find in all fertilizers represented as N-P-K.
For example nitrogen should be used if your leaves are showing signs of yellowing as nitrogen will create greener leaves. Phosphorous is best used during transplanting or mounting them from a pot to a tree or other natural object. Potassium should only be used sparingly as it's not as important as the others when caring for orchids.
As you can see with these simple tips that you should implement when trying to easily care for them. Alll you need is the information contained within this article and everything will work out perfectly.
I am going to show you in this short post how you too can have vibrant and colorful blooms with some simple tips and tricks you can use today. Caring for them is easy as 1-2-3! Learn these secret tips and find out how simple it is to grow them in your own home or office.
What You Need To Know in Order To Keep The Soil Moist
Watering is the number one problem or difficulty when it comes to properly cultivating them. It is really simple to water orchids, but the problem lies within not having the correct information to water them properly. Anybody can water a plant it's just how much water should you give your plants. There is a simple rule of thumb that you should use when watering them that you should know. First weigh your plant before watering it and after the medium has dried out.
Once you mark down the weight of the plant then you can water your flower making sure that it gets a good soaking, but you don't have to drown it. Once you have soaked it really good, then you will need to weigh it again and write down the weight. Now you will know the next time your orchid needs to be watered. If your plant loses some weight, then you need to water it. If the weight is the same then you can wait on watering your flower.
Fertilizer Will Enhance The Blossoms and Beauty of Your Plant
Fertilizing your orchids is another factor of growing beautiful blooms. So many times do I hear of stories about gardeners using too much fertilizer or not using enough and it ends up damaging their plant. Fertilizer should only be used when your plants are showing signs of mineral deficiency. There are three main macro-nutrients that you need to know about. These include nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These three are the most important nutrients that you can find in all fertilizers represented as N-P-K.
For example nitrogen should be used if your leaves are showing signs of yellowing as nitrogen will create greener leaves. Phosphorous is best used during transplanting or mounting them from a pot to a tree or other natural object. Potassium should only be used sparingly as it's not as important as the others when caring for orchids.
As you can see with these simple tips that you should implement when trying to easily care for them. Alll you need is the information contained within this article and everything will work out perfectly.
Monday, June 21, 2010
A Few Types Of Orchids You Should Know About
Now that you have decided on growing orchids it’s time that you learn about a few different types that are easy to grow and care for. If you are a beginner at this fun and exciting hobby, then you will have to learn about the kinds of plants that are best for amateur growing enthusiasts. In this post I will discuss a few orchids that are great for beginners and should be one of the first ones to grow especially if you are new to growing these flowers.
Looking At Oncidiums for Bright Blossoms
One of the first flowers you can choose that will brighten your home are Oncidiums. There is not much to growing oncidium plants and you do not need anything special to successfully care for them. The most important element for these types is an abundance of sunlight or artificial light. The basics of these orchids are very easy to learn and can be easily found in any orchid garden store or greenhouse. With the right care methods you can easily get these plants to bloom at least twice per year.
A Quick Producing Plant That Will Benefit You
Another type of orchid that is easy to plant is the comnara wildcat. With very little effort towards this plant it will give you beautiful flowers that will last over three months. That’s right when these flowers bloom they will give you an amazing fragrance and beauty in your home for over three months. Because you don’t need to care for them as much as you would any others it is great for any beginner grower.
Phragmipediums are a Unique Flower to Consider
Other types of orchids best for beginners include Phragmipediums. Although this is a very rare flower it really is amazingly easy to plant with a couple of tips that you can use today. For example they need much light just as the Oncidium orchid does. They will also need some special fertilizer as well as special watering needs and can be found in most resources where you can purchase them.
The Most Common Types Selected by Beginners
One of the most popular beginner types are phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum flowers. You can find these flowers in almost any greenhouse because they are the most popular and easiest to care for. You will not need a special environment for them because they will likely bloom in any habitat that you provide it. As long as you put this flower on a windowsill that receives sunlight they will give you beautiful blooms every single year.
All you need is the right information and you can grow beautiful and magnificent orchids all year round. These are just a few types of plants that I thought you should know about. They are really the best and easiest ones to care for because they don’t need much effort.
Looking At Oncidiums for Bright Blossoms
One of the first flowers you can choose that will brighten your home are Oncidiums. There is not much to growing oncidium plants and you do not need anything special to successfully care for them. The most important element for these types is an abundance of sunlight or artificial light. The basics of these orchids are very easy to learn and can be easily found in any orchid garden store or greenhouse. With the right care methods you can easily get these plants to bloom at least twice per year.
A Quick Producing Plant That Will Benefit You
Another type of orchid that is easy to plant is the comnara wildcat. With very little effort towards this plant it will give you beautiful flowers that will last over three months. That’s right when these flowers bloom they will give you an amazing fragrance and beauty in your home for over three months. Because you don’t need to care for them as much as you would any others it is great for any beginner grower.
Phragmipediums are a Unique Flower to Consider
Other types of orchids best for beginners include Phragmipediums. Although this is a very rare flower it really is amazingly easy to plant with a couple of tips that you can use today. For example they need much light just as the Oncidium orchid does. They will also need some special fertilizer as well as special watering needs and can be found in most resources where you can purchase them.
The Most Common Types Selected by Beginners
One of the most popular beginner types are phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum flowers. You can find these flowers in almost any greenhouse because they are the most popular and easiest to care for. You will not need a special environment for them because they will likely bloom in any habitat that you provide it. As long as you put this flower on a windowsill that receives sunlight they will give you beautiful blooms every single year.
All you need is the right information and you can grow beautiful and magnificent orchids all year round. These are just a few types of plants that I thought you should know about. They are really the best and easiest ones to care for because they don’t need much effort.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Some More Orchid Care Tips
I don't think there is a such thing as too much information. The more knowledge you have about orchid care the better your results will be. I want to discuss just a few tips about growing them including proper soil, watering, and the correct amount of light.
These three aspects are some of the most important steps to growing beautiful flowers. If you do not perform these steps correctly you can end up having a garden full of dead plants. Lets discover these simple tips and find out how to perform each step precisely.
The Orchid Medium
Many times I have seen orchid enthusiasts showing off their orchids only to find that they have planted them in normal potting soil. What they don't know is that their plants will not last very long in this type of soil because it is not made for orchid plants. If you want to grow them you will have to purchase special mix or soils that can be easily found in most garden stores or hardware stores that have a garden section.
These mixes are best for beginners and can be quite valuable when planting these beautiful flowers. Fir bark, sphagnum moss, osmunda fiber, and even coconut husks are other solutions for proper mediums. Use any of these methods and you can save yourself some time caring for orchids.
Orchid Light
Light is another essential ingredient in the production of magnificent orchids. Without the correct light requirements your orchid flowers are destined to die. For proper orchid care you will need to provide your orchid with enough sunlight or artificial light. You can do both, but it is recommended to choose one option. For example you can use artificial lights for during the cold, dry, winter months. While using sunlight during the summer will provide your orchid with the perfect amount of sunlight.
Watering Orchids Perfectly
Now let's talk about how to water your plants thoroughly. Believe it or not watering is actually one of the easiest tasks that an enthusiast can do. One of the easiest methods that many people do is they allow the medium to dry out, then they will begin watering their flowers before it starts to wilt from lack of moisture.
The dry out method is very straightforward and can be used pretty much every single day, depending on the season and the temperature in the room. This is the easiest method but you must be very careful not to over water your orchids. It is better to dry them out rather than having too much water contained within the soil. The water will create a condition that is conducive to fungal infections and even bacterial wilts and viruses.
These three aspects are some of the most important steps to growing beautiful flowers. If you do not perform these steps correctly you can end up having a garden full of dead plants. Lets discover these simple tips and find out how to perform each step precisely.
The Orchid Medium
Many times I have seen orchid enthusiasts showing off their orchids only to find that they have planted them in normal potting soil. What they don't know is that their plants will not last very long in this type of soil because it is not made for orchid plants. If you want to grow them you will have to purchase special mix or soils that can be easily found in most garden stores or hardware stores that have a garden section.
These mixes are best for beginners and can be quite valuable when planting these beautiful flowers. Fir bark, sphagnum moss, osmunda fiber, and even coconut husks are other solutions for proper mediums. Use any of these methods and you can save yourself some time caring for orchids.
Orchid Light
Light is another essential ingredient in the production of magnificent orchids. Without the correct light requirements your orchid flowers are destined to die. For proper orchid care you will need to provide your orchid with enough sunlight or artificial light. You can do both, but it is recommended to choose one option. For example you can use artificial lights for during the cold, dry, winter months. While using sunlight during the summer will provide your orchid with the perfect amount of sunlight.
Watering Orchids Perfectly
Now let's talk about how to water your plants thoroughly. Believe it or not watering is actually one of the easiest tasks that an enthusiast can do. One of the easiest methods that many people do is they allow the medium to dry out, then they will begin watering their flowers before it starts to wilt from lack of moisture.
The dry out method is very straightforward and can be used pretty much every single day, depending on the season and the temperature in the room. This is the easiest method but you must be very careful not to over water your orchids. It is better to dry them out rather than having too much water contained within the soil. The water will create a condition that is conducive to fungal infections and even bacterial wilts and viruses.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
How To Take Care Of Orchids With These Three Techniques
What a beautiful and delicate flower orchids are. Can anyone grow their own flower or should that be left to professional gardeners? The short answer is YES anyone can learn how to take care of these beautiful plants just by learning a few tips and tricks about growing and caring for orchid plants. In this post I will show you just a few tips that will help in properly caring for these amazing flowers. Discover how to take care of them with these three easy and simple tasks.
Task #1 Humidity
As many enthusiasts know that they are very moisture hungry organisms that will need enough humidity to thrive properly. The humidity level in your greenhouse if you have one or on the windowsill should be at least 60%. They thrive in plenty of moisture and can actually have up to 80% humidity in their environment. You can purchase a device called a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home, greenhouse, or wherever you happen to be growing these flowers.
Normally the summer months will supply them with the correct amount of humidity required for optimum growth. The winter months is when you need to worry about humidity levels. Place a tray underneath your plants that is filled with water and gravel. Place them on the tray making sure it doesn't touch the water. This will give your flowers adequate amount of moisture for proper growth. If you don't like this idea then you can always purchase yourself a humidifier to provide them a more accurate amount of humidity.
Tip #2 Temperature
They are very sensitive when it comes to the proper temperature you keep the room or greenhouse at. There are three classes of orchid temperatures: medium, cool, and warm classes. This seems pretty simple doesn't it? Cool temperature plants will tolerate temperatures from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but not any lower than this. Keep the medium class types at around 60 to 70 degrees. The warm class ones should be at least 70 degrees but not any higher than 80 degrees. Once you find out what class your flower is then you can find out the proper temperature you should keep the room at.
Tip #3 Fertilizer
Not many orchid growers think twice about using fertilizer for their flowers. It is important to use fertilizers for proper growth. They are not very critical to these plants, but they might be need down the road when your flowers have used up all the nutrients from its pot. If you do need to use a fertilizer for your plants you should apply a combination of 10-10-10. This means you should use 10% of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
Learning how to take care of orchids is really quite simple when you are given precise instructions. By discovering tips here and there you will be able to grow awesome looking flowers that everybody will look at. Now that you know the secrets to producing blossoms it's time for you to start your new hobby today.
Task #1 Humidity
As many enthusiasts know that they are very moisture hungry organisms that will need enough humidity to thrive properly. The humidity level in your greenhouse if you have one or on the windowsill should be at least 60%. They thrive in plenty of moisture and can actually have up to 80% humidity in their environment. You can purchase a device called a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home, greenhouse, or wherever you happen to be growing these flowers.
Normally the summer months will supply them with the correct amount of humidity required for optimum growth. The winter months is when you need to worry about humidity levels. Place a tray underneath your plants that is filled with water and gravel. Place them on the tray making sure it doesn't touch the water. This will give your flowers adequate amount of moisture for proper growth. If you don't like this idea then you can always purchase yourself a humidifier to provide them a more accurate amount of humidity.
Tip #2 Temperature
They are very sensitive when it comes to the proper temperature you keep the room or greenhouse at. There are three classes of orchid temperatures: medium, cool, and warm classes. This seems pretty simple doesn't it? Cool temperature plants will tolerate temperatures from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but not any lower than this. Keep the medium class types at around 60 to 70 degrees. The warm class ones should be at least 70 degrees but not any higher than 80 degrees. Once you find out what class your flower is then you can find out the proper temperature you should keep the room at.
Tip #3 Fertilizer
Not many orchid growers think twice about using fertilizer for their flowers. It is important to use fertilizers for proper growth. They are not very critical to these plants, but they might be need down the road when your flowers have used up all the nutrients from its pot. If you do need to use a fertilizer for your plants you should apply a combination of 10-10-10. This means you should use 10% of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
Learning how to take care of orchids is really quite simple when you are given precise instructions. By discovering tips here and there you will be able to grow awesome looking flowers that everybody will look at. Now that you know the secrets to producing blossoms it's time for you to start your new hobby today.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Using Proper Orchid Light For Magnificent Looking Blossoms
Orchids are very sensitive plants especially when it comes to the amount of sunlight it needs. Some of them can tolerate much more sunlight than others, but most plants prefer to have filtered light rather than direct sunlight of any kind. First of all the sun can seriously damage the leaves of your flowers and may result in an plant not flowering correctly. That is why it is really important to supply them with the correct amount of light that is required for optimum growth.
Filtered Sunlight is Always the Best For These Plants
The sun's rays should always be filtered when using it for growing orchids. The amount of sun that is required usually depends on the type that you have selected to grow. As a general rule for most of them, I would recommend giving your plants at least eight hours of sunshine per day. Remember if you are using the sun you should try to dilute it before it reaches your flowers.
Many people place them on windowsills and then place a curtain in front of their plants to simulate filtered sunlight. You can leave your flowers in the sun for up to 12 hours especially if you have long summer months. Just make sure that your orchids get some rest.
Using Fluorescent Lights Can Be an Excellent Substitute
Artificial light is another great way to provide the correct amount of light to your plants. This is especially useful during long winter months where the sun isn't as strong and does stay out very long. If you live in a region that has long winter months then I would recommend purchasing one of these lights. The best type of orchid light you should use is fluorescent.
Fluorescent fixtures allow your orchid to grow much faster and the light will not burn the leaves. Incandescent light bulbs can burn your leaves and that is why I wouldn't recommend these types of lights. Although they are cheaper they are not worth the cost of your plant if they happen to get burned. Stick with fluorescent because they will pay off in the end.
By now you should have your orchid in your home or office and have decided where you should put your flowers. Give them the right amount of light and they will reward you with many blooms during the year and for many years later. Have a great time with these amazing and colorful flowers today!
Filtered Sunlight is Always the Best For These Plants
The sun's rays should always be filtered when using it for growing orchids. The amount of sun that is required usually depends on the type that you have selected to grow. As a general rule for most of them, I would recommend giving your plants at least eight hours of sunshine per day. Remember if you are using the sun you should try to dilute it before it reaches your flowers.
Many people place them on windowsills and then place a curtain in front of their plants to simulate filtered sunlight. You can leave your flowers in the sun for up to 12 hours especially if you have long summer months. Just make sure that your orchids get some rest.
Using Fluorescent Lights Can Be an Excellent Substitute
Artificial light is another great way to provide the correct amount of light to your plants. This is especially useful during long winter months where the sun isn't as strong and does stay out very long. If you live in a region that has long winter months then I would recommend purchasing one of these lights. The best type of orchid light you should use is fluorescent.
Fluorescent fixtures allow your orchid to grow much faster and the light will not burn the leaves. Incandescent light bulbs can burn your leaves and that is why I wouldn't recommend these types of lights. Although they are cheaper they are not worth the cost of your plant if they happen to get burned. Stick with fluorescent because they will pay off in the end.
By now you should have your orchid in your home or office and have decided where you should put your flowers. Give them the right amount of light and they will reward you with many blooms during the year and for many years later. Have a great time with these amazing and colorful flowers today!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Orchid Care Tips: Where Can You Grow Orchids?
When people think of orchids they usually think they can only be grown by the pros and not by a typical enthusiast. Not only can anyone grow these flowers, but they can grow them quickly and easily with just a little bit of knowledge. In this post I want to give you a few simple tips on orchid care and where the best places are to grow them.
Using The Sun for all Your Plants
If you want to grow them in your home you need to have a place that gets at least eight hours of sunlight. For example one place that many people prefer to place their plant is in a windowsill. A window on the south side of your house or apartment is the best place to grow them.
You don't want to give any of them too much continuous sunlight. Although they need sunlight to grow, too much sunlight can actually harm many of them if you are not too careful. It's pretty easy to avoid your flowers from getting sun burn. All you need to do is to place a transparent piece of cloth such as a curtain. This should allow enough light for your plants to flower correctly.
Growing Them Outdoors Can be a Great Advantage Too
You don't have to grow these plants in your home if you don't want to. You can always grow your orchids outdoors especially if you live in the proper climate to do so. They are naturally found in very humid climates and they love lots of moisture. If you live in an area that has very moist air then you can grow your orchids outside in your backyard.
The great thing about these plants is that they attach themselves to trees, rocks, and other objects in their local environment. Even if you don't live in a humid climate you can still grow them outside. You will have to make sure that when winter comes around you should bring in all your plants. If you leave them outside they will die from the very cold air instantly.
These are just a few places that you can grow orchids. In either location you can grow beautiful and magnificent flowers with long lasting blooms.
Using The Sun for all Your Plants
If you want to grow them in your home you need to have a place that gets at least eight hours of sunlight. For example one place that many people prefer to place their plant is in a windowsill. A window on the south side of your house or apartment is the best place to grow them.
You don't want to give any of them too much continuous sunlight. Although they need sunlight to grow, too much sunlight can actually harm many of them if you are not too careful. It's pretty easy to avoid your flowers from getting sun burn. All you need to do is to place a transparent piece of cloth such as a curtain. This should allow enough light for your plants to flower correctly.
Growing Them Outdoors Can be a Great Advantage Too
You don't have to grow these plants in your home if you don't want to. You can always grow your orchids outdoors especially if you live in the proper climate to do so. They are naturally found in very humid climates and they love lots of moisture. If you live in an area that has very moist air then you can grow your orchids outside in your backyard.
The great thing about these plants is that they attach themselves to trees, rocks, and other objects in their local environment. Even if you don't live in a humid climate you can still grow them outside. You will have to make sure that when winter comes around you should bring in all your plants. If you leave them outside they will die from the very cold air instantly.
These are just a few places that you can grow orchids. In either location you can grow beautiful and magnificent flowers with long lasting blooms.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tips about Pruning Orchids
Pruning can be easily accomplished with some quick and simple tips. This technique is not very difficult, but it does require some patience and a sharp eye. You will need to know when to properly cut them and how exactly you can start doing this. Let's discuss the simple pruning procedure.
How The Exact Process Begins
After they have bloomed for about a month or so, it will be time to start trimming your flowers. The reason we cut them is to encourage brand new plant growth. This will allow our flowers to continue to bloom for years. You will want to prune your flowers as soon as the heads die and fall off of the plant. While the stem of the plant no longer has a flower this is the perfect time for starting this process.
What is Involved With This Task?
Trimming the plant actually involves cutting the stem of the plant which will then give your flower a chance to start growing new leaves and then eventually into a brand new flower. That is why it is important to wait for the flower to die because your plant has given all its energy into the flower. By waiting for the bloom to fall it will now give all its energy into the new shoots that emerge from your plants.
Using The Tools That are Useful for This Job
When it comes to pruning you will want to use the proper tools for performing this simple procedure. Pruning shears are one of the best tools to use for this process and is a tool that I recommend using. You can wear gloves when trimming them, but it is not essential that you do because you are only cutting the stalk of your plants. Once you have your tools ready it's time to cut your plants.
Some Special Cutting May be Required
Not all orchid plants are cut the same, but most of them will need to be trimmed a certain length for optimum plant growth. Cutting the stalk about halfway is a good guideline to follow and will result in healthier flowers later on. Some flowers such as the Phalaenopsis types need to be cut down to the second node. You don't want to get any lower than that otherwise your plant may die. That is why when trimming them you need to make sure that you can see where you are removing before you make the cut.
How The Exact Process Begins
After they have bloomed for about a month or so, it will be time to start trimming your flowers. The reason we cut them is to encourage brand new plant growth. This will allow our flowers to continue to bloom for years. You will want to prune your flowers as soon as the heads die and fall off of the plant. While the stem of the plant no longer has a flower this is the perfect time for starting this process.
What is Involved With This Task?
Trimming the plant actually involves cutting the stem of the plant which will then give your flower a chance to start growing new leaves and then eventually into a brand new flower. That is why it is important to wait for the flower to die because your plant has given all its energy into the flower. By waiting for the bloom to fall it will now give all its energy into the new shoots that emerge from your plants.
Using The Tools That are Useful for This Job
When it comes to pruning you will want to use the proper tools for performing this simple procedure. Pruning shears are one of the best tools to use for this process and is a tool that I recommend using. You can wear gloves when trimming them, but it is not essential that you do because you are only cutting the stalk of your plants. Once you have your tools ready it's time to cut your plants.
Some Special Cutting May be Required
Not all orchid plants are cut the same, but most of them will need to be trimmed a certain length for optimum plant growth. Cutting the stalk about halfway is a good guideline to follow and will result in healthier flowers later on. Some flowers such as the Phalaenopsis types need to be cut down to the second node. You don't want to get any lower than that otherwise your plant may die. That is why when trimming them you need to make sure that you can see where you are removing before you make the cut.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Simple Orchid Information You Need to Consider Before Purchasing One of These Flowers
In this small detailed post I want to share with you just one simple tip for proper orchid care and for healthier and happier orchid plants. If you really want to have magnificent orchids then you need to read the rest of this post in order to get these secret orchid care tips that you can implement right away.
Choosing The Perfect Orchid To Grow
I think this is one of the best orchid tips that every orchid enthusiast needs to learn. If you pick an orchid that is not suited for your climate or you don't want to care for this particular orchid then you are not going to have any fun caring for your plants and you might just give up growing flowers altogether. Some questions that you ask yourself before purchasing an orchid is:
1. What type of climate do I live in? (temperate, tropical, or cold climates)
2. Do I want to spend the majority of my time caring for my orchid or do I want something that is simple to take care of? (all orchids are simple to care for, but there are different types of orchids that are easier than others to care for such as moth orchids and lady slippers.
3. How much do I want to spend on my orchid plant and supplies for creating the perfect orchid environment? (this could include purchasing a humidifier, orchid medium, fertilizer, extra pots and more.
These are some general questions that you should ask yourself before purchasing an orchid because all these answers will affect what type that you will be ending up buying.
Choosing The Perfect Orchid To Grow
I think this is one of the best orchid tips that every orchid enthusiast needs to learn. If you pick an orchid that is not suited for your climate or you don't want to care for this particular orchid then you are not going to have any fun caring for your plants and you might just give up growing flowers altogether. Some questions that you ask yourself before purchasing an orchid is:
1. What type of climate do I live in? (temperate, tropical, or cold climates)
2. Do I want to spend the majority of my time caring for my orchid or do I want something that is simple to take care of? (all orchids are simple to care for, but there are different types of orchids that are easier than others to care for such as moth orchids and lady slippers.
3. How much do I want to spend on my orchid plant and supplies for creating the perfect orchid environment? (this could include purchasing a humidifier, orchid medium, fertilizer, extra pots and more.
These are some general questions that you should ask yourself before purchasing an orchid because all these answers will affect what type that you will be ending up buying.
Welcome To My New Orchid Care Blog
Welcome, and I want to thank you for visiting my new orchid care blog that I have put together for all the orchid enthusiasts out there. If you are interested in orchids and want to learn everything there is to know about these beautiful flowers then you have come to the right website.
My name is Carl Harrison and I am an orchid enthusiast. I am so passionate and enthusiastic about growing orchids that I decided to create a website about them and share all my knowledge with others. I want to share with everything that I have researched about orchids and there amazing ability to grow in anyone's home, office, or garden. I hope you enjoy my orchid blog and will visit often.
Carl Harrison
My name is Carl Harrison and I am an orchid enthusiast. I am so passionate and enthusiastic about growing orchids that I decided to create a website about them and share all my knowledge with others. I want to share with everything that I have researched about orchids and there amazing ability to grow in anyone's home, office, or garden. I hope you enjoy my orchid blog and will visit often.
Carl Harrison
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