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Friday, July 30, 2010

Hawaii Orchids That are Naturally Grown on These Islands

One of the best places to visit if you are an avid orchid grower or you just love the beauty of these plants then you need to visit Hawaii. These are some of the best flowers in the world because the island contains the perfect climate for them to grow and thrive properly. Although they are beautiful only three types are naturally grown here.

The First in a Long Line of Exotic Flowers

The first Hawaii orchid is called Liparis Hawaiensis. You can normally find these plants mainly in the rain forests on the islands. These actually are found particularly attached to these trees. They get their nutrients from the trees, but are not considered parasites because they will not take nutrients from the tree it’s attached to. These flowers are not the usual ones you find in many greenhouses. The blooms are much smaller than other species, but are still beautiful green colored blossoms.

Jewel Orchids Can be a Great Way to Brighten Your Day

The next type we will discuss is Anoectochilus sandvicensis. Although the name may not be familiar I’m sure that you have heard of a jewel orchid which is the common name they are given among most enthusiasts. These are the most common species you will find in the natural habitat in Hawaii. If you want to check out these beautiful jewel types you can always take a walk through the forests at around 1000-5000 feet.

The Last One You Need to Understand

The last one that you should understand and learn about is Platanthera Holochila. They are sometimes called the fringed orchid because of the shape of the flower. Now, this is one of the rarest types of orchids you can find anywhere in the world. It actually reached the endangered species list because that’s how rare they are. So if you wanted to grow one of these you might as well look for a different type of flower to grow. Greenish and yellow in bloom colors and can be found in high moisture settings like a swamp or a bog.

These are just some types of natural Hawaiian orchids that you can find when you first visit these islands. They are mostly rare, but if you are lucky you may be able to find jewel ones at your local greenhouse or nursery if you search for them.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Simple Orchid Growing Basics You Can Use For Producing Amazing Blossoms

In the natural habitat of orchids these flowers flourish successfully and beautifully. But the truth is that many enthusiasts tend to be very nervous when planting these exotic plants. The reality is that with the proper growing basics anybody can become successful at cultivating these magnificent flowers.

It doesn’t take much time to grow them and it involves very little work, but many people think because they are grown in tropical climates that you can’t grow them in a temperate climate. Here is a short post that you may find useful because it describes just some of the basics you will need to have thriving plants.

Growing These Plants Indoors Vs. Outdoors

First of all you need to decide whether you want them to be grown indoors or outdoors. Some people actually have been known to grow them in proper greenhouses as well as on the bark of trees. In their natural habitat they are normally found on trees, rocks, and other organic materials. You can easily grow them in your home or office with just a little knowledge.

Fluorescent Lights and Sunlight Work Best

When growing orchids indoors you must find the best spot for them in order for them to grow and bloom properly. Supplying your flowers with the right amount of light is crucial because they do not like any type of bright sunlight. Sunburn or sun-scald as it’s called on these flowers could be apparent on your plants if you don’t have filtered sunlight.


If you can’t filter the sunlight then you can always use fluorescent lights to grow them as well. Incandescent lights are no good because they can serious burn and damage your plant and its leaves. Make sure when using lights that you use fluorescent lights.

Temperatures Need To Stay at a Constant Range for Success

Keep the temperature in your house or the place you are growing them at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Orchids can sometimes withstand 50 degree temperatures, but by keeping it at 60 degrees you avoid having to worry about killing your plant because of cold temperatures. Humidity may also be added to provide the correct habitat for them. Try using a humidifier to add the correct amount of humidity to your plants. Using a hydrometer you can easily get the humidity in the habitat to 60-80%. This will ensure proper orchid growth.

These are just some orchid growing basics that you need to know if you really want beautiful blossoms. Using these tips can definitely increase the growth and health of your plants.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Simple Tips For Growing Orchids Successfully

When it comes to growing orchids there is some basic knowledge you should know before planting these exotic flowers. The three important elements to having productive flowers are sunlight, humidity, and temperature. By knowing how to use these basic elements you will be able to grow amazingly happy and healthy plants starting immediately.

The Amount of Light Every Orchid Needs

The first thing I will discuss when cultivating these plants is using the proper amount of sunlight for your orchid plants. Light is important for green leaves and beautiful blooms. You need to give them the correct amount of sunlight that is needed to achieve this. Direct sunlight is not healthy for them and you will need to supply them with filtered sunlight or use fluorescent lights. You can filter the sunlight by placing a transparent cloth in front of your plants to protect them from the strong light.

Temperature is Quite Simple To Maintain With These Tips

The Next element needed for proper orchid growth is temperature. Temperature changes beween the different types you eventually decide to grow, but all species have a minimum and maximum temperature that you must keep in mind. The minimum temperature for any orchid is fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the maximum temperature for them is eighty degrees Fahrenheit. When growing these plants you need to make sure that your flowers are not exposed to these extreme temperatures.

Creating Moisture in The Air for Your Flowers

Humidity is needed to simulate their natural growing environment. Although not all climates have the proper amount of humidity needed for all types of flowers. They require at least 60-80% humidity for blooming flowers. You can easily get these conditions by using a simple humidifier that can be purchased in any hardware store.

Use these tips when growing orchids and you will have beautiful blossoms that will bring you all the beauty that you need in your home.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Greenhouse Orchids That are Perfect for Growing Indoors

The best thing about having your own greenhouse is that you can grow your favorite orchids much earlier than you would if you didn’t have one of these. With a well built building you can easily simulate the natural climate of any plant that you plan on growing. Even if you have one of these there are some guidelines that you should follow as well as some basic tips that you should not neglect.

Using a Proper Housing for All Your Flowers

When it comes to growing greenhouse orchids most plants like to have filtered sunlight and can easily burn if it is placed directly in the sunlight. That is why most people place a curtain or cloth in front of their plants in order to filter the sunlight slightly and provide the proper environment. If you are growing them indoors it is important to provide some shade for your flowers throughout the day in order for them to grow correctly.

How To Grow Them in Cooler Conditions

Some climates will require a heater especially if you want to grow greenhouse orchids all year round in cold conditions. If you live in cooler climates then you are going to need a way to keep it at the proper temperature otherwise your plants will surely die. You can purchase a heater from any home improvement store such as home depot or any other store.

Using an Outdoor Heater to Keep The Temperature in Your Greenhouse Optimal

An outdoor heater is probably what you will need if you have a large one. If you happen to have a small type then you can get away with using an indoor heater for them. Make sure not to let the temperature drop below 50 degrees because you are risking their life if the temperature gets too low.

Humidity is Something That You Cannot Ignore

As you know orchids love humidity and they need lots of it if you want them to thrive. Greenhouses usually will have enough humidity to supply them, but if it happens to need more you can always use a humidifier to add more to the environment.

There is not much to growing orchids in a greenhouse as it is relatively the same as growing them in your house. These tips should help you grow beautiful blooms within any indoor environment whether it’s small or a very large one.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Orchid Mounting Techniques That Maximizes Flower Growth

Orchid mounting can seem pretty difficult because there are not many enthusiasts that like to perform this process. Although there are not many people doing this, it is possible to properly attach them to trees, rocks, and other natural objects.

In their natural habitat it is not common to find one of these plants growing on the side of a tree or a rock. They actually don’t use the nutrients from the tree and are able to collect all the nutrients it needs from the ground. In this post I am going to explain the process to properly mounting your orchids.

Using The Exact Materials Needed to Complete This Process

Before going straight into this procedure you will need to have the proper materials in order to get them to thrive and flourish. It is recommended to use organic materials such as tree bark, wooden boards, and many other types of materials.

The Precise Instructions for Successful Mounting of These Plants

Now let’s get into the process of mounting orchids. First you need to take your material that you plan to use and leave it in a bucket of water for usually 12 hours or overnight. This will ensure that they will be grown in a habitat that is similar to its natural environment. Simulating their climate will bring you many more colorful blooms and will be worth it in the end.

Attaching Your Plants Using These Tips

The next thing you need to do is to attach your orchid to the soaked material that you are using. You need to tie it with either fishing line or a strong type of string which will not break while your flower is mounting its roots to the organic material. Keep the fishing line tight otherwise it could end up falling off the material, but keep them loose enough to keep proper aeration between your plants.

Once the roots have anchored itself to the tree fern or wooden boards you can now remove the fishing line from your plants. To make sure that they have been inserted correctly you could move your orchid back and forth. This will ensure that the process has been performed correctly and successfully.

How You Can Easily Water Your Flowers

Watering your them is essential for proper growth and you need to know how to perform this process correctly. The roots will dry out very quickly because the roots are exposed to the elements as well as the hot weather which can dry up the roots of your orchids quickly. Once a day or every other day should be enough for your flowers to live.

These are just some simple tips for mounting these plants. These techniques can be easily used with any species and can be very easy if the correct knowledge is in your hands.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

How To Successfuly Begin Growing Orchids Indoors

Growing orchids indoors is much easier to accomplish than what many people actually think it is. Planting beautiful flowers in your own home is an enthusiast’s ultimate goal and it can easily be done with just a little bit of correct information and knowledge. That’s what this post is about; successfully cultivating these flowers in order to produce amazing blossoms. Here are just a few things that you need to know when planting orchids indoors.

The Best Types Made for This Job

When it comes to indoor orchids there are a few that are the best for this job. Almost all of them can be grown inside, but there are a few that are made for this purpose. First of all moth orchids are one of the best to grow in your home because of their variety of colors and beautiful blooms.

You can even grow Lady Slippers indoors as well. These are just two of the best ones you should try out for yourself. Just remember that almost any type can be easily cultivated inside, but they must have the right conditions in order for them to thrive.

Best Places To Setup a Habitat for Your Flowers

First of all you need to determine the best place to produce the results you are looking for. You need to find a spot such as a window sill, usually one that is facing the south side as this is where the sun is at its strongest, but you need to make sure it is not direct sunlight. Since you don’t want to burn your plants you will need to filter out some of the sunlight especially during the hot summer months when the sun is really bright.

You can place a curtain or a cloth in front of your flowers to give them the right amount of filtered sunlight. If you don’t have a curtain or a cloth you can always place them in direct sunlight in the morning or late in the day and during the daytime you can put it in the shade.

Moisture is One Factor Most People Forget About

Another factor that is critical for these plants is maintaining correct humidity levels. Keeping proper humidity inside of your house or the area of where your flowers are growing is essential for optimum growth. If you give your orchids at least 60-80% humidity in their area this will result in beautiful and colorful blossoms.

During the cold months or when the air is especially dry you will need to add humidity to the air. A humidifier is a good thing to purchase if you want to grow healthy flowers. I would also suggest getting a hygrometer to measure the level of humidity in the air.

These are just a couple of tips that should help you to grow orchids indoors successfully. Remember that with the right information you can easily plant any type of flower and have strong thriving plants.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Cymbidium Orchid Care That is Simple for Anyone to Accomplish

Now it’s time for all of you Cymbidium orchid lovers to read this post because I am going to discuss everything you need to know about caring for these interesting flowers. These plants are not that hard to take care of, but if you don’t have the right knowledge there is no way that you will be able to have healthy plants that will bloom all year round. That is why I decided to write a brief post about them in order for you to understand the simple steps it takes to grow beautiful and colorful flowers.

Take a Look at Some Simple Facts You Should Know

Let’s first of all talk about some simple Cymbidium facts. These flowers are the most widely crossed plants that you can find. What this means is that there are a vast number of hybrids that you can choose from because of the crossbreeding that has been done with these flowers. These beautiful flowers come in a variety of colors as well including red, blue, pink, yellow, and even white.

Lighting and Temperature are Important Factors to Consider

Proper temperature and lighting is very important not just to orchids, but any type of flower. Living in a high humidity environment is beneficial for you because most of them love humidity and flourish in this moist habitat. Although you don’t necessarily need to live in a humid climate you can create your own humidity by using a humidifier which can add moisture into the air.


Cymbidiums are an excellent plant because they can tolerate much cooler temperatures compared to many other orchid species. You should plant them in a temperature of about 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure proper conditions for you flowers. Don’t let the temperature drop below 50 degrees.


You shouldn’t leave your flowers in direct sunlight as this is very dangerous for any orchid and could cause much harm to the leaves and flower. It’s much better to place them on a windowsill with some type of filter in front of your plant. For example you can place a curtain in front of them and this will act as a filter for your plant and will not be direct sunlight. If you have a south facing window this would be ideal.

Watering Can Easily be Completed With This Simple Procedure

Proper watering is also another essential factor of Cymbidium care. The ideal way of watering the soil medium is to make sure you keep it moist. Having too much is more harmful for your plant than having not enough. Both of these conditions you want to avoid, but under-watering your plant is safer for them than having too much. Having too much water can spread disease, fungus, viruses, bacteria and many other harmful spores.

How Exactly to Fertilize Your Flowers Correctly

Fertilizer should be used for proper care as well. Many people believe that fertilizer will harm their flowers and will never use it. This is not true because at some point the medium will have no more nutrients for your plants and your flowers will crave for more nutrients. This is when you should feed your flowers. Usually after they have bloomed you should feed them a 20-20-20 mixture. This should be adequate for having healthy and thriving flowers.

Cymbidium orchid care is an easy process and you don’t need to be a professional to understand the simplicity of it. Now you can purchase them and start growing them in your home starting right now.

Monday, July 12, 2010

What You Need To Know about Successfully Pruning Orchids

I have found that many people are not that fond of pruning orchids and they believe that they will survive without it. Well unfortunately this is not the case and you will have to do some trimming of these plants. Don't worry though, because this process takes only two seconds as long as you know exactly what you are doing. This post I have made especially for those who are struggling with cutting their flowers and want to learn how easy it can really be for them.

Using The Select Tools That Will Help You Succeed

First you need to have the right tools and equipment before going off and cut your orchids. Pruning shears are the most common tool to use among many enthusiasts and it is the one that I recommend. You don’t need to have shears and you can use your hands to cut your flowers as well. If you use your hands when trimming, then it is important to wear gloves when handling these plants.

Why Pruning is So Important for These Flowers

Remember that performing this task is not that difficult. The reason you need to perform this process is so that you can stimulate new plant growth on the stem of your plants. This is a very important step especially if you want to keep your flowers blooming all year long. With most types of plants you should clip off the flower as soon as it begins to wilt or die. This is a perfect time because your orchid has given most of its energy to the flower and will need to utilize what it has left.

Once you have pruned them you will see some new growth normally on the stem of your plant. You should see some sort of a nob where the new growth will sprout from. I believe as long as you cut the flower off as soon as it dies then you should some new growth within a couple of weeks or so.

Special Instructions for Certain Plants

Some orchids need special instructions when it comes to this simple process. For example Dendrobiums generate new growth from the stem and if you cut the whole stem or too far down, then the plant will most likely die or won’t be able to sustain new growth. So when you embark on this task with these plants make sure that you only cut about halfway down the stem and nothing more.

Vandas are another example of a special pruning flower. When their roots have turned to a black or yellow color it is time to stimulate their growth with some trimming. When you do this with these specific plants you need to make sure that you leave the green alone because this signals a healthy plant and as soon as it’s ready it will generate new growth.

Using This Process for Phalaenopsis

When it comes to Phalaenopsis orchids it is pretty easy. Cut off the flower as soon as it begins to wilt and it should bring you amazing new growth that will last for many years to come. After the season has finished and your flower has begun to shrivel then cut down to at least the second notch or node on the stem. This will allow for proper health of these flowers.

As you can see from this post pruning orchids is a very easy task and can be accomplished in just one minute. Take this information and start trimming all your flowers right away.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

More Orchid Tips On The Way

It has been a little while since I posted some orchid care tips. It's been quite busy especially around Independence Day in the United States. I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July and enjoyed all the festivities.

I just wanted to write a post about what I hope to be discussing in the next couple of months regarding growing, planting, and caring for orchids. So far I have discussed some caring techniques, but I wanted to get into specific orchid caring methods that you should know.

For example I plan on posting more on dendrobium care, phalaenopsis care, paphiopedilum care, some more basic orchid care tips, and so much more. So if you want to know more about caring for orchids and how to properly plant them, then you need to visit this blog often to get all the orchid care tips you will possibly need to grow healthy and strong orchids.

Any way that is all I wanted to talk about in this post. Don't forget to check back for the latest tips and updates on orchid care.