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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Proper Orchid Soil Required For Optimum Growth

One of the biggest and most important elements in growing amazing and beautiful orchids is growing them in the correct soil that is required to stimulate optimum growth. It is a misconception if you think that they are able to thrive in regular potting soil.

What You are Going To Learn from This Post

They are normally found in tropical areas that are covered with many trees and the ground has much organic matter from plants, trees, animals and other natural substances. It makes sense to use the exact type of soil that is used in their natural environment right? That’s what I am going to discuss in this post and how simple it is to find these organic substances and where you can easily obtain them for your new hobby today.

The Best Soils for Optimum Growth

So what orchid soil should you use to start growing beautiful and magnificent blooms? There are two types of materials that are utilized in this process especially when planting these flowers in pots or containers. There are organic materials that can be used for these flowers and there are inorganic types as well.

The organic materials that are used are pretty much the best types of substances that are available for you to use for planting these exotic flowers. Some organic types include materials such as redwood bark, fir bark, sphagnum moss, and coconut husks. These items can be very hard to find separately unless you happen to live in the natural habitat of the orchid flower. The inorganic mixes include lava rock, charcoal, perlite, alifor, and turface.

Make Sure to Get More Rather Than Less

If you would like to use these organic types of materials then I would suggest going to your local garden store or nursery and see if they have the appropriate soil that you can use for your own orchid plants. It is much easier today to go to your local garden center and find a bag of commercially made mixes that have all the materials that are need for maximum growth.


This is by far the easiest way to get the most reliable and healthy medium for your flowers. You can always search around for different types of materials at different locations and I would also ask your local nursery what they use to grow their own orchids as well. They could give you a great idea of where to purchase and find these different types of organic and inorganic materials.

As long as you have the right information on proper soil you should use, then you will be able to have the best plants in your neighborhood. Good luck with your brand new hobby!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Vanda Orchids and Their Secrets

Vanda orchids are very beautiful flowers that you can grow in your home if you have the proper information about these interesting plants. You can find these in parts of Asia and in their native environment of high humidity and warm temperatures.

They are found around rain forests and other areas with the same type of conditions. Because they are only found in Asia they have become very popular among most enthusiasts around the world. They have become one of the most imported orchids that you can find anywhere.

 How These Plants are Naturally Grown in The Wild

Since these Vandas are normally found in their natural habitat you can easily grow them on trees and rocks if you have the information needed. They are naturally mounted on these organic materials because of their dependence on these materials they grow slowly and upward which can make for a great flower to grow in your home.

Even though there are thousands of species available Vandas only have about 50 different types within this genus. You can also find different hybrids that have been crossed with other plants to make them more beautiful and disease resistant. They come in a wide variety of colors that include brown, pink, white, yellow and bluish-purple.

Some Tips You Should Know in Order To Grow Them Indoors Successfully

As stated before they actually don’t grow sideways and they will only grow towards the sky which makes them monopodial plants. If you are preparing to grow orchids indoors then this may be the type that you have been looking for. They can easily adapt to different conditions especially in many pots that you place them in. Some types have been known not to bloom while inside of a pot or inside of your home or office.

Since these varieties will only grow straight up you will need to give this flower some sort of support to keep it upwards. You will need to recreate its habitat such as a tree that you won’t have in your home. Basically you need to replace the tree that it would normally attach to with a support such as a stick that you can place on your pots.

Challenging Yourself With These Plants

If you are an avid enthusiast then you could probably try growing Vanda orchids to give yourself a challenge. If you are new to growing them, then it may not be wise to use these types as your first project. It will take some knowledge and skill to get these plants growing correctly, but it is not out of the question.

Giving your plant much more humidity than other orchids will be required for proper growth. They also will need very bright light every single day, but not for too long. Keeping your flowers in a bright window for just a couple of hours and then put it in the shade for the rest of the day is how you should supply them with the proper amount of light.

This is just some information that is required when growing Vanda orchids. If you try growing these flowers make sure to follow the steps that is necessary for optimum growth.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Water Orchids Correctly and Efficiently

If you want to water orchids properly then I suggest reading this entire article. For beginners it can sometimes be a frightening task if you don’t have all the knowledge you need to precisely moisten the soil. Once you understand how this simple process works and once you start applying it to your garden you will be able to supply them with what they need at any time.

Watering orchids correctly is an important element in the life and health of your plants and you will need to know how to do this in order to have beautiful and flourishing flowers for many years to come. Let’s get into the details of this simple procedure.

Knowing Exactly When it is Time to Dampen Your Flowers

One major difficulty many orchid enthusiasts have trouble with is knowing when to give their flowers moisture. This is a critical task because you don’t want to give it to them too soon and over water them. But you also don’t want to forget about them and have them dry out too quickly. Both these scenarios are harmful to your plants health and well being. You must try to avoid both of these possibilities and make certain that you dampen them when the time is right.

The Exact Process You Need To Use

Here is a simple way to know when it’s time to give your plants moisture. When you first water your plant pick it up and test to see how heavy it is with the pot filled with soil and water. Once you have picked it up and tested its weight you can now wait at least one day before touching it again. Perform the same exact process except this time you will not be giving it a dampening you will instead be testing its weight.

 If it feels like it has lost some weight possibly from the water you added it may need some more. To be perfectly sure that your orchids need more moisture place your finger into the medium and check to see if any moisture has been retained inside the soil. If it feels like there is some moisture in there, then you don’t have to give them anything at this time. You should keep an eye on it since it may need some pretty soon.

Another Solution That Could Help You With This Process

You can also leave the orchid out in warm temperatures allowing the soil to dry out quickly. This solution can be quite strange because you may be afraid to dry out your flower too much. As long as you water them before the leaves start to die or curl then you have done this technique properly.

By allowing the soil to dry you avoid many diseases that can be found in very damp orchid soils that have been given too much. Either technique is a great way to keep your plants healthy. You just need to find what you are most comfortable with and utilize it. Have fun growing these amazing flowers.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

How To Care For Orchids

Do you know how to care for orchids? Well if you don't then you might want to read this short post that I have written. The secret to caring for these plants is to have the knowledge and tools it takes to grow beautiful blooms. These exotic flowers do take some time to get used to and you may need some extra knowledge especially if this is your first time caring for these plants.

After reading this article you will know exactly how to grow and easily care for these plants, and you will be able to cultivate them any time that you desire. They will continue to bloom throughout the years as long as you apply these simple yet effortless techniques right now.

The Important Elements You Must Understand

Knowing the exact process for caring for these flowers is an important element if want to have a beautiful blooming garden, amazing greenhouse, or just want to show off your skills to family and friends. Proper orchid care includes many things such as watering, proper soil, sunlight, temperature, humidity, air movement, and even diseases. This may all seem like much work, but with just a little knowledge of all this becomes a breeze for any beginner enthusiast.

Using The Exact Medium That Best Suits These Flowers

Let’s just discuss one of these techniques so you don’t feel overwhelmed. If you learn one method at a time you will soon be a professional orchid grower! The first thing you should know is using the proper soil or medium. This is the first step in cultivating these flowers and it happens to be the foundation to growing beautiful flowers. If you get this step wrong then you will not have a healthy and vibrant plants.

You need to create an opportunity for yourself and your orchid to be able to bloom. Without the proper medium all your chances of growing them have been tossed out the window. These mediums consist of many different materials that are usually naturally occurring substances found on this planet and are readily available in many different areas.

The Different Types of Material Used In Orchid Mixes

There are organic materials that you can use and are found in most greenhouses and garden stores. There are also inorganic ones which are much harder to find, but can be used if necessary. I prefer to use organic types of materials because they are much easier to find. These organic types include coconut husks, fir bark, sphagnum moss, and osmunda fiber.

Inorganic types include lava rock, alifor, and charcoal. If you go to any garden store you will usually find a small section of specially made mixes that already have the proper materials in them. This is the easiest way to get the proper materials that you need. With the correct medium you now know what it takes to keep these plants thriving and blooming for years to come.

Knowing how to care for orchids is not as complicated as many make it out to be. With the right knowledge you can grow any species that you desire with very little effort.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Understanding The Colors of Your Orchid Leaves

Orchid leaves are what are used to store food for all your plants. They need these leaves in order to flower beautiful blooms and live for many years. Many types shed their leaves as soon as their flower has opened and bloomed. Others however can keep most of the leaves they have for the next season. Although, these older ones will be the first to die once the new season begins.

What Should You Do When Your Leaves are Turning Yellow?

So you’re beginning to see yellow leaves on your plants. What does this mean? Sometimes the older leaves which are usually located at the bottom of the plant tend to turn yellow and die. Other times it could mean you may have a problem with your orchid flowers. Spotted leaves may tell you that a fungus of some kind has infected your flowers and you may need to seek help immediately.

Some Reasons Your Plant Could be Turning Yellow

The health of your orchid can be seen through the leaves of all your plants. Sunlight is also another possible reason for these conditions. As you know orchids do not like bright light and you need to be careful when taking care of these delicate plants. Filtered light is better for them than direct sunshine. This is why you may see spots on your plants because the sun has literally burned your plant.

Avoid Cold Weather at All Costs With These Sensitive Flowers

Cold weather is a killer for pretty much every orchid plant. Not only will your flower die, but the leaves of your orchid will turn yellow as well. It’s not safe to place any of them near windows that often have a cold draft coming through. This cold draft can easily damage your plants quickly. If you need to place it near the window make sure it is at least one foot away from it to avoid the cold air.

Water is Another Problem Beginners Tend to Make

You can even cause your flowers to turn yellow by too much watering as well. This is the rarest reason for your orchid leaves to turn yellow. Black rot can also be located on your plant if you happen to over-water your plants. Keeping your orchids dry will allow them to avoid fungal infections, bacterial infections, and other illnesses that could seriously affect the performance of your plants. Make sure not to water them everyday unless you are using a pot that has really good drainage or your plant is outside in the hot summer months.

These are just some reasons why your orchids may be turning yellow. Just remember whenever you see changes in your plant whether it’s in the leaves, stem, flower, or roots to take note of it. Have a great time growing beautiful blooms.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Taking Care of Orchids With These Simple Strategies

Every orchid enthusiast loves to ask this same question “How do I take care of orchids”? It’s amazing how much false information is out there and it’s real easy to get confused because most information you receive usually will contradict each other and you don’t know what to do. This is where the problem lies because you need to have the correct knowledge in order to properly maintain your plants. Once you get the right information then you will understand how simple it is to care for these flowers.

Choosing The Right Flower for Your Home or Garden

Once you have decided that you want to grow these plants you should decide what type of flower you would like to grow. There are a couple of flowers that are the easiest to grow and are great for beginners. Try looking for moth or lady slipper orchids. If you are just starting out with this fun hobby then you may start with these because they will not need as much attention as other difficult plants may need.

Once you have picked your flower or flowers it’s now time to decide where to place them. Your plant requires a certain environment in which it will thrive. They are found in many rainforests therefore it will need lots of humidity water and filtered sunshine.

Giving Your Plants The Sunlight They Require

Sunshine is pretty simple to accomplish especially if you have a south facing window. If you have a bay window this would be an excellent spot to place your orchid. Although, they do not direct sunlight and when taking care of them you should always place a piece of cloth or even a curtain in front of these plants. During the summer months is when you need to be careful because too much hot sun could burn the plants leaves and it may not flower properly or at all. If you don’t have a bay window, then any window at all should do just fine. Just remember to filter that sunlight.

Humidity is Something Not To Take Lightly

Now let’s discuss the amount of humidity you need to keep your flowers happy and healthy. Humidity is essential for your plants and you mustn’t skip this step at all. You will need to provide your orchids with at least 60-80% humidity at all times otherwise bad things could happen to your plant. And you don’t want that right? Giving your plants humidity is pretty simple. If you have humidifier then this is self explanatory. But if you don’t have one there is also another simple and cheap way to supply your plants with humidity.

Get a tray of some sort and put gravel or rocks inside of it. Fill it with water making sure that the water does not go above the medium you placed inside. Put your plants on top also making sure the flowers are not touching the water. That’s it; you have supplied your plants with enough humidity for the season. Periodically add water into the tray if you happen to see the water level getting to low.

Make Certain Water Levels are Correct

Watering is very simple when it comes to growing these exotic plants, but many people are mistake of how to properly water their plants. First of all you want to avoid over-watering them because this leads to trouble. Your plant may end up becoming infected with disease, bacteria, fungus, and even viruses. Leaving them to dry for a long time is also a bad idea because this may kill your plants and dry out the roots of your orchid.

When you are watering them you will need to test the soil for moisture. Place your finger down about an inch into the medium and if it feels moist you can avoid watering your flowers for now. If it happens to be dry then water them immediately, but not too much. You just want to get the medium moist, but not damp or wet.

These are just some simple orchid care tips you can use to grow beautiful blossoms. As you can see making these flowers bloom in your home is a really simple task as long as you have the right information. Now that you have the proper knowledge to easily grow these flowers you can now keep them healthy for many years to come.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Types of Rare Orchids That are Interesting To Know

Orchids can sometimes be very popular among certain types of people and cultures. Although many people have seen them in the wild or in stores there are some that are extremely rare that not many people have seen. These flowers are often used as collector’s items rather than for growing and taking care of them.

Anything that has some type of scarcity is always being searched for by enthusiasts and collectors. Most of the time these types are usually unique in color or appearance and are usually the most beautiful flowers you can ever find. So let’s discuss some types of rare varieties that you may never have seen or will see.

Let's Look at The Albino Flowers First

One example is the albino Phal Amboinensis. Because of its very unique color of being white and having no pigmentation this plant is very hard to find. The genetic mutation was caused by just one flower and from that one flower spawned a feeding frenzy for hungry collectors. Scientists have recreated the albino orchid using genetically altered flowers, but because they are easily created this makes them worthless as opposed to albino ones that are found in the wild or in their natural habitat.

Cattleyas Are Another Options for You To Discover

Other types include the infamous Cattleya orchids. Many growers have been known to say that these are very difficult to grow them and need very special care. They are one of the most delicate types in the flower kingdom and should not be tried by beginner enthusiasts. They will not bloom unless they are supplied with the exact required sunlight, temperature, and even fertilizer. If you don’t know how to grow these flowers then it is best to just try another type that is readily available.

The Lady Slipper is a Unique Plant To Grow

Paphiopedilums or the lady slipper orchids are sometimes considered rare ones. These were once a very popular plant to have especially in Great Britain and throughout much of Europe. But because people harvested too much of them they became very rare and people stopped growing them almost going extinct. Today they are very hard to find and if you do find one of these flowers, they can be another difficult type to grow without the proper knowledge.

If you happen to want to purchase one of these plants make sure that the flower came from somewhere that was environmentally friendly. You don’t want to get ones that were grown in environmentally harmful ways. Always remember when purchasing these flowers that you are going to spend much money on them because they are not that easy to find at all. Good luck adding rare flowers to your collection.