Growing Wild Orchids Tips

There are few plants more beautiful and dramatic than the orchid. While orchid growing used to be limited to the rich of society, today’s wide selection and availability of these plants has allowed anyone to enjoy them within their own homes. And although many still believe that orchids are a difficult plant to grow, most indoor gardeners have found that with a few orchid growing tips under their belts, orchids can be an attainable beauty for just about everyone.

Tip #1: The Growing Medium

The first and most important orchid growing tip that you need to know is that most orchids to not require soil to take root in. In fact, most species of orchids grow in sand, pebbles, or even on the sides of trees. One of the most common mistakes that first-time orchid growers make is to attempt to place their plant in a pot of soil. Then they wonder why their plant dies so quickly. By following the orchid growing tips of your local nursery or extension office, you can provide the best medium, for your plant to allow it to thrive.

Some orchids do best when they are allowed to attach to a piece of bark or cork. These are generally the plants that are found in the wild attached to tree trunks. You can also find commercial orchid mediums that are made from substances like bark, volcanic rock or charcoal. For your best orchid growing tips regarding the medium that your plant will thrive in, it is best to talk to someone familiar with the different types of orchids and their requirements.

Tip #2: Proper Lighting

Another important orchid growing tip to keep in mind is the amount of light that your plant will require. Most orchids do best with some shade, so a southern window will often provide the best source of bright, filtered light for your plant. However, the amount of light required will tend to vary between the different varieties of orchids, and some will do better with more or less light than southern exposure will allow. Again, for the best orchid growing tips, you need to be familiar with the exact type of orchid that you are growing, so that you can talk to an orchid expert about the specific lighting requirements for your plant. An orchid that does not get enough light will not flower, so sunlight is very important for you to be able to enjoy your plant to the fullest.

Orchids can be a beautiful addition to any home décor. By following a few simple orchid growing tips, you will rest assured that you will be able to enjoy your delightful plant to the absolute fullest.

Many people see beautiful orchids and are confident that they are difficult if not impossible to grow at home. While the orchid plant does have specific requirements, successful orchid growing at home can be done quite easily with some basic knowledge and commitment on the part of the grower. Anyone who enjoys growing plants and enjoys orchids should make the opportunity to grow this splendid flowering species. The enjoyment and benefit of the orchid growing in the home will be great.

Orchid Growing Containers and Soil

As with all plants, the choice of containers and soil should be done carefully for orchid growing. Clay pots and hanging pots will require more frequent watering and plastic pots will have to be watched to make sure the plants are not allowed to soak in water. In dry areas the container should be chosen so it can be set on water covered pebbles for increased humidity.

The soil should be a firm enough to support the plant but light enough to allow the delicate roots to grow and take hold. Bark and pebbles can be added to the medium to make a suitable soil that drains well. The orchid grower will have ample opportunity to learn the best soil and container for their home since the plants will need to be repotted about every two years.

Light and Temperature for Orchid Growing at Home

Most orchid plants will need plenty of light but not direct sunlight for any length of time. Orchid plants typically do well in a window of the home that is somewhat shielded from direct light especially in the hottest part of the day. Orchid growing can even be done in a dark environment with the use of good fluorescent lighting. The light must be left on for about 12 hours each day to insure adequate lighting.

The temperature should be kept at about 60 to 70 degrees although there are orchids that will tolerate it a little cooler or a little hotter. Orchids should never be allowed in freezing temperatures and should even be moved to the interior of the home when the temperature will drop to prevent to much cold through the windows.

Watering Growing Orchids

Orchids need plenty of water and humidity but should never be allowed to soak for a lengthy time. Too much water can cause fungus growth that will eventually kill the plant. The grower can generally plan to water whenever the soil is dry to the touch. The plants can be watered generously as long as they are able to drain.

Have you ever wondered where orchid’s come from? They come from orchid growers of course! The orchid growers are a very select and special group of people that care and nurture orchids into bloom. In fact, the orchids are so special that an entire college has been developed specializing in orchid growing.

The School

The requirements to get into the University of Orchid Growing are very specific and although anyone can apply, not just anyone will be accepted. For starters, you have to have a green thumb. Not a purple thumb or a red thumb, but a pure green thumb. Sparkly eyes are the next requirement to be accepted into the University of Orchid Growing. If you do not have a sparkle in your eye you can not see the sparkle in the flowers. A beautiful singing voice is a must because orchids love to be sung to and they have been known to grow in time with the music.

You must have your own set of gardening tools in which to plant the flowers. And you must have the perfect pretty set of gardening gloves because orchids will not grow if you use ugly gardening gloves to plant them. The last requirement needed to be accepted into the University of Orchid Growing is to have your own personal rain cloud. Now this can not be a grumpy rain cloud who pours water whenever it is sad or grumpy. This has to be a happy rain cloud with a silver lining that will sprinkle rain only when asked because, as you know, orchids like to have lots and lots of water, but they do not want to drown. If you meet all of these requirements you will be a shoe-in for a spot in this illustrious orchid growing program and you can choose from a variety of orchid degrees.

Degree Plans

Once you have been accepted into the University of Orchid Growing you have to choose your degree plan. They have two year degree plans, four year degree plans, and six year degree plans to choose from. The two year degree plan is the most basic and teaches the student how to capture the vibrant colors of each specific orchid. The four year degree plan teaches you about the colors, but also the mixtures in which the orchids must be planted.

The six year degree plan teaches you about the colors, the potting mixtures and the climate that the orchids must live in. This is the most widely accepted degree plan and almost all orchid nurseries in the world will accept it. This is a great school and anyone who wants to go into orchid growing would be wise to check it out.

Since their introduction in the 1800s, the last two centuries have seen the orchid become one of the most sought after plants in the entire world. There are many lifetimes and careers spent simply trying to perfect the beauty that most see in a perfect orchid. An orchid greenhouse is where one tries to create the perfect environment for growing an orchid. Contrary to the widely held view it does not need to be that warm, and in fact, some orchids prefer cooler environments.

What is true is that the extremes of temperatures are not favored by the plant and, therefore, an orchid greenhouse or, indeed, just a normal house will do quite nicely to grow many beautiful varietals of orchids. However, some of the most beautiful orchids are discovered in the wild almost everywhere in the world. Indeed, much of the beauty of the plant is often the environment they are found in.

The History of the Secret Orchid Greenhouses

Although they are a recent phenomenon in terms of begin a popular plant, they actually may date from the era of the dinosaurs. Fossil evidence indicates that the world’s most sought after flower was part of the flora as the monsters roamed the world. Of course, it is true that there were no orchid greenhouses during that time as the monsters would most likely have destroyed them. It is hard to imagine a traditional glass orchid greenhouse in the middle of the forests and grasses that predominated back then. The history of the secret orchid greenhouse bears some resemblance to the tragedies of the fall of the largest creatures ever to walk our planet.

Many years ago in the south of the United States an orchid society existed and flourished in some of the more remote coastal towns facing the Gulf of Mexico. Not well known, as the communities were poor, and the growers of African-American origin, the plants were grown in small orchid greenhouses stretching from Homer to Gulfport. The beauty and peace represented by these plants and the efforts of the gardeners underlined the true nature of the human soul.

These oases in the depressed south were all supposed to be destroyed during the racial violence of the 1960s and then as a result of catastrophic storms in the first part of the 21st century. However, that is not quite true, there are rumors that one still remains, and in fact one still does. This secret orchid greenhouse has survived the years and the turmoil. It is maintained in the mind of a very special man, now almost 90 who lives with his family somewhere in the coastal swamps of Louisiana and Mississippi. In frequent visits to the recovering communities of the south, he recalls the types and genre of the plants and remembers the beauty shared among the communities of the south with this simple flower. Unlike the stories and events of the dinosaurs, the lessons and stories of this secret orchid greenhouse will never be forgotten.

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