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.

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.

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.

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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Though there may be different kinds of plants that you could add to your own backyard or patio, one of the most popular plants that are known for their beauty and other outstanding characteristics are the orchid flowers. Here are some general tips that you could take note of to ensure that your orchid flowers would bloom abundantly and beautifully and it is guaranteed that you will have the best orchid plant collection when you follow these great tips.

Pointers to Help Take Care of Them

One of the most essential keys or tips that you could follow when it comes to taking care of orchid flowers is to make sure that you have the right kind of light because it is one of the most important factors when it comes to successful orchid growing. Keep in mind that the leaves of your orchid and the orchid flowers could easily be burned if they are receiving too much light. On the other hand, it is also not good for the orchid flowers to not receive enough light and you must remember that when the flowers are in bloom, it is essential that you keep them away from direct sunlight.

Another great tip to follow that would ensure beautiful orchid flowers is to make sure that you also have the right temperature. For those orchid plants that have low temperature needs, what you could do is to place them on the floor or on the shelves that are near above them. And for those that may need warmer temperatures, you could use curtains to mimic the warm weather or you may use electric fans to help circulate warm or cool air that is needed.

Lastly, when it comes to watering and putting fertilizer on your plant, it is essential that you know the right amount and the time of the day where you would best put them in your plants. Talking to an expert or a nursery salesperson could give you more pointers about the right amounts of water and fertilizer for your plant to ensure successful orchid flowers.

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How to Select your Orchid Flower

It may be true that the hardest part of orchid care may be the selection process. There are so many species of orchids available, that it is easy to become overwhelmed with the plethora of choices. Generally, when you are hunting for an orchid flower that will do well inside your home, the species to select from are phalaenopsis (also known as the moth orchid), cattleya (the most popular orchid found in bouquets), and dendrobium. By limiting your selection to these three varieties, you are more likely to find an orchid flower that you will be able to successfully grow indoors. You can then select from factors like when the orchid flowers bloom and how much sun and water each variety requires.

How to Grow Orchids

The first note to make when it comes to growing orchids is that most of these plants do not require soil to grow in. Many are considered “air growers”, which means that they usually grow on trees. Others grow in mulch on the forest floor, and still others root themselves in sand or soil. It is important to know which growing medium that your particular orchid flower will prefer. Light is another factor in the growing of orchid flowers. The majority of these plants will require plenty of bright, filtered light to thrive, so a southern-facing window is often the best location for your orchid flower. These plants also need sufficient water, but should never be allowed to become waterlogged. Finally, humidity is a key in good orchid care, so if your home is lacking in this component, make sure that you add additional humidity for your plant.

Orchid flowers are beautiful and fun to grow. Talk to your local garden center today about the best choice of orchids for you.

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So the first rule of thumb in orchid care is to know where your plants come from. Here’s a brief guide. Epiphytes grow and flourish on tree trunks while hardy lithophytes make their home on rock and rock surfaces. On the other hand, the myco-heterotrophs are those that lack chlorophyll and feed on nutrients from decaying plant matter. The last category and one in which a large number of today’s household orchid plants belong to are called terrestrial plants.

Most household orchids include the popular varieties such as the Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid), Dendrobium, Cymbidium and the lovely Cattleya or the Corsage Orchid. Even if these varieties are quite common, don’t think that it automatically becomes foolproof orchid care.

One should consider that successful orchid care involves being aware that varieties still follow their geographic influences with some general rules.

Some Useful Orchid Care Tips

Orchid Care Tip 1: While orchids don’t need extra care and are not generally delicate, you should remember that if you’re living in a temperate country, only bring them out during the summer. In temperate climates, regular living room temperature is generally okay should you wish to display your prized specimens there.

Orchid Care Tip 2: Ask the nursery for orchids that can grow optimally in particular parts of your house; example, your porch, living room or window sill. Some hybrids are bred for such specific areas.

Orchid Care Tip 3: If you are a novice orchid grower, try a variety or hybrid that is easy like Phalaenopsis. People like this variant because it can flower all year as compared to others who normally only blossom once a year. In taking care of this variety, remember to always cut the stem after flowering to ensure that it blossoms again or grows a new stem segment.

Orchid Care Tip 4: It’s okay to give your orchids fertilizers. Make sure to follow certain conditions like the orchid’s flowering season. While general fertilizers are okay, try looking for special formulations specifically just for orchids.

Orchid Care Tip 5: As a beginner, you are encouraged to join horticultural societies or get online and participate in orchid related forums and websites. There is nothing more encouraging and fulfilling than sharing your new found passion with others who feel the same way you do.

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Cactus or Orchid?

While the large, showy blooms of the orchid cactus resemble those of other orchids, this plant is without a doubt a cactus. If you look closely enough, you will even detect the hairlike spines along the leaves and stem that characterize a cactus species. In addition to the name orchid cactus, these plants are also referred to as jungle cactus, which separates them from much of the rest of the desert flora that you might find. Many of the varieties of the orchid cactus will primarily bloom at night, when you will have to look closely through the darkness to find large, beautiful blooms of white or other hues. You can also find some species of orchid cactus that will bloom during the day, and now there are many other color variations available as well, as hybridization has progressed to many other varieties of this plant.

The term “epiphyllum” means “upon the leaf”. This refers to the fact that these plants often live on other plant surfaces, which is a typical characteristic for many types of orchids – another commonality between the orchid and the orchid cactus. This does not mean that this plant is parasitic in nature, however. The orchid cactus does not take anything from its host for survival. Instead, it relies on its environment to provide everything it needs to thrive. This is what makes the orchid cactus an epiphyllum instead of a parasite, just like the nature of many orchid plants.

The orchid cactus is plentiful in some environments, but it is also fairly easy for the gardening enthusiast to grow at home. In zones of 10 or higher, these plants can be left outdoors year-round. In cooler climates, it is best to leave these plants indoors until the warmest months of the year. But no matter where you live, you can enjoy the beauty of the orchid cactus indoors and out.

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So, what better way in which you could have these wonderful orchid bouquet arrangements than to do them yourself. You can use them for parties and then give them to guests to take home. Here are great ways in which you could learn how to create different kinds of arrangements of orchid bouquets that would surely take anyone’s breath away.

Go Back to School

One of the best ways in which you could learn to create an orchid bouquet arrangement is by joining a school or an organization that could teach you the basics in flower arrangement. And right now, one of the best organizations where you could have an education for arranging different styles of orchid bouquet is through the help of Long Wood Gardens Organization that are holding annual or seasonal lessons for orchid arrangements.

If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful organization and their cause, you may log on to their website at www.longwoodgardens.org and see for yourself what their class schedule is like. Truly, having to join this kind of organization would not only help you enrich your knowledge but also let you meet wonderful people with the same interest as you do.

Read or Watch

Another one of the most popular ways in which you could learn how to arrange an orchid bouquet is by reading books that are very educational and could give you easy to follow guidelines. To find such books, you may check out the wonderful website of Orchids Books at www.orchidsbooks.com where books like “Fascinating OrchIdeas” and “Orchidees 100% Deco” are in stock and are suggested reading material for those who are starting to learn the basics of flower arranging.

What is also great about this one of a kind online store is that they are also known for selling instructional DVDs that could teach you about orchid bouquets and the art of flower arranging. So check them out now and be amazed as to how beautiful their products are.

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They are also very thirsty plants and require lots and lots of water saturated through their soil. But the most important additive for these potted flower plants is their orchid bark. What is orchid bark? Orchid bark is a special blend of vitamins and nutrients created specifically for the well being of the orchid plant. Orchid bark also has just the right consistency to let enough air through the mixture to promote healthy growing for the orchids.

The Flower Garden

With all of this information in mind it is time to start a flower garden full of orchids. The first thing that needs to be done is to find the perfect location with enough light to make the orchids happy and just enough humidity to keep the leaves moist. There has to be an adequate water source nearby, such as a spring or a creek to provide the finicky flowers with all of the water they can possibly drink. Now, the most important aspect of this garden is the question, where are you going to get the orchid bark?

Since the orchid bark is so essential to the growth of the orchid, research must be done to find a perfect match. The best place to find orchid bark is in an orchid nursery. You can find orchid nurseries all over the world from London to Thailand. There is medium grade and regular grade orchid bark, each of which adds a different element to the soil’s mixture. Now you need to landscape your orchid flower garden. A goldfish pond should be added for a little atmosphere. The garden should be bordered by decorative rocks that glimmer in the sun.

A white picket fence should be erected around the garden to keep out the rabbits and the deer. And hummingbird feeders should be hung in the trees to attract the cute, funny little creatures. All in all, the orchid flower garden has turned out well. All of the ingredients mixed together well to add the perfect blend of ambiance and flare for a very colorful, very vibrant orchid flower garden.

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