Learn To Grow Orchids Easily In Growing Orchids For Beginners!Yes, growing orchids for beginners can be very easy. They are like any other house plants, they need water, light, fertilizer and, oh yes, you should talk to them or even play them some music. One of the long standing myths that I still hear is that growing orchids as house plants is difficult and that orchids are finicky to grow. Well, plain and simple, the answer is NO. In fact, orchids as house plants are easy to grow and will continue to bloom for years. Some orchid plants have been around for centuries! Below are some highlights you can use
as a guide to growing orchids for beginners.
The real trick in orchid
care is to gain some experience and education and to be preventive with respect
to problems. It really doesn't take much time or knowledge to keep
them healthy. Frequently people write me and
ask me to recommend resources or sources of information to learn about orchids. Currently the one I am recommending
first is Orchid Care Expert: A Practical Guide To Orchid Care by Nigel Howell. It is an excellent e-book. I own
about 20 hard orchid books and over 5 orchid e-books. I like different books for different
reasons. But this is the one I would suggest to start with right now whether you are a new orchid grower
or have some experience.
If you are interested in checking out Nigel's ebook further click on the "Click here" link below and it will take you to where you can learn more about it.
WATERING One of the two top items in growing orchids for beginners is Water. The other is Light. Orchid house plants and orchid plants in general will need watering periodically, usually you can water once a week. Remember, most orchids are air plants and this means you will see their roots. Their root system and the pseudbulbs are very efficient in storing water. Here is a watering guide you can use: Cattleya, Oncidium and Dendrobium orchids like to dry out between watering. An easy way to water is to put the plant in the sink and let water flow through the plant for about 20-30 seconds. Remember, let the water drain from the plant before putting it back into the decorative pot. Phalaenopsis orchids like to almost dry out between watering. To decide on the next watering is to stick your finger about or a wooden pencil an inch into the medium which should feel spongy and not bone dry. Growing orchids like Paphiopedilum
and Epidendrum should be slightly moist so that watering can be twice a week.
HUMIDITY If the humidity in your home is low
(below 40%) you may need to either mist the plant occasionally or use a humidity
tray. The tray is simply a metal or plastic tray that is filled with pebbles and
1/2 of water. The plant would sit would sit on the pebbles. Be sure not to let
the plant or roots sit in the water while on the tray. Check out the page on humidity trays for a very cool way to handle humidity for your orchids. Check out These Cool Orchid Growing Humidity Trays! THE RIGHT LIGHTING Growing orchids for beginners requires the right light. It is the next most important element to growing orchid plants. As a general statement most orchid house plants do well in medium light. This would in a window or an area that could get about 4 hours of sun or bright light a day. Cattleya orchids do well in this light but can also do well in a sunlit area for up to six hours. Phals. do well in indirect but bright light. WHAT ABOUT TEMPERATURE? Most orchids do well in normal house temperature. The low temperature at night do not impede the growth. Here is a little guide you can use. Growing orchids for beginners should understand that there needs to be fluctuation in temperatures in order for the plants to bloom. For example, there should be about 10 degree fluctuation for Cattleyas between the day and night temps. So, hopefully this is a good start for you for growing orchids for beginners. If this is of interest then go to the Frequently Asked Questions page. There I have written answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions. There is lots of great free information there for new and not so new orchid growers. Check This Out If You Have More Orchid Growing Questions
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