Tips for Growing and Propagating Orchids

For years people believed that in order to grow orchids, a greenhouse was needed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many varieties of orchids can be grown successfully in your home. Orchids that come from mountainous regions of the world are known as cool-growing orchids. They thrive in cooler conditions and will not do well in a tropical environment.

Orchid Culture
Growing orchids is very different from growing houseplants. Most orchids that grow in their natural environment are not rooted in soil. Thick roots of orchid plants attach themselves to trees and branches. They cling to the bark. Nutrients and water are absorbed from the air, rainfall and trees. If rain is scarce, they adapt and store water in their leaves, roots and stem.

Orchid Growing Medium
When orchids are grown as indoor plants, they are planted in bark chips, charcoal chips and stones. This allows water to drain quickly, while keeping the orchid root well aerated. Another popular medium for growing orchids is fresh pine bark that has been mixed with peat or vermiculite. Pebbles and bark may also be used.

Planting Orchids

• Fill the pot 2/3 full of the growing medium you have chosen.
• Place the orchid in the pot.
• Spread the roots.
• Be sure the growing tip is centered. Do not let it touch the pot’s rim.
• Fill the pot with medium. Pack tightly to hold the orchid in place. You should be able to turn the pot upside down without the orchid coming loose.
• Repot every two years or when the orchid outgrows the pot. When this happens, new shoots will grow over the edge of the pot.

Temperature
Different orchid varieties have different temperature needs. Orchids are classified in categories of cool growing, intermediate and warm growing. These categories specify the minimum temperature the orchid prefers during nighttime in the winter months.

Cool growing orchids prefer winter nighttime temperatures to be around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Intermediate prefer 55 degrees, while warm growing like temperature to be approximately 60 degrees. Most orchids do not do well in an environment that exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Light
Light is an important factor in the blooming of orchids. Requirements of light vary with each individual orchid plant. Many orchids prefer partial shade and do well outdoors or in a greenhouse/terrarium. In winter, four hours of light is the minimum required. If there is not that amount of natural sunlight available, use fluorescent grow lights.

Water
Water is also an important factor when growing orchids. How often orchids need to be watered depends on:

• The time of year.
• Plant activity.
• Growing medium.
• Environment.

Do not water orchids on a fixed schedule. Deep water once a week and allow the medium to dry well before watering again. If orchids are suspended in the air in pots, they will dry out more quickly than those grown on a bench or table. This will cause them to require water more frequently. Orchids that are grown in bark will also need to be watered more often than those grown in other mediums.

Fertilizer
Orchids don’t need much fertilizer to remain healthy and bloom. Use a soluble 20-20-20 plant food or orchid fertilizer of 30-10-10. Never fertilize more often than every 30 days. Apply fertilizer instead of a normal watering and use only half of the recommended rate. If you apply fertilizer or water too frequently, your orchids will die.

Problems and Pests
Orchids don’t suffer from the same problems and pests that other houseplants do. If you care for them properly, they seldom contact disease or pests. If your orchids become infested with mealy bugs, wipe down with a soapy, warm cloth.

Remove all spent flowers and sheaths. However, be careful not to damage the pseudobulb.

Home Cultivation
Place your orchid pot on a saucer or a gravel filled tray. Keep a little water in this container to make the air around your orchid plant more buoyant.

Propagation
The most common and probably the best way to propagate orchids is by dividing them. This is very easy and will produce an abundance of plants. Simply divide the orchid’s root being certain that each division has at least one new shoot. Each division, if properly cared for will produce a full-sized plant that will bloom the following season. Dividing orchids promotes the original plant to produce more shoots. Divide where plants have three back bulbs.

Propagating Back Bulbs
Back bulb propagation is accomplished by using an old plant to produce a new one. Back bulbs usually have no leaves. If you choose to use this method, it will take you years to grow a plant that will produce blooms. To use this method of propagation, remove old growth, which is also known as back bulbs. This is best done at potting time. Once the old growth is removed, it has to be properly placed to induce the rooting process.

Propagating Orchids from Seed
Orchids are very difficult to start from seed. When they start this way in the wild, they require symbiotic fungus.

PH
Recommended PH for orchids is between 5.0 and 8.5.

Growing and propagating orchids is a great hobby. Imagine your pleasure when your very first orchid begins to bloom. Orchids are exquisite and their beauty if unsurpassed. Anyone can grow orchids if they have patience and give their plants a little tender loving care.