Whether grown indoors or out, all orchids require roughly the same care. Of the many species and hybrid orchids, the most familiar types are cattleya, cymbidium, and paphiopedilum, which are the corsage types.
Temperature & Humidity
Thirty to fifty percent humidity is enough for most orchids. Place your potted orchid on a pan or clay saucer filled with gravel to humidify. Small-sized gravel is best. Add just enough water to keep the gravel moist. Don’t let the bottom of the pot sit in water.
Most dwarf orchid varieties do well indoors, as they require less humidity.
Ideal temperatures are close to that of the average home — 60 to 65 degrees at night and 65 to 80 degrees during the day.
Potting Orchids
Clay pots, wire baskets, or small redwood tubs work well for home growing.
Orchids growing in 5, 6, 7, or 8-inch pots will probably need repotting every eighteen months. Orchids in larger containers will have to be repotted every three years. Be sure your pot or container has a large drain hole. Fill the bottom one-third of the pot with well-washed broken or chipped pottery.
Medium-sized fir bark is fast becoming the most popular orchid planting material. Do not use soil. Osmunda (tree fern fiber) contains more nutrients than fir bark but is more difficult to use in potting. Soak it in water for several hours when repotting with Osmunda for easier handling.
When you pull an orchid from an old pot, remove as much of the old potting mixture as possible, being careful not to damage the orchid’s root system. Next, cut off all dead or partially dead roots (they will be black or brown) to live tissue, which is white. Position the plant in the new pot and slowly work the fresh bark in and around the root system until all roots are covered. Water well.
Watering Orchids
There is no single rule for watering orchids. Small pots dry out faster than larger ones. Any time you are in doubt, do not water. The plant is fine as long as the bark in the pots seems moist or damp. When you do water, water slowly and thoroughly until water comes out of the drain well. Keep surplus water away from the pot.
Misting Your Orchid Plant
Mist your orchids daily, if possible. Do this early in the day so that leaves and stems will be dry by nightfall when light intensity is low. Misting early in the day will help you avoid most fungus problems.
Fertilizing Orchids
Use regular orchid plant food beginning in March. Continue through September. Once each month is enough if you wet the planting medium well when watering.
Insects & Fungus
Insects of any kind might infest your orchids. Watch them closely and spray them if needed. Wipe off scale insects with a damp cloth. Consult your Anawalt Garden Center professional for all current recommendations.
For fungus and mildew, spray with Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate and lime).
Whether grown indoors or out, all orchids require roughly the same care. Of the many species and hybrid orchids, the most familiar types are cattleya, cymbidium, and paphiopedilum, which are the corsage types.
Temperature & Humidity
Thirty to fifty percent humidity is enough for most orchids. Place your potted orchid on a pan or clay saucer filled with gravel to humidify. Small-sized gravel is best. Add just enough water to keep the gravel moist. Don’t let the bottom of the pot sit in water.
Most dwarf orchid varieties do well indoors, as they require less humidity.
Ideal temperatures are close to that of the average home — 60 to 65 degrees at night and 65 to 80 degrees during the day.
Potting Orchids
Clay pots, wire baskets, or small redwood tubs work well for home growing.
Orchids growing in 5, 6, 7, or 8-inch pots will probably need repotting every eighteen months. Orchids in larger containers will have to be repotted every three years. Be sure your pot or container has a large drain hole. Fill the bottom one-third of the pot with well-washed broken or chipped pottery.
Medium-sized fir bark is fast becoming the most popular orchid planting material. Do not use soil. Osmunda (tree fern fiber) contains more nutrients than fir bark but is more difficult to use in potting. Soak it in water for several hours when repotting with Osmunda for easier handling.
When you pull an orchid from an old pot, remove as much of the old potting mixture as possible, being careful not to damage the orchid’s root system. Next, cut off all dead or partially dead roots (they will be black or brown) to live tissue, which is white. Position the plant in the new pot and slowly work the fresh bark in and around the root system until all roots are covered. Water well.
Watering Orchids
There is no single rule for watering orchids. Small pots dry out faster than larger ones. Any time you are in doubt, do not water. The plant is fine as long as the bark in the pots seems moist or damp. When you do water, water slowly and thoroughly until water comes out of the drain well. Keep surplus water away from the pot.
Misting Your Orchid Plant
Mist your orchids daily, if possible. Do this early in the day so that leaves and stems will be dry by nightfall when light intensity is low. Misting early in the day will help you avoid most fungus problems.
Fertilizing Orchids
Use regular orchid plant food beginning in March. Continue through September. Once each month is enough if you wet the planting medium well when watering.
Insects & Fungus
Insects of any kind might infest your orchids. Watch them closely and spray them if needed. Wipe off scale insects with a damp cloth. Consult your Anawalt Garden Center professional for all current recommendations.
For fungus and mildew, spray with Bordeaux mixture (copper sulfate and lime).