orchids 101

A NEW GROWERS GUIDE

Orchids 101

Orchids 101 Contents

What you Need to Know toSucceed in Growing Orchids

Where do you plan to grow?

What do plants need to thrive?

What plants fit the place you plan to use?

How to pick the best plant for you.

ORCHIDS IN NATURE

There are thousands of orchids species and hybrids. They have evolved to specific areas of the world. Mountains ,plateaus, woodlands, swamps, rain forests and on rocks. Their adaptation is amazing.

Our goal in caring for Orchids is trying to mimic nature. It is imperative that you know what your orchid’s specific needs are. You need to match your growing space to the plants needs.

The right plant; the right place

Basic Needs

LightTemperature Range WaterFoodAir Circulation

Places to Grow

Window sillsSun roomsGreen housesUnder lightsOut doors in North Georgia in the summerScreen porches or decks in the spring ,

summer, and fall. Watch the temperatures to be sure

you stay in the plants comfort range.

LIGHT

Look at the SUN LIGHT

The Best is EASTSouth is BrighterWest can be HARSHNorth is too weak for most orchids Sun light or the lack of it can be

supplemented withGROW LIGHTS a reason the join the orchid

society!

WATERIf growing inside be sure to water plants adequately. Take them to the sink and run the water through them.

Water well with watering can .

Outdoors use hose with nozzle with rain flow.

Out doors monitor rain amounts.

What is your orchids requirement for water? WET,MEDIUM,DRY

Winter rest means no water or fertilizer for a specific amount of time

“The dry period of the region of origin.”

Potting Mixes and Pots

The Purpose of Potting is to support plants where you want them to be. We have taken them from their habitat to ours.

We need to make them feel at HOME.Most orchids do not grow in soil but Potting Media

Pots:1.Plastic2.Clay3. Net4.Baskets5.Tree Fern Plaques6.Cork Plaques

Pots and mixes can be adjusted to provide a wetter or drier environment.

Mixes:1.Bark2.NZ spagham moss3.Pro mix (looks like dirt)4.Aliflor (man made stones)5. Coconut husk or fiber6.Variations of the above

PLANT LABELS

ALWAYS KEEP THE LABEL WITH YOUR PLANT!!!

That is how you know how to care for itIt tells you it’s name and some times parentsA species is written Phal. eqestris.A hybrid is written Phal. Winter Cloud.A specific selection of a species or hybrid is a

Cultivar written Bc. Ruby Star ‘Xanadu’ AM/AOSThe letters at the end are awards by orchid societies.

NO ABSOLUTES

When growing Orchids you will find there are no absolutes.

You can ask a dozen growers and they will all have a variation of the process.

Some plants are more adaptable than othersWhat we want you to start with are some

general principles that will provide you with enough knowledge for success.

WHERE THEY GROW

WHAT THEY NEED

ORCHIDS

The Orchid Genera

Phalaenopsis Dendrobium Cattleya

Oncidium Paphiopedilum

CATTLEYA

Characteristics Needs

These orchids originate in the Caribbean, Central Am. and South America.

The plant has pseudo bulbs which act as water storage in dry periods. They grow on a rhizome laterally and higher in trees or on the ground etc .

Large fleshy roots with a green tip when actively growing .

They have a sheath around the flower bud emerging from near the center of the leaves.

They need bright light. If you hold your hand over the

plant and there is a distinct shadow, it should be enough light.

They need to be watered after the potting media dries. Free draining mix

Fertilize every other week when in active growth with 20-20-20, ½ strength fertilizer.

Temp. 55-60 at night; 70 -80 day. Cattleya light is a standard and

comparison for care

Cattleya

PHALAENOPSIS

Characteristics Needs They originate in S.E. Asia, the Pacific

Islands and N.E. Australia.

Phalaenopsis usually grow in trees.

They have broad flat leaves.

The leaves grow from the base and there is no water storage.

The flower emerges from the base of the plant .

Standard Phals have long stems, there are also Novelties, multifloras, and miniatures.

The Phal. needs shade or the broad leaves can burn in the bright sun. Bright light with little or no direct sun.

They like a light breeze but no cold drafts.

A loose mix, let it almost dry between watering times. Needs humidity

of 50-60%.

Fertilize with 20-20-20 balanced fertilizer, 1/2 strength every other week.

Stake stems to support flowers early in their development. Shorter stemmed plants don’t need staking and if sequential bloomers, don’t cut stem.

Home temperatures are sufficient.

Phalaenopsis

Oncidium

Needs

This is a very large and diverse Group. They grow from the shore of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America to the high elevations of the Andes.

They have shorter, finer roots. Some have pseudobulbs for

water storage. Specifics of each species dictate

their need. Talk to the grower about where

they originate from cool growers to warm growers.

At home east, south, and west windows are ideal.

Temperatures at night 55-60 and day 80- 85, Higher temps with higher humidity.

Water varies with the plant: If they have thick leaves and large fleshy roots they need less water; if they have thinner leaves and finer roots they need more water.

Water well and let media dry half way.

Fertilize with 20-20-20 2 times a month when the plant is in active growth. Once a month when not.

Oncidium

Characteristics

Dendrobium

Characteristics Needs This is another very large

group. It is from S.E. Asia, the Pacific Islands & Northern Australia. They grow from sea level to the mountains.

They have well developed pseudobulbs called ‘canes’ for their upright leafy appearance.

This is such a large group of plant. Many are available but the most common in the retail market are hybrids of Den. Phalaenopsis.

60-90 degree temps. Bright light with direct morning

sun. Water once a week, Twice in

summer. Fertilize ½ strength twice a

month. Small pots, dry feet Do not remove bare canes as

plant will bloom from these and they provide food for the plant.

Ask grower if your plant requires winter rest.

Dendrobium

Paphiopedlum

Characteristics Needs

From the jungles of the Far East , Indonesia and Pacific Islands. They are semi- terrestrial on the forest floor or hanging from cliffs and on trees, sometimes on rocks.

There are several groups: warm growing, mottled leaf; Green leaf, cool growing; warm growing, green leaf multi-floral.

The plant has no water storage, and hairy roots. The flower emerges from the center of the leaves.

Shaded in east or west window. Temperatures 60-65 at night and

75-85 day. Cool growing 50-60 at night and

75-80 day. Water: plants have no

pseudoblulbs so roots must not be allowed to dry out. Water twice a week.

Humidity 40-50%. Fertilize every 2 weeks with 20-

20-20 at ¼ strength because stronger solutions can burn the hairy roots.

Paphiopedlium

New Grower Plants

Ask for Orchids for Novice Growers from these groups.

Shaded Morning Light: Phals. and Paphs.Bright morning: Cattleyas, Dendrobiums,

Oncidiums, South: Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium,Shaded South: Pahps and PhalsWest: Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium

North: None of the above

How to Buy an Orchid

Things to consider:What kind of plant is it ?Can you meet it’s cultural needs?

Buy the most mature plant you can afford.Plants come as seedlings, near blooming size and blooming size.

If it is not in bloom, ask how long the vendor expects it will take to bloom.If it is in bloom and there is a bloom spike be sure there are at least half buds.

Observe the health of the plant, does it have new growth, new leaves, new roots or maybe a bloom spike. Has it recently been repotted, if so, does it have new roots.

Ask the vendor if there is anything special you need to know about caring for this plant. Take notes.Don’t buy a plant you can’t care for. You will set yourself up for failure.

DO YOU BELONG TO A LOCAL ORCHID SOCIETY?

IF NOT, FIND ONE AND JOIN IT. THEY ARE YOUR SOURCE OF MANY PEOPLE WHO SHARE YOUR HOBBY AND YOUR LOCAL GROWING CONDITIONS. SOCIETIES AFFILIATED WITH THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.AOS.ORG

WE URGE YOU TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY

WI TH M EM B ER SH IP Y OU RECEI VE :•T W E LV E M O N T H LY I S S U E S O F O R C H I D M A G A Z I N E .•T W E LV E M O N T H LY I S S U E S O F O U R I N F O R M AT I V E E -N E W S L E TT E R .•A C C E S S T O T H E M E M B E R S O N LY S E C T I O N O F O U R W E B S I T E – R A P I D LY G R O W I N G I N C O N T E N T. – W W W. A O S . O R G•F R E E A D M I S S I O N O R S E L E C T E D D I S C O U N T S AT 2 0 0 A R B O R E TA A N D B O TA N I C A L G A R D E N S T H R O U G H O U T T H E U S .•5 0 % D I S C O U N T O N Y O U R C H O I C E O F O N E O F F I V E A O S P U B L I S H E D B O O K S .

I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS INFORMATION HELPFUL.

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ORCHIDS.

T H E A M E R I C A N O R C H I D S O C I E T Y W I S H E S T O T H A N K B A R B A R A B A R N E TT O F T H E AT L A N TA O R C H I D S O C I E T Y

F O R T H I S P R O G R A M .

In Conclusion