Questions
(click on bolded links to move down quickly)
- How
often should I water my orchid plants?
- How
much sunlight do my orchids need?
- What
kind of humidity do orchids like?
- What
kind of fertilizer should I use? How often should
I use it?
- When
should I repot my plants?
- What
kind of soil should I use?
- Are
orchids indoor or outdoor plants?
- How
well will orchids grow in my area?
Q1:
How often should I water my orchid plants?
A: Watering
the potting material once a week is usually sufficient.
The key with watering is letting the potting material
dry between waterings. Also, it is better
not to water over the leaves and blooms. Instead
mist them with a spray bottle.
>>> Click here for more information
on Watering
Q2:
How much sunlight do my orchids need?
A:
Most orchid plants do best with filtered or indirect sunlight.
For indoor plants, avoid direct afternoon sunlight
by placing your orchids in a South, North, or East facing
window. Vandas are one exception. Vandas require
direct sunlight and do well in West-facing windows..
>>>
Click here for more information on Sunlight
Q3:
What kind of humidity do orchids like?
A:
Orchids are tropical flowering plants and do need
humidity. Misting plant leaves with a spray bottle
usually has the right effect. Don't have time to
mist your plants? Try using a humidity tray or a
gravel bed (which allow water to evaporate and provide
the right humidity).
>>>
Click here Click here for more information on Humidity
Q4:
What kind of fertilizer should I use? How
often should I use it?
A:
In general, a good all-purpose "balanced" fertilizer
is sufficient for good plant growth. What does "balanced"
mean? A balanced fertilizer is described as having
equal concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.
This is indicated on the label by the numbers 10-10-10,
14-14-14, or some similar combination. For better
flowering, switch to a blooming fertilizer, high in phosphorous,
when your orchid plants begin to bud (look for 10-40-10
or a similar combination). Fertilizing performs
best when done in small amounts often. Time-released
pellet fertilizer works well. Be strongly careful
that you don't overfertilize.
>>> Click here for more information
on Fertilizer
Q5:
When should I repot my plants?
A:
You should repot your plants roughly every 2 to
3 years with fresh potting material. This protects
against disease, decay, and root rot. Typically,
when repotting, you will move your plant to the next larger
size pot. Never repot while the plant is blooming.
>>>
Click here for more information on Repotting
Q6:
What kind of soil should I use?
A:
Fir bark with charcoal & perlite, and spaghnum
moss are two common potting materials we use.
>>>
Click here for more information on Potting
Materials
Q7:
Are orchids indoor or outdoor plants?
A:
Orchids grow both indoors and outdoors. Generally,
you can grow orchids outdoors if the outside temperature
stays between 55° and 80°F. When grown indoors,
it is important to ensure that your plants get adequate
sun and humidity.
>>>
Click here for more information on Temperature
Q8:
How well will orchids grow in my area?
A:
Our orchids grow all over the United States. The key is
having the right environment. Some orchids, such
as cymbidiums, grow well in cooler climates. Others such
as vandas, require a great deal of direct sunlight.