Transcript Orchids 101

Orchids 101
A NEW GROWERS GUIDE
Orchids 101 Contents
What you Need to Know to
Succeed 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
 Light
 Temperature Range
 Water
 Food
 Air Circulation
Places to Grow
 Window sills
 Sun rooms
 Green houses
 Under lights
 Out doors in North Georgia in the summer
 Screen 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 EAST
 South is Brighter
 West can be HARSH
 North is too weak for most orchids
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 Sun light or the lack of it can be supplemented with
 GROW LIGHTS a reason the join the orchid society!
WATER
If 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.Plastic
2.Clay
3. Net
4.Baskets
5.Tree Fern Plaques
6.Cork Plaques
Mixes:
1.Bark
2.NZ spagham moss
3.Pro mix (looks like dirt)
4.Aliflor (man made stones)
5. Coconut husk or fiber
6.Variations of the above
Pots and mixes can be adjusted to provide
a wetter or drier environment.
PLANT LABELS
 ALWAYS KEEP THE LABEL WITH YOUR PLANT!!!
 That is how you know how to care for it
 It tells you it’s name and some times parents
 A 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/AOS
The 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 others
 What we want you to start with are some general
principles that will provide you with enough
knowledge for success.
ORCHIDS
WHERE THEY GROW
WHAT THEY NEED
The Orchid Genera
Phalaenopsis
Dendrobium
Oncidium
Cattleya
Paphiopedilum
CATTLEYA
Cattleya
Characteristics
Needs
 These orchids originate in the
 They need bright light.
 If you hold your hand over the plant
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.
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
PHALAENOPSIS
Phalaenopsis
Characteristics
 They originate in S.E. Asia, the
Pacific Islands and N.E. Australia.
 Phalaenopsis usually grow in trees.
 They have broad flat leaves.
Needs
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The Phal. needs shade or the broad leaves can
burn in the bright sun. Bright light with little or
no direct sun.
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They like a light breeze but no cold drafts.
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 The leaves grow from the base and
there is no water storage.
 The flower emerges from the base of
the plant .
Fertilize with 20-20-20 balanced fertilizer, 1/2
strength every other week.
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Stake stems to support flowers early in their
development. Shorter stemmed plants don’t
need staking and if sequential bloomers, don’t
cut stem.
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Home temperatures are sufficient.
 Standard Phals have long stems,
there are also Novelties, multifloras,
and miniatures.
A loose mix, let it almost dry
between watering times. Needs humidity
of 50-60%.
Oncidium
Oncidium
Characteristics
Needs
 This is a very large and diverse
 At home east, south, and west
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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.
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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.
Dendrobium
Dendrobium
Characteristics
 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.
Needs
 60-90 degree temps.
 Bright light with direct morning
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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.
Paphiopedlum
Paphiopedlium
Characteristics
Needs
 From the jungles of the Far East ,
 Shaded in east or west window.
 Temperatures 60-65 at night and
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.
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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 2020-20 at ¼ strength because
stronger solutions can burn the
hairy roots.
New Grower Plants
 Ask for Orchids for Novice Growers
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from these groups.
Shaded Morning Light: Phals. and Paphs.
Bright morning: Cattleyas, Dendrobiums,
Oncidiums,
South: Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium,
Shaded South: Pahps and Phals
West: 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
WITH MEMBERSHIP YOU RECEIVE:
•T W E L V E M O N T H L Y I S S U E S O F O R C H I D
MAGAZINE.
•T W E L V E M O N T H L Y I S S U E S O F O U R I N F O R M A T I V E
E-NEWSLETTER.
•A C C E S S T O T H E M E M B E R S O N L Y S E C T I O N O F O U R
WEBSITE – RAPIDLY GROWING IN CONTENT. –
WWW.AOS.ORG
•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 A T
200 ARBORETA AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
THROUGHOUT THE US.
•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
AOS PUBLISHED BOOKS.
In Conclusion
I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS INFORMATION
HELPFUL.
WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF
ORCHIDS.
THE AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY WISHES TO THANK
BARBARA BARNETT OF THE ATLANTA ORCHID SOCIETY FOR
THIS PROGRAM.