Useful Tips For Orchid Growers
By Chairil Amin Umar
Most interesting orchid growers are familiar with the exotic features of the orchid plants and also, how interesting it is to plant these orchids in the house. Many people are actually hesitant to take their aspiration further and grow these beautiful plants, since they imagine that great amount of care needs to be taken into action, that most likely a novice or an amateur won't be able to fulfill.
A frequent question that mostly asked to the orchid grower is connected with the kind of orchid that needs to be ideally grown as a novice. Purple bloomed Cattleyas are the most common nuance to the word orchid, because they are in the trade since several years. Anyhow, this species has only about 50 genus, out of the known 30,000 species. In fact plenty orchids thrive beautifully in the confines of home.
Factors:
The orchid growers have to consider four most essential factors when growing orchid plants :
1. Humidity :
Primarily tropical plants that need tons of humidity are orchids, and most of the orchid growers are concerned of this fact before growing a beautiful orchid plant. The orchids require for a minimum of 50 percent humidity and hence, the condition for growing needs to be settled to achieve that. There is an easy way to achieve this by filling a tray with pebbles inside and water outside. By means of a stand, put the orchid pot on the tray top but the base of pots is not submerged in water.
2. Water
Orchids also require water, like most growing plants. However most the orchid growers have an opinion that orchids need high level of humidity they may require water continuosly. This is absolutely wrong because excessive watering will cause in killing the orchid plant. The orchid plant need to be watered only once the medium at the top layer is dry. If the medium remains dry for more than 24 hrs in the pot, then you have to water your plant a bit more than usual one.
3. Growing Orchid Mix
Orchids need good growing orchid mix filled with nutrients to bloom. You can purchase this orchid mix in the orchid store available in your hometown. Mostly the orchid mix consist of Organic Choices : Coconut Husks - Ideal. Light in weight and holds water well. Good value but may decay faster. Osmunda Fern Fiber - Difficult to find but offers great drainage and decays slowly. Pine Bark - Inexpensive and popular. Rots slowly but may not hold water well at first. Redwood Bark - good at holding water and doesn't decay quickly. Sphagnum Moss - provides good air and water retention. Pot should be packed loosely.Inorganic Choices : Alifor - these consist of tiny pieces of clay. Offer moderate drainage and don't decompose. Charcoal – An excellent choice, decomposes slowly and absorbs toxins. Lava Rock - heavy but has good drainage and doesn't decay. Pearlite - lightweight and doesn't decay easily, absorbs water well. Turface - used with Pearlite, this is heavy and might be expensive. Vermiculite - absorbs water well and aids air circulation around the root.
4. Light:
Most orchids need light very much, and it is very essential so that they can maintain healthy growth. They need bright light up to 50 percent sun, in the home, an east, west or lightly shaded south window especially in the winter.
Conclusion:
If you want to become a successful orchid grower, it is different from growing any kind of plant. The basic 4 factors that are mentioned above should be kept in mind, for the novice grower you can start your hobby by growing Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, Dendrobium and Vanda.
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