They are breathtakingly beautiful, delicate, long-blooming, long-lasting, fascinating in fragrance and form and extremely varied. Orchids have no equal. Seeing orchids flourish and bloom is one of gardening’s greatest joys. And we’ve included a list of the most commonly grown species in our guide to caring for orchids.
As a rare and expensive houseplant, orchids have overtaken even African violets and chrysanthemums. A seven-year cultivation cycle can now be completed in just two years, all thanks to advancements in plant cloning technology.
Species of Orchids
As far as flowering plants go, orchids take the cake. Every continent except Antarctica is home to more than 25,000 species of plants and animals. The tropical regions of the world, namely Asia and Central and South America, are home to the greatest number of orchid species. Orchids can only be grown indoors in most of North America, with the exception of native species like the lady’s slipper.
- One petal protrudes from the three petals and three sepals which are fused together in an orchid’s blossom.
- In order to attract a specific pollinator, every orchid has developed its own unique look.
- There are two types of orchids: epiphytic (plants that grow in the air) and terrestrial (plants that grow on the ground). Because they cling to trees and stumps in the wild, epiphytes are able to capture moisture from the air while also utilizing decomposing leaves for food.
Planting
Many of us have wondered if buying an orchid is a good idea after seeing them in the flower department of our local supermarket or home improvement store. Yes, says Marc Hachadourian, the New York Botanical Garden’s Curator of Glasshouse Collections. “Affordable orchids are just as likely to thrive as more expensive varieties. “Simply select a robust and healthy plant.”
The roots of most store-bought orchids are packed in soaked sphagnum moss, which comes in cheap plastic pots. Root rot can occur if there isn’t enough airflow. This is a problem. Repotting yours should be on your to-do list once you get it home.
Taking Care of Your Orchids
Tips for Growing Plants in Containers
Don’t repot a flowering plant while it’s in bloom. Take pleasure in the flowers, then remove the spent flower spike and repot the orchid.
Repotting is necessary when the growing medium of an orchid is reduced to crumbs, the roots are trailing down the pot’s sides, or the orchid itself has spilled out of its pot. Transplant your plants at the start of the following growth cycle (typically in the spring).
You should be able to pick up an orchid by its leaves and not shake out its roots in its pot.
Orchid Repotting
Remove the orchid from its current pot with care. It is common for new orchids to be sold in thin plastic containers that can be cut open.
If the old potting medium appears to be deteriorating or rotting, it should be thrown away.
Cut off any roots that are blackened, hollow, spongy, or damaged in any other way. Roots that are healthy are either white or green in color.
Tamp down the new potting media gently around the plant until it is about an inch from the top of the pot, then remove the old potting media.
The media around the orchid’s roots will settle if you give it a good soaking. If additional media is required, do so.
Staggering the plant until its roots take hold of the new media may be necessary if it doesn’t stay in place. Stakes made of green bamboo and curly willow are eye-catching.
Medium for the Growth of Orchid
- If you want to grow an orchid, don’t use potting soil from the supermarket. Epiphytic species need a lot of air around their roots, and all orchids need it. A medium that is airy, permeable, and quick to drain is the ideal choice.
- Plants that are taller and have deeper roots benefit from using a coarser growing medium.
- Special orchid potting mixes are available at most garden centers.
- Fertilizing mixtures for orchids typically include perlite, peat, or sphagnum moss, along with fine, medium, or coarse fir bark chunks. Four to six parts of bark to one part of the other ingredients is a good starting point for making your own.
Pots for Orchids
- For this reason, many people prefer to grow orchids in terra cotta pots. It’s even possible to find orchid pots that have large drainage slits on each side of the pot. Aeration and root health monitoring are facilitated by the “peep holes” provided.
- At least an inch of root space should be available in the pot you choose.
Care
As houseplants, orchids are prone to homesickness, despite the fact that they thrive in their natural habitats. You’ll get the best results if you give them what they want. Even though different species have their own preferences, they all require a certain amount of each to survive and thrive.
The Orchid Flower
Orchids, of course, are known for their long-lasting, beautiful flowers. However, orchids can be finicky when it comes to blooming. The following are some frequently asked questions about orchid flowers:
- What is the average number of times an orchid blooms? The type of orchid can make a difference. For example, Phalaenopsis orchids bloom frequently, while other orchids may only flower once or twice a year.
- What is the lifespan of an orchid flower? Orchid flowers can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the species. When they are kept in a cool place, watered properly, and aren’t overly stressed, orchids tend to last longer.
- The flower spike needs to be trimmed, but when? Cut the flowers as soon as the stem (also known as a “spike”) begins to wilt and drop off. Make sure you don’t accidentally cut off any leaves or roots when you remove the spike. To avoid snipping your Phalaenopsis orchid flower spike too soon, wait until the flowers have faded before doing so. When it comes to Phalaenopsis orchids, leaving the flower spike in place can actually speed up the time between blooms.
- What’s wrong with my orchid? It’s very likely that your orchid isn’t getting enough light. Find out more about lighting here!
Lighting
- In the absence of sufficient illumination, expect lush growth but no blooms to result. When a flower fails to bloom, the most common cause is a lack of light.
- These plants need a lot of light to thrive, but direct sunlight can harm orchids. It’s ideal to have light streaming in from an eastern or southern window that’s bright but not direct.
To determine how much light an orchid receives, look at the color of its leaves:
- A healthy plant has bright green leaves.
- Dark green leaves indicate that a plant is receiving insufficient light.
- Red or yellow leaves are a sign that a plant is receiving too much sunlight.
Feel the leaves of your orchid if you have any doubts that it is being overexposed to light. If the plant’s leaves feel hotter than the air around them, move it to an area with less sunlight.
Circulation of Air
- Moreover, orchids necessitate a constant flow of fresh air. Gentle breezes are essential for their survival in the wild. Stamped water, which is a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, is able to evaporate faster when air is moving through it.
- As a result, the leaves of orchids can withstand high levels of light without burning. Open windows in the summer and use an oscillating fan in the winter to create gentle breezes. In the absence of adequate ventilation, orchids may succumb to decay, carbon dioxide deficiency, or disease.
Watering
According to orchid experts, incorrect watering is the leading cause of orchid death. If you notice that your orchids are drying out, you should water them as soon as possible. Over-watering can cause orchid roots to rot, resulting in the death of the plant.
Do not use ice cubes to water your orchids! The direct chill of an ice cube will not be appreciated by most orchid houseplants, most of which are tropical species. As an analogy, imagine what it would be like to have someone dump an entire bucket of cold water on you at the beach.
Pick up the potted orchid and take a look at it to figure out how often it needs watering: Is the potting soil wet or not?? Is it easy to move around in the pot? This indicates that it may be thirsty.
Look at the orchid’s roots to see if it is thirsty.
A healthy orchid with white roots indicates that it is receiving the correct amount of water. Healthy roots should turn bright green when watered.
The orchid is in need of more water if its roots appear to have shrunk.
Watering should be reduced if you notice shriveled or spongy brown and black roots, which indicate rot.
Water plants once a week in the winter, and twice a week in the summer, with tepid water in the morning. To remove any naturally occurring salts, run water through the pot until the water runs freely out of it. Spray orchids with lukewarm water if the air in your home is particularly dry. Epiphytes, on the other hand, prefer drier conditions.
Fertilizing
- Every two weeks during peak growth (spring and summer) and once a month during dormancy, fertilize your orchids (fall and winter). Reduce the strength of a 30-10-10 fertilizer or orchid food by half before applying it to the soil.
- A balanced fertilizer, like 20-20-20, is a safe bet as the plant nears bloom.
- Growing experts recommend fertilizing only once every two weeks or so.
Dormancy
Winter is a good time for many orchids to go into dormancy. You should reduce or stop fertilizing during this time because the roots and leaves of plants are strengthening and storing energy for the next growth spurt and bloom. It takes an orchid 8 to 12 months to rebloom.
Pests/Diseases
Orchids are generally free of pests, but here are a few that could pose a problem. Non-chemical options can be used to address all of these first:
Neem Oil or Superior Horticultural Oils can be applied with a cotton swab and Isopropyl Alcohol or with a cotton swab and Isopropyl Alcohol.
Aphids: Anywhere on your plant, you’ll find clear, sticky droplets.
Scale: Make sure to inspect the undersides of leaves, particularly those near the leaf’s middle vein or their edges. When removing these pests, be aware that they have a hard scaly shell that must be penetrated or broken before they can be removed.
Mealybugs: Find a white cottony mass on the right column and petal of the top right petal. In most cases, it takes more than one application of insecticide to completely eradicate the problem. Take advantage of the natural remedies outlined above. In extreme cases, Orthene (Acephate) can be used.
Thrips: It is these small, gnat-like creatures that appear to be light streaks or stippling on the leaves and flowers of plants. Deformed flower buds are common. Most of the time, Neem is effective.
Spider mites: The fine webbing or stippling effect left by these minuscule pests can be seen on the leaves. Douse yourself in soapy water and squirt it all over. Spray Insecticidal Soap on the surface.
Snails and Slugs: To find out if you’re dealing with snails or slugs, use a flashlight at night and look for their slimy trail. Take a look around the base of your urns, as well. Sluggo baits or the old beer trick can be used to catch slugs. Put a half-inch-deep plate of beer out the night before, and they’ll be there when you wake up.
Diseases that affect orchids are rare, but here are a few of the most common:
- Too much moisture in the roots can lead to root rot. In order to keep your orchid healthy, follow the advice in the preceding paragraphs regarding airflow and water.
- Rotting of the growing point is one of the hallmarks of crown rot. Don’t water the plant’s crown, as this will encourage disease. It’s almost always beyond repair.
- A common symptom of bacterial and fungal diseases is leaf spot, which appears as circular or oblong lesions on the plants’ leaves or flowers. To get rid of diseased leaves, cut them away from healthy leaf tissue that isn’t showing any symptoms of the disease. Don’t cut into the infected area before slicing into healthy tissue, or you’ll spread the infection.
Types of Plants to Consider
Today, there are a plethora of stunning orchid varieties to choose from. We’ve outlined some of the most common types so you can get started.
“Classic orchid” Cattleya (epiphytic, or growing in the air) Intricately ruffled “corsage orchid” flowers are available in an array of vibrant hues and have a rich, heady, and nutty scent. It needs 5 to 6 hours of light a day to bloom. In the summer, bring it outside and water it heavily.
The “moth orchid” (epiphytic) Phalaenopsis Easy-to-care-for and quick-to-grow, this is the best choice for beginners because it produces a profusion of 3 to 6 week-long white, pink, yellow, red, spotted or striped blossoms. Humidity is essential because it is very cold-senstive. Make sure it gets plenty of food.
A terrestrial orchid known as Cymbidium, or “buttonhole orchid.” Big, 3- to 5-inch, bold blossoms in pastels to primary colors can be expected in intricate, arching sprays. Cool-loving Cymbidiums, which are native to many Asian countries, are ideal garden plants in southern California. Cymbidiums, especially the green-flowered varieties, are frequently fragrant.
the’slipper orchid,’ Paphiopedilum (terrestrial): This orchid, also known as “Lady’s Slippers,” is great for beginners because it’s so simple to grow. They have long-lasting blooms, with outlandish flowers in sensational and mysterious hues, and they are known for their long-lasting beauty. Even when they aren’t blooming, their foliage is still beautiful. Slippers for ladies come in a variety of hues and patterns.
An epiphytic orchid called Dendrobium, also known as the “Orchid of Many Faces,” This light-loving plant does best in a pot because it dislikes having its feet wet and is easily startled. White or purple and white are the most common colors of the flowers. You can keep it in a small pot and repot it just once every few years.
Orchids that have been dyed
Phalaenopsis orchids with neon blue or bright orange flowers are sometimes available for purchase in stores. As a result of the flowers being dyed, the plant’s subsequent blooms will not be as vibrantly colored as those dyed now. However, if you do decide to purchase these plants, keep in mind that they will only bear white or light pink flowers in the years to come.
Scentsuous Orchids
The scent of some orchids is simply incredible. They’re some of the best-smelling.
- Angranthes grandalena: sweet jasmine
- Brassavola nodosa: freesia or lily-of-the-valley
- Cattleya walkeriana and hybrids: cinnamon and vanilla
- Maxillaria tenuifolia: roasted coconut
- Miltoniopsis santanaei: roses
- Neofinetia falcata: jasmine
- Oncidium ‘Sharry Baby’: vanilla and chocolate
- Phalaenopsis bellina: freesia with a touch of lemon
- Phalaenopsis violacea: spicy, cinnamon
- Rhynchostylis gigantea: powerful citrus
- Zygopetalum: hyacinth
What If I Told You?
In order to attract pollinators, orchids create flowers that closely resemble the pollinator’s preferred food source. It looks like a female bee flying around a pink flower, which is why it is called Ophrys apifera As a result, male bees flock to it in droves. Upon landing on the orchid, he is covered in pollen, which he then disperses as soon as possible.
