Orchids

Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants known. The prime attraction for growing orchids is the diverse and exotic bloom that is produced.

The notion that all orchids are temperamental and difficult to grow is a myth. Some may not be particularly easy however most orchids can be grown anywhere provided that their basic requirements are being met.

Orchids are an amazingly adaptable group of plants with somewhere between 25,000 and 50,000 known species. They are naturally found in most parts of the world except Antarctica, with seven species recorded within the Arctic Circle.

Orchids are generally divided into 2 categories based on their very specialized root systems.

Epiphytes grow on trees, shrubs, or rocks in the wild with their roots completely exposed to the air. Others have swollen stems called “pseudo bulbs” that store water and nutrients.
Terrestrials grow in soil or humus. Both can be grown at home in a special orchid bark medium. A one third layer of gravel at the bottom of a plastic or clay pot helps drainage while weighting the pot at the same time.

When Choosing an Orchid

Consider the following important factors:

Light Conditions – Orchids can be grown on a windowsill that’s facing the right direction or under fluorescent lights
Daytime and night temperatures
Humidity – is a requirement for all orchids. This can be increased with a fine mist spray around the plant or by sitting pots on damp gravel
Fertilizer – Fertilize with Shultz Water Soluble Orchid Food 19-31-17
Air Movement – Good air movement around plants minimizes pests and disease
Re-potting – Re-pot after flowering every year or two

Cattleya Orchids

Cattleya Orchids range in colour from white to lavender, blue, green, orange, yellow, and red
Flowers generally last 2 weeks
Cattleyas like sun so a western or southern exposure is ideal. They will tolerate other exposures but their blooming will be sparse
Night temperatures of 12-16°C (55-60°F) with day temperatures of 21-24°C (70-75°F) also produce abundant flowers.
Watering Cattleyas correctly is important. They like to dry out thoroughly between watering. In winter it’s okay to keep plants barely moist but not so dry that the pseudo bulbs shrivel. In the summer when water loss is rapid, they need more frequent watering. Feel the bark, or moss medium to determine when to water. If the medium is cool to the touch wait until it’s dried out to 2.5 cm (1”) below the surface
Fertilize Cattleyas growing in bark about twice a month during spring and summer and once a month in the fall. Don’t feed them in winter when natural light levels are low and plant growth is correspondingly slow. Plants grown in moss should be fed once a month in summer only. They require no extra fertilizing the rest of the year

Cymbidium Orchids

These orchids are readily identifiable for their clumps of swollen pseudo bulbs that are surrounded by leathery strap-like leaves
Blooms occur along the length of a flower spike in white, green, yellow, rose, or red from February to early May. One spike can carry as many as 30 flowers, 10-15 cm (4-5”) across, and lasts for 8 weeks or more
Cymbidiums need to be grown in high light
Cymbidiums prefer cool evening temperatures 16°C (60°F) or lower during the warmest months of the year and 6°C (45°F) during fall to set flower buds.
Fertilize every 2 weeks from January through July and about once a month from August to December
These orchids like to be crowded in their container, repot after blooming when the pseudobulbs are jammed up against the edges of the pot
Water lightly after re-potting. When new growth starts, increase moisture

Dendrobium Orchids

This is a large and varied group of orchids
“Nobile” types need fall and winter dormancy with little water, no fertilizer and cooler nights
They flower on new and old growth
All Dendrobiums like bright light, good air circulation, and humidity between 50% and 70%
Flowers last between 2-3 months

Oncidium Orchids

This epiphytic orchid produces long spikes of brilliant yellow flowers, variously marked with brown, that last for 2 months
It likes a sunny window but some shade is beneficial when it’s flowering. Temperatures of 21-30° (70-85°F) during the day and 12-21°C (55-70°F) at night are ideal
Oncidium needs plenty of water throughout the growing and blooming season and a dry period with no water for several weeks following completion of new growth
Re-pot every year or 2 with small to medium bark

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Known as the “moth orchid,” Phalaenopsis produce long arching sprays of flowers up to 15 cm (6”) across
Individual blooms can last for 2 months or more and the succession of blooms on a single plant may give you flowers for more than half the year. They come in white, pink, yellow, peach, red, purple or green with any combination of stripes, spots, and coloured lower petals called “lips”
Phalaenopsis require about half the light needed by Cattleyas. They can tolerate more light through autumn and winter but not direct sun in summer. An east window is perfect but a northeast or northwest one is also acceptable. Aim for temperatures between 16-30°C (60-85°F)
Water once a week or so. Since they have no pseudo bulbs in which to store moisture, Phalaenopsis should never be allowed to dry out completely
Phalaenopsis can be made to re-bloom from the same green flower spike by cutting off the stem where the first flower was (closest to the plant). A new flower spike may emerge from the node or nodes just below the break, producing new flowers in 2 or 3 months. If you remove the flower spike completely, cut it off with a clean instrument at the bottom near the plant. This will encourage strong plant growth that would support possibly stronger and more floriferous flower spikes when the plant does bloom the next time

Q&A for Orchids

What’s the easiest Orchid to start out with?

Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchid doesn’t require any direct sunlight therefore, bright light from an east window, for instance, is perfect
Their floating flowers come in a wide array of colours on a long, arching branch
Blooms, up to 15 cm (6”) across, open in succession from bottom to tip and each lasts for 2 months or more
Foliage is thick, leathery, dark green, and strap-like
Phalaenopsis don’t store moisture in a pseudobulb so they should never be allowed to dry out completely
Always feel surface before watering and wait if cool and damp
Average indoor temperatures of 16-30°C (60-85°F) are fine and try to maintain a 50% humidity level
Fertilize with Schultz Water Soluble Orchid Food 19-31-17 while plant is flowering and growing
If mature plants fail to bloom, give them 2 months with 10°C (50°F) night temperature in fall
Re-pot every 2-3 years

Are Cymbidium Orchids hard to grow?

Like all plants, they grow and flower best when a couple of requirements are met
From March to October, water plants copiously and at other times potting medium can be kept barely moist but never allow to dry out
They like a lot of light in summer and early fall but prefer cool evening temperatures of 16°C (60°F) during this time
To encourage flowering, provide a cool period at 13-16°C (55-61°F) for 4-6 weeks in late fall
Fertilize every 2 weeks from January-July and about once a month August-December
Re-pot only when there’s no room for pseudobulbs to expand

I always hear about providing Orchids with high humidity but I seem to forget to mist them often enough. Any suggestions?

You can sit the Orchid on gravel (available in small bags of white marble chips or red crushed tile) placed in a saucer that is kept moist at all times by simply adding water
Be sure to put a cork mat under the saucer so constant dampness doesn’t stain surface below
There’s also a clear, plastic humidifier tray that can be used for Orchids, African Violets, Ferns, and Bonsai
The plant sits higher on pre-formed ridges in the centre of the tray with water below
Or leave the mister bottle right beside the Orchid and mist whenever you walk by
Never position an Orchid near a heat source in winter

Are ice cubes good for Orchids? and what’s the best way to water them?

It’s best not to put ice cubes on the orchid. Tropical plants don’t do well with cold temperatures, the orchid could experience stress related to the cold.
It’s best to water orchids thoroughly once every 7-10 days depending on your potting mix. Bark based mixes drain more freely and require more frequent watering, Long fiber moss doesn’t dry out as quickly and will require less frequent watering.
When watering your orchid, it’s best to pour 1-2 cups of room temperature water through the potting mix allowing it to fully drain before placing it back in the window.