Yellow Orchid Leaves



Orchid species that are typically bathed in sunlight, or grow in areas which are dry and arid, have thick, very leathery leaves, whereas species that live in shaded areas have long, thin leaves.

The leaves on orchids generally live for several years, while others shed them annually and grow new leaves.

What symptoms is your plant displaying?

  • Are the leaves turning yellow?
  • Do they turn yellow and drop?
  • Do they have any Black Rot? (leaves turn black and watery)

One of the most common ailments with these flowers is the presence of yellow orchid leaves. It could be just a sign that your plant is suffering from old age or it could be something more serious. Don’t worry if it’s only happening to the oldest leaves as they could be just drying off. The leaves tell you a great deal about the overall health of the plant, so it’s important to take note of any changes.

If you see irregular yellow spots on the leaves, this may be the result of a fungal infection, but does not turn the whole leaf yellow. The state of the leaves can tell you a great deal about the overall health of the orchid.

One of the most common causes of yellow leaves is too much light. If you have your orchid outside, especially where it’s in the midday sun, it can actually have burn spots on the leaves.

Move the plant to an area of filtered light and it will recover in no time. The leaves, however, will stay yellow and will not turn back to the bright green color. You’ll have bright green leaves again once the plant has recovered and there’s new growth.


Another reason for yellowing leaves is cold weather. Orchids do not like the cold so move them away from windows or areas where they are likely to be in a draft. If your orchids are outside, make sure you bring them inside if the temperature drops below 50 degrees F. Orchids need humidity to promote growth, but remember also that high humidity can cause fungus to grow. The ideal temperature for orchids to thrive is between 75-90 degrees F during the day and no lower than 55 degrees F at night.

Although not usually the case, too much watering can also cause yellowing of the leaves, but there will also be evidence of Black Rot as well. The only species that prefers constant damp conditions, is the Vandas, whereas the majority prefer to dry out in between watering. If your plant happens to be one in the majority, don’t water for a week or two and treat the plant with an anti-fungal preparation.

Make sure that the environment surrounding your orchids is toxin free, as fumes from products such as paint or cleaning fluids can also cause yellowing of the leaves.

Do you have enough nitrogen in your fertilizer? Your plant could be suffering from a nitrogen deficiency which is also a cause for yellowing leaves. Repot the plant if you think it’s necessary, and allow the orchid to establish a new root system. Once established, apply a nitrogen-based feed at regular intervals.

While waiting for new roots to develop, feed the foliage on a regular watering cycle of once every two weeks, misting the foliage so that minute water droplets cover the leaves like dew. This will return the foliage to a healthy green.


White Dendrobium Orchids



No flowering plant has captured the fascination and passion of people in quite the same way as orchids have. A century ago, many adventurers died hunting new and exotic orchids in remote and treacherous jungles and swamps. Orchids were sought not only for their showy flowers, but also for interest in their unusual pollination schemes, and for their pharmaceutical possibilities. Now, a bustling orchid trade valued as a billion-dollar global enterprise with millions of customers sees an estimated 30,000 wild varieties cataloged, along with thousands of new varieties, both hybrids and cloned. Despite rapid advances in germination and gardening techniques, orchid collectors are still esteemed for their successes in maintaining a blooming plant, and orchids have retained their mystique as temperamental, exotic plants.

Over time orchids have represented a variety of meanings, from love and pure beauty to wealth. They were believed by the Orient to aid in relieving lung illnesses and the Aztecs drank a concoction of orchids and chocolate to increase their strength. Over the years, the medicinal properties of orchids have no longer been used; instead these flowers have been cherished as exotic, beautiful creatures.

Perhaps the most cherished and given orchids, are the white dendrobium orchids. These delicate flowers have often been showcased at weddings, used in Hawaiian leis as a form of welcome, and giving as gifts to those that we want to share our love with.

Types of White Dendrobium Orchids

Dendrobium Hybrid: Snow White:

The stem of this flower is detailed with beautiful white flowers, typically 8-10 flowers per stem. In South Asia, these flowers are given as gifts for anniversaries as they represent purity, good health and positive spirits. These make beautiful cut flowers, and can often be seen as the primary orchid in wedding arrangements and vases.

Dendrobium Hybrid: Pagoda White

Sold in markets in Singapore and Thailand, these flowers make a gorgeous houseplant due to the natural curve in their stem. The star shaped flowers measure about 2.5 inches in diameter and are pure white with a touch of pink in the center. A full grown plant can be between 2-3 feet tall, with 7-12 blooms on a stem.


Dendrobium: Emma White

These delicate flowers open up with a pale green color, but within a week, change to the pure white form of the classic dendrobium orchid. The size of the flower is about 2.8 inches in diameter, and the potted plant will grow to about 28 inches in height. These flowers have a classic elegance to them, and so are often used to in baptismal ceremonies or to express enduring, romantic love.

Dendrobium: White Surprise

If you are looking for a larger white dendrobium flower, then this is the variety for you. This plant retains the purity of the white orchids, and makes a beautiful centerpiece.

Dendrobium Nobile: White

This is a higher maintenance dendrobium orchid, requiring bright light and a consistently humid environment. This plant requires regular watering and fertilization during its growing period, but once blooming needs to be slowly weaned off of both. This is an ideal plant for the buyer who is looking for a bit more of challenge.

For centuries orchids have been revered for their beauty, purity and exotic qualities, however there is nothing more cherished then the white dendrobium orchids. Dendrobium orchids are ideal plants for the beginner grower, as they retain their beauty while being fairly easy to maintain. In addition, they are the perfect flower for weddings, showers, baptisms or any other occasion where you want to express your admiration for love, beauty and purity.


Watering Orchids Correctly With These Simple Strategies



In order to have thriving orchids that last all year round there are some basic orchid care skills that you need to master to accomplish all your goals of orchid growing. One of the most important techniques in caring for these exotic flowers is to water orchids correctly. Watering orchids correctly will result in beautiful, colorful, and magnificent flowers that you can be proud of and show everybody your new found hobby. That is what I am going to discuss in this article, how to water orchids correctly.

One thing you need to know when it’s time to water orchids is every species of these plants has a basic type of watering in order to thrive. What I mean by this is that although every type of orchid is different and requires different watering frequencies there are some basic skills to properly watering any type of orchid flower. One mistake that people make when they try to take care of these delicate plants is over-watering them. Many are under the assumption that since they are predominantly found in tropical climates that they need to be consistently watered. This is simply not true and you need to be careful when applying the correct amount of water to ensure healthy leaves and flowers.


One method you can use when watering orchids is actually letting the plants’ medium to dry out. This is a rare strategy that many people don’t utilize enough and can help the health and vitality of all your orchid plants. Drying out the soil will also reduce the chance of the roots of your plant from getting infected with any diseases or fungi that could potentially harm your orchids. If you are using this method I would recommend watching your orchid for any sudden changes and if it start to wilt make sure to give it some water so that the orchid soil is moist, but not damp. A moist soil is what you should be aiming for when you water orchids.

Another excellent way for checking to see if your orchid needs to be watered is to measure the weight of your plant when you water them. Make a mental note of how heavy your plant is with the water in it. When the soil begins to look dry or maybe you need to water them again pick up your pots again and test the weight. If it feels like it has lost some weight then it may mean that your orchids need some more water. Watering orchids correctly by supplying them with enough moisture to keep the soil moist and avoid making the medium damp.

These are some tips to keep in mind when you water orchids in your home or garden. Keep these strategies in mind whenever you begin taking care of orchids now or in the future. Proper watering will result in beautiful flowers that will brighten your home.


Various Types of Orchid Pots



If you plan on growing your orchid plants in your home then you are going to need to choose the correct orchid pots in order to have these flowers blooming and flourishing for as long as possible. There are many factors that you need to know about in finding the pot for your orchids to live inside of and in this article you will learn about the various types of orchid pots that you can get for your plants. Here you will discover the different types of pots and what are the best ones for your specific plant right now.

Plastic Pots

The most popular container that you can use in your new hobby is plastic. There are many reasons they are so popular, but the main reason is that they are available in most stores and they are very cheap. You don’t need to spend much money on these types of orchid pots which makes this hobby much more fun and forgiving. You should always make sure that the particular plastic container you purchase has various holes for drainage and air circulation that you flowers will need to have for healthy blooms. If they are not equipped with holes on the sides and bottom then you should look for another pot until you find the right one.

Terra Cotta Pots

If you are a serious gardener and like growing orchids you may decide on the unique terra cotta pots that are also available in select stores in your neighborhood. If you are a person that likes giving their orchid plants lots of water or if you are having problems with your flowers becoming water logged then this may be the right type of orchid pots for you to use. They tolerate much more water because the material that these pots are made out of will evaporate water much more quickly and have better drainage than any other types of orchid pots.


Basket Orchid Pots

This is an unusual type of orchid pot that can be used within your home by hanging it from a window sill or other place in your home. These can also be hung outside of your home or in shady areas where your flowers will like to thrive for healthy and beautiful blooms. You can find these types of containers to be made of various materials such as metal wire, wood, or even sometimes potter material. They will provide your flowers with much more air circulation and better drainage than plastic pots. Although these orchid pots are great for these types of flowers they will cost much more than plastic pots that are found in most stores. You will also have to search for basket pots and are only found is specific garden outlets.

Other Facts about These Pots

The roots of these flowers can sometimes grow right through the drainage holes making it difficult for repotting correctly. You will have to try and avoid this from occurring if you want to keep these plants around for years to come. These are just some simple facts that you will need to know about the correct orchid pots for these exotic flowers.


Taste The Flavor Of Vanilla Orchids



Did you know that vanilla is an essence which comes from vanilla orchids, and is the only agriculturally profitable by-product extracted from orchids? Vanillin is harvested from the plant known as Vanilla Planifolia.

The vanilla orchid is a native to Mexico, but Madagascar is now the largest producer in the world. The plant grows as a vine attaching itself to existing trees, and if left alone will climb to the highest point of the tree with hardly any flowers.

One flower produces one fruit and the flavored compounds of vanilla are found there. The vanilla flower lasts only one day, sometimes less, so the vines have to be inspected daily, which is very labor intensive. The vine can be grown on wood such as trees in a forest, in a plantation on trees or poles, or in a shadehouse which increases the productivity.

Vanilla Planifolia flowers are hermaphrodites, which means that they carry both male and female organs. To avoid self-pollination, there is a membrane which separates these organs. There is only one species of bee which can naturally pollinate the flower, and that’s the Melipone bee only found in Mexico. This one species of bee had a 300 year monopoly pollinating the Vanilla Planifolia. They are also pollinated by the hummingbird.

In 1836, a botanist named Charles Francois Antoine Morren, was sitting on his patio in Veracruz, Mexico, drinking coffee, and he noticed black bees flying around his vanilla flowers sitting on his table. He watched them working their way under the flap inside the flower and transferring their pollen. He noticed that within a few hours the flowers closed up and a few days later, seed pods began to form. He immediately began experimenting with different ways to use hand pollination, but it wasn’t until 1841 that a slave named Edmond Albius who resided on Reunion, developed a simple hand pollination method which is still practiced today.


The Europeans and French transplanted the vines overseas, but could not find a substitute for the Melipone bee. Today they are cultivated so that they are at a convenient height for harvesting, and the only way they can pollinate the flowers is through artificial pollination.

The fruit, if left to ripen on the vine, dries out and the phenolic compounds crystallize giving it a diamond dusted appearance called “hoarfrost”. It is at this stage that it releases it’s distinctive vanilla smell. The fruit consists of tiny black seeds or specks.

The vanilla seed will not germinate without certain mycorrhizal fungi, so growers reproduce the plant by cutting off sections of the vine with five or six leaf nodes with a root opposite each leaf. The two lower leaves are removed and the plant is buried in loose soils at the base of a support. The remaining roots will cling to the support and will often grow down into the soil, which promotes the rapid growth of the plant under good conditions.

The vanilla plant is a perennial and can climb to 15 metres. It supports itself by the use of aerial roots. Its’ leaves grow between 8-25cm in length and they are fleshy and bright green in color. The flowers are yellow-green in color and are followed by 10-25cm long pendulous capsules, which are incorrectly referred to as “beans”.

Vanilla orchids grow best in hot, humid climates with adequate rainfall and well drained soil enriched with organic material.

The curing of the vanilla pod gave the world the delicious aroma that is so well loved throughout the world. It’s not only used as a delicious scent, but also used to flavor many foods and drinks. The vanilla “essence” was first discovered by the Aztecs who used the seeds to flavor their cocoa drinks.


Vanda Orchids Reward Owners With Gorgeous Blooms



If you’ve ever seen orchids associated with an advertisement for the Far East, chances are those flowers belonged to the Vanda genus. Vanda orchids are widespread in Asia; a Vanda is actually the national flower of Singapore! And outside of their native environments, these orchids are becoming popular imported flowers. All over the world, they are one of the most commonly used orchids for commercial undertakings and are quickly becoming a popular wedding and decorative flower as well.

The genus name “Vanda” is a testament to the orchid’s antiquity; it means “orchid” in Sanskrit. These orchids are found on trees and rocks throughout India, China, Indonesia and the Pacific Islands. There are about 50 species of vanda orchids, including the rare and highly prized Vanda coerulea, a naturally bluish-purple flower. Despite this exception, most Vandas are yellow or brown in color; there are types that are green, white and pink tinged, but yellow is by far the signature shade of this genus.

Most Vanda orchids are monopodial, which means they grow upward in one, straight shoot. The large majority of these flowers will adapt well to indoor life in a pot, although there are a few species that will not bloom indoors. If you keep a Vanda orchid indoors, it will most likely need a support system to help it remain upright. The orchid will grow little by little, adding a few new leaves each year. Vandas bloom fairly regularly–every two to three months–and the flowers last for at least two weeks. Most vanda orchids produce multiple flat flowers at the same time on one stem.

Caring for vanda orchids takes a certain amount of skill, so this varietal may not be a good choice for a first-time orchid buyer. They enjoy higher levels of humidity than most other kinds; you will have to make an active effort to keep the air moist enough for the flower to thrive. Placing a humidifier near your plant will do the trick, but these machines can be costly and unsightly. Alternatively, you could mist your plant a few times each day or place the pot atop a bed of rocks resting in water. If you use this last method, make sure you avoid direct contact between water and roots.


Vandas like bright light every day. A good method for ensuring your vanda orchid gets enough sunlight is to put it near an unobstructed window every morning, then move the plant after lunch to a shadier location. It’s not a good idea to leave any orchid in direct sunlight for too long; although vandas enjoy light, too much can still harm them.

Since most vanda orchids are epiphytes, a mix of moss, tree bark and nutrients will be the best substrate for them. Look for an epiphyte blend at your local garden store. Specialty substrates like this one can be pricey, but you’ll only have to repot your orchid every year or two, so the cost is negligible in the long run.

If you’re interested in a vanda orchid but want a specific color, think about finding a hybrid plant. Many vanda hybrids are beautiful shades of blue and purple. Whatever you choose, be mindful that Vanda orchids take time to mature and can be difficult to raise. If you grow them correctly, however, you’ll get a big payoff–multiple year-round blooms.


Types of Orchids for Beginners



OK, so you’ve been to the garden shop and the botanical conservatory, and you’re a new fan of the orchid. You probably fancy yourself as an orchid grower sometime down the road, but fear that they are too difficult to grow. We have some great news! Here are some types of orchids that are easy to take care of, and that we think new growers will really enjoy. These flowers will grow for you even while you’re still a “newbie” at taking care of orchids.

Where to start? How about Oncidium Intergenerics, which are types of orchids that beginners do quite well growing. Many bloom two times a year, and they have a lovely fragrance. They do need an abundance of light, and other care. But you can pick up the basics pretty easily.

Take a look at the Comnara Wildcat. This is the orchid that will give you the most reward for the least amount of effort. And they have blooming flowers for three months. What a handsome reward for such a small amount of work.

The Onicidium Sharry Baby has a very unique property – it has a chocolate smell! Is there a better smell than that? And this type blooms three times or so over the space of a year.

There are some members of the Cattleya type that are simple for you to grow. These are a little harder to light – most all of them need supplemental light – but they are hardy and can grow quite large. They have a shorter time span when they’re in bloom, but they are gorgeous.


Another good beginner orchid is Phragmipediums. These need a lot of bright light, even more than some of the other types. They are a bit more fragile to care for, too, as they have more specific fertilizer and water needs. If you grow this breed and its leaves turn brown, this means you’ve over-fertilized, so you’ll need to cut back on that a bit.

Before you head off to the garden store, you might want to consider a couple more orchid species. Paphiopedilum and the Phalaenopsis hybrids are the best beginner orchids, because they bloom very well in almost any windowsill garden. Neither of these two hybrids needs a great deal of light. Their requirements are very similar to those of the African violet. These rare orchids also adapt well to different levels of humidity.

With any types of orchids, be very careful not to over-water them, which is a common problem for new growers. That might cause them to rot. By the same token, be careful not to under-water them as well. Once or twice a week will generally suffice.

Orchids store nutrients and moisture in their roots and leaves. If you have a problem with either, it will show up pretty quickly. Keep a close eye, especially if you’re new to the game, and be alert for any sudden changes in the plant’s appearance.

These are some of the best types of orchids to care for if you don’t have much experience yet. With proper light, temperature, water and humidity, they will grace you with many years of loveliness in your home.


All About Tropical Orchids



The most common tropical orchids are:

Some species grow in soil, but the majority grow on trees or rocks, which makes them unique. Most of them come from the humid tropical rainforests of Asia, Australia and South America. The rainforests of the world provide a great environment for tropical orchids as they most typically live in filtered sunlight, which is the best medium for growing orchids.

If you decide you want to grow them, provide them with light but make sure it’s filtered so they don’t get exposed to direct sunlight. Vandas require the most amount of light because of their small shaped leaves. Dendrobiums, Cattleyas and Oncidiums prefer shadier spots or morning sun locations.

The main part of the orchid actually has more varieties than the floral ones. When you consider the habitats where they are grown it’s not surprising. Orchids can grow on the moisture rich floor of the rainforest, high up in the trees of the tropical rainforest where heavy rainfall is following by scorching sun, on rocks and in grassy areas. Orchids can adapt to any adverse environment, particularly in the case of water conservation.

If tropical orchids suffer from periodic water deficit, it’s not immediately obvious, as rainfall is not always continuous and heavy rainfall is mainly seasonal. When they grow on trees, twigs or rocks, the rainfall runoff is rapid and the sunshine which follows, dries them out quickly. Many orchids have adapted to these situations by growing one or more organs which helps them survive during periods of drought.

The leaf is another part which has been modified over time. A number of orchids have no green leaves and have been reduced to scales. Photosynthesis takes place in the flattened green roots. Some orchids such as the ghost orchid, are leafless and lack chlorophyll, cannot photosynthesize and obtain all of their nutrients from a fungus it is associated with. Most leaves from orchids are ornamental and one particular species called Macodes Sanderiana, show a sparkling silver gold veining on a light green background.


Life in the tropics can be very harsh for orchids, and can be very hostile at certain times of the year. Even in the tropical rainforest, orchids have to survive days or weeks without water, so have to drop their leaves and stems, which soak up the moisture on the ground, and soak it up through their roots. The roots have an actively growing tip with the older parts being covered in an envelope of dead empty cells. The tip protects the inner tissues which aid in the uptake of moisture from the atmosphere. This provides a blotting paper effect for the orchid.

Tropical orchids thrive best in day temperatures ranging from 75-90 degrees F and night time temperatures no lower than 55 degrees F.

Because orchids are well adapted to living outdoors, high up in the trees, it’s important when growing them indoors to place them in a well ventilated area. This ensures that the natural ventilation keeps the roots dry and free from moisture loving pests.

The chances of an orchid being pollinated are very scarce as they have devised a highly specialized system. Orchid flowers usually remain receptive for quite a long period and sometimes deliver pollen in a single mass. Once pollination occurs, thousands of ovules (small eggs) can be fertilized.

The orchid is known as a monocot with leaves which have parallel lines. Orchids produce one single flower, but most produce a large number of flowers. The orchid flower is a monocot and has two whorls of sterile elements. The outer whorl has three sepals while the outer whorl has three petals, with the sepals being similar to the petals and thus called tepals. Whereas primitive orchids used to have two or three stamens, but present day orchids have only one single stamen.

In several species of orchids the flowers all grow on the same side of the rhachis (spine). In one of the most spectacular groups, the stem is so contracted that the flowers all seem to come from the top of the flower stalk.


Silk Orchid Flower



Today, with the high price of orchids, more and more people are starting to take a look at silk orchards as a viable option to the real thing. This is even true among brides. It is no longer taboo to decorate a church with silk flowers or to walk down the aisle carrying them. Silk orchid flowers are a thing of beauty. Whether it is a single orchid or a bouquet, you will be able to find something suitable.

Many people are drawn to artificial flowers and silk orchids in particular because they love beautiful blooms and they don’t like the fact that the live flowers die. You will never have that problem with silk orchid flowers. They are going to be the same beautiful colors–orange, yellow, red, white, pink, purple, etc.–but they are never going to fade or die. Green foliage will always be green even if you a person who over-waters or under-waters if you are given a real plant.

Orchids represent love and hope and are a symbol of purity. Just as there are over twenty-five thousand different types of orchids, each with its own splendor, so it is with the silk orchid–you can find infinite variety and just about any combination that you desire. You can get one single long-stem orchid or a large bunch of colors that complement one another.

Today you might see a bride carrying one single flower or many. It is not at all unusual and even a little bit in vogue for a bride to carry one flower. Silk orchids represent refinement and a sense of purity. They bring a certain amount of joy to any occasion. It doesn’t have to be anything nearly as large as a wedding. Silk orchid flowers can change the disposition of any room in your home simply by their presence.


Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium orchids are often used in decorative bouquets. It is no wonder that the most popular types of orchids would also be the most desired among silk orchids. In this case, your silk Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis orchids will never droop or wilt. They also won’t ever need to be repotted or rotated between inside and outside locations because of weather concerns.

Making silk orchid flowers is really an art. Today it can be done with such accuracy that the difference of the look between a silk orchid flower and a live one is not even immediately obvious. Silk orchids can be very soft and delicate-looking. And, the truth is that silk orchids are rarely made of silk anymore. They are made of chemical composites just like everything else in the world from sports equipment to clothing.

A silk orchid flower is not only trouble-free when it comes to flower maintenance, it is also the preference of people who are trying to “go green,” or limit as much as possible their use of and pollution of our natural resources. No soil or water are used in silk orchids and perhaps, more importantly, no synthetic fertilizers to help the plants to grow and no pesticides or other chemicals to rid them of insects and diseases.

If you are unfamiliar with what can be accomplished today in terms of producing silk orchid flowers, go check them out either at flower shops or online. You will be truly amazed at the changes that have taken place just in the last decade to make silk orchids look alive.


Repotting Orchids



Sometimes repotting orchids is necessary for keeping the life and beauty in these exotic plants from time to time. It doesn’t take that much time to complete and is very easy to do if you have the exact steps that are needed. The Most Amount of time that this process could take is about 15 to 20 minutes and it could be much shorter once you understand exactly what you are doing. In this article you will learn all the steps that it takes to properly repotting orchids so that these flowers can thrive and bloom for many years to come.

The first thing that you will have to keep in mind is the different materials and supplies that you are going to need in order to properly complete these coming steps. Many tools that you will need include a small shovel, a hand rake, a sharp pocket knife, a pot, and a simple orchid soil mix. You can find most of these supplies in your local hardware or garden warehouse at a pretty decent cost. When repotting orchids you will have to make certain that all the tools are free from bacteria viruses. Some people use bleach to disinfect the tools that they will be using during this orchid care process. You will also want to cleanse your hands of any bacteria as well so you don’t spread any disease.

Take your new pot and place it to the side because you will be using this very soon. Put a little bit of the mix inside of this pot and just enough so that your orchid will have room inside of the pot. Now when removing the previous plant from its pot sometimes it may not want to come out. This is usually caused by leaving the plant to long in this pot or the roots are in there real tight. You are going to have to take it out in order to successfully begin repotting orchids, but avoid pulling on the plant. I prefer tapping the bottom of the pot because it will usually loosen up the soil that is inside. If this doesn’t work then you can always break the pot open to get at it.


Once you get the plant out of the pot you will need to inspect the orchid roots to make sure that there are not any dead roots or dying ones. It is okay when repotting orchids to remove any old debris that happens to be still attach to your orchids. Old roots are not useful anymore and will not serve much purpose for the new flowers that will emerge. Use the knife to cut off any useless material and clean them as well before placing them in their new home.

Start potting orchids by taking the flower and putting it inside of the new pot that we prepared beforehand. Now that the plant is inside of the new pot add some more mixture into the pot so that it is filled to the top and pack it down nice and firm for properly repotting orchids.