Though beautiful orchids appear exotic, delicate, and temperamental, nothing could be further from the truth. This plant is so varied and appears in so many locations around the world that you can certainly find a beginner species that will work at home for you.
The Pure Basics That You Must Understand
Though you need to know some specialized things to successfully raise them, they do not require the attention as that of the popular, less exotic rose. When you become acquainted with the specific caring requirements for successful planting and cultivation.
This article will give the basics of potting and planting these flowers, but remember, the varieties are so vast that “one size” will not “fit all.” As you become more and more adept at working with them, you will learn which particular kinds of care will work best with each.
The Beginning of Your Quest to Growing Beautiful Flowers
When beginning your foray into the world of cultivating orchids, you will need to know several very specific things—which locations are best, which climates are required, how much humidity and light are necessary, and how much moisture must be supplied. These are all extremely important, but you can’t worry too much about that until you do the basic—getting your bulb or plant in a proper pot—for either outside or inside.
So you probably have questions about potting first, like—which kind of pot do you choose? A quick trip to your local nursery or other place that sells plants and containers will let you know what some of your choices are.
The Best Types of Pots You Should Use for Healthy Blooms
The cheapest and easiest to handle are the plastic ones. These are great for the indoors because they usually have at least one hole in the bottom. They need proper drainage, so the hole is quite important. But if you plan to propagate them outdoors, plastic pots are less than ideal because the wind can blow them over easily.
Clay Pots are Another Good Choice for You
Another pot you could choose is made of clay. These too have a hole in the bottom and sometimes even side holes, like those used for planter strawberries. Clay is very good in keeping your plant drained because water evaporates fairly quickly from clay and the beauty and taste of these pots add to the attractiveness of your plant.
Even Clear Ones Can be of Great Value
Clear polyethylene pots are also good, and though they might not drain quite as well or be as attractive as clay pots, they allow the plant’s roots to get sun. Last but not least are the basket style pots. For trailing types these often work best. The baskets are frequently already filled with sphagnum moss and other material that drains well.
Sometimes you can get them ready to go. What species or variety of orchid you are choosing will help determine specifically what choice you will make, and your garden specialist can help you with this specific item.
Soil That You Must Use for Successful Plants
Now on to the kind of potting soil or organic matter that you will use to anchor your plant into its new home. Don’t even consider using bought planting soil, soil from composting, or any other kind that you have probably used with other plants as this soil will hold too much water and will overpower the plant with too many nutrients.
What you need are one or more in a combination of these: fir bark, sphagnum moss, redwood bark, coconut husks, or tree fern fiber. While these more or less dry materials may be different from what you’d expect, stick with them. Though there are some other choices, these are the best.
Inorganic Choices That Can Also Help In Growing these
Flowers
Like many other kinds of plants, these plants need inorganic matter as well. Some possible choices are ones that drain well, and some that allow the roots to have more light. As you propagate more and more different kinds of flowers, you will learn which materials or mixtures of materials work best for each kind of orchid.
Some choices are charcoal, which is particularly good because it breaks down poisons; vermiculite, which allows the roots to get the proper light and which holds the proper amount of water, allowing the roots to breathe not too much and not too little; or heavy lava rock that permits the plant’s roots to breathe without breaking down. As with the organic matter, other choices do exist as well. Just ask your plant special from who you purchase your new plant.
Some Things You Should Know about Repotting Orchids
A special note about planting and transplanting them: when you see your plants getting “root bound” or “pot bound,” you don’t need to repot them. This type of plant, like some other tropical flowers, actually thrives on tight roots. Don’t repot them until it’s absolutely clear that it’s necessary. Remember, though they are not that hard, they do require a bit of specialized knowledge in order for the beginning enthusiast to be successful at growing these wonderful organisms.