Before buying an orchid, inspect the plant carefully for any signs of pests and diseases. A healthy orchid will have medium-green leaves, new growth and white roots. Avoid plants that seem sick or dying, since they may be infested with pests or diseases that can be transmitted to other orchids or houseplants.
Orchids are generally priced according to their size. Be aware that seedling orchids may not bloom for several years, so you may want to
purchase a larger plant that will bloom sooner.

Sources

Orchids can be purchased at retail garden centers, mass merchandisers, orchid nurseries and by mail order catalog. Orchid shows are an excellent source for plants. The plants are usually healthy and vendors are eager to share cultural information and growing tips. Many excellent reference books on how to grow and care for orchids are available. Local orchid clubs and societies are excellent sources for information.

Oncidium (on-SID-ee-um), or Dancing Lady Orchids are more difficult to grow than Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum or Cattleya orchids, but their abundant sprays of yellow flowers make them worth the effort . Oncidiums are becoming increasingly popular as new and easy-togrow hybrids are developed. Some of the new hybrids include Oncidium Grower Ramsey, Oncidium Sweet Sugar and Oncidium Taka. The genus Oncidium includes about 600 species of epiphytic plants that are native to the New World Tropics.

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Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum (paf-ee-oh- PED-ih-lum), or Slipper Orchid, is also an excellent choice for the beginner. Themost unusual, yet beautiful flowers in the orchid family can be found in this genus of nearly 60 species. They originate within a range from Northern India to Southern
China and Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

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    Phalaenopsis (Fal-en-OPsiss), or Moth Orchid, is the most popular and one of the easiest plants for beginners. Most of the 44 species in this genus originate from the Philippines. They range in color from white, pink, yellow and red to green. They may also be striped or
spotted. Phalaenopsis, also called phals, send up long, arching sprays that may contain as many as 20 to 30 blooms. They are long-blooming plants, sometimes blooming for up to four months.

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The most common mistake beginning orchid growers make when choosing their first orchid is to purchase the showiest plant.
Unfortunately, the showiest orchids are often the most difficult to grow. Four of the most popular orchids are Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis,
Paphiopedilums and Oncidiums. These orchids are not only beautiful, but they are among the easiest to grow.

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Viruses

Unfortunately, viruses are very difficult to identify. The most common symptoms are deformed flowers, streaking foliage, veinal discoloration, yellowing, stunted growth and death. Viruses cannot be cured. Any orchid with a virus should be destroyed to prevent
its spread to other plants. Viruses may be prevented by keeping the growing area clean, using sterile pots and growing media, sterilizing all
pruning instruments and keeping your plants free of aphids, since they can transmit viruses.

Pest Control

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a program designed to minimize (not eliminate) the use of chemical controls in the environment. IPM is not only a benefit to the environment, but it is also economically beneficial, since chemical pesticides and fungicides are often expensive. The success of IPM relies on frequent monitoring and inspection of plants. By carefully monitoring and inspecting, most pests and diseases can be identified at a manageable stage; therefore, the need for potent chemicals is eliminated or reduced. Once a pest or disease has been identified, the first response is to handpick the insect, or cut away diseased tissue. Traps, soaps and oils are the second alternative. The last resort recommended would be the use of botanical pesticides/ fungicides and then chemical pesticides/fungicides.

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The idea of this article is to put to rest the thought that you must have a complete Laboratory setup to germinate Orchid Seed.
Orchid Seed can be germinated with a few simple items, most found in any ones kitchen.

You will need the following items :

-2 linen Tea Towels - White King Bleach - 1lt size Orchid Medium ( advertised in all Orchid Magazines) - small 10ml glass bottles/jars - Calcium hypochlorite (CaHc)

-1 litre Demineralised water - Bucket - 6 x 250ml jam jars - disposable gloves - Pressure Cooker - Coffee filter paper - small container egg cup size.
To start with you need to do the following two things:

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Advices about how to use a fertilizer in your orchid potting soil in a instructional video on orchid plant care.

The presence of pests or disease on orchids is an indication that something is wrong with the orchid’s environment.
Perhaps the plants are placed too close together, preventing adequate air movement, or dead leaves and other plant debris are littering the
area. Plant stress may also lead to pests and diseases. The plants may be stressed from improper watering, overfertilization, low humidity,
incorrect potting mix, lack of light or extreme temperature changes.

These factors should be considered when a pest or disease is identified and corrected to prevent further problems. For assistance in
identifying and controlling pests and diseases, contact your county Extension agent.

Insects

Insects do not present significant problems in growing orchids. The most common insect pests are mealybugs, scale, aphids, thrips, spider mites, fungus gnats, slugs and snails. If an infestation is spotted early, the insects can be hand picked off the plant. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol can also be effective. Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are effective against larger infestations. More potent chemical insecticides should be used as a last resort, as they are often very expensive, they may kill beneficial insects and they can damage many other orchid species. Be sure to follow label instructions when using any pesticide.

Fungal and Bacterial Disease

Fungal diseases arenusually easy to control. Phytophthora root rot and Pythium root rot are among the most common fungal diseases of orchids. Botrytis blight is a common fungal disease that causes discoloration of the flowers. Fungal diseases can be identified by brown-to-black, ringed spots on foliage. The best way to control disease is by prevention. Keep the growing area free of plant debris, avoid
wetting the foliage and eliminate standing water. When a disease is present, remove and destroy the effective foliage.

Fungicides may be used as a last resort, but as with any other potent chemical pesticide, be sure to follow label instructions. Soft, black, water-soaked spots on the foliage indicate bacterial diseases. Bacterial diseases cannot be cured with fungicides; therefore, plants with bacterial diseases should be destroyed.

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Orchids are becoming increasingly popular as flowering houseplants due to improved cultivars and affordability. Watch a real video with a common orchid. Beautifull.

Fertilization

Fertilizer requirements for orchids depend largely on the type of plant being grown, and the type of growing media in which the orchid is growing. A good general rule is to apply fertilizer once a week while the plant is producing new growth. As the new growth begins to mature, decrease fertilization. Discontinue fertilizing entirely when the plants become dormant, or stop producing new growth. A good practice is to water at least once a month with plain water to prevent root burn from overfertilization.

Specially formulated orchid fertilizers are available that are already diluted. Follow the label directions exactly when using orchid fertilizers. Equally balanced fertilizers such as 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 can also be used, but these fertilizers must be diluted to one-quarter strength before application.

Orchids planted in bark require higher nitrogen rates than plants in other growing medias, so a ratio of the old growing media and rinse the roots under tepid water. Before repotting, trim off any dead roots, dead or yellowed foliage, dead flower spikes and dead or rotting psuedobulbs (a thickened stem on some types of orchids that is used to store water). Replant the base or the crown of the orchid at the same level it was growing prior to repotting. To avoid spreading pests and disease, use a clean workplace, sterile pots, sterile growing media and never transfer soil from one plant to another.

Containers

Drainage is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting containers for your orchids. Containers designed especially for orchids have slits down the side for added drainage . Some containers have drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. If these holes are too small, they can be enlarged. Clay and plastic are the most popular materials for 20-10-10 or 30-10-10 fertilizer is recommended.

Growing Media

Drainage and aeration are the two most important factors to consider when choosing a growing mix. Special blended media can be purchased at most retail garden centers for growing orchids. These mixes contain fir bark, peat moss and either perlite or vermiculite. Many orchid growers prefer mixing their own growing mix. There are several types of growing media to choose from, such as tree fern, redwood bark, cork, sphagnum peat moss, Osmunda, charcoal, Rockwool, polystyrene foam, rock culture and sand. The growing media
used is a personal preference, depending upon growing conditions and environmental factors of the grower.

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Water

The number one cause of death in houseplants is overwatering. Orchids are no exception. Most orchids prefer the growing media to dry
between waterings. There are several methods to determine when a plant needs watering. Insert your finger about 1 inch into the soil near the center of the container.

If the soil feels dry, the plant needs water; if it is wet, wait. You can also pick up the pots to compare the weight of a dry pot versus a wet pot. The pot will be lighter when it is dry. It is better to soak the plant thoroughly and occasionally than to water frequently with small amounts of water. To thoroughly water an orchid, place it in a sink and add lukewarm water until the water runs freely from the bottom of the pot. Avoid using cold water (below 50F), since this can damage roots and can kill root hairs. About twice a year, put your plants in the shower, and run warm water over them for several minutes to clean the dust off the foliage.

Humidity

Orchids love humid conditions. They prefer a range of 50-70 percent relative humidity. There are several ways to increase the humidity in the orchid’s environment. The simplest method is to place several plants close together to increase the humidity of the air surrounding the
orchids. Plants can also be placed on trays containing a layer of pebbles or small gravel.

Fill the tray with just enough water to fill the spaces between the gravel particles. The water in the gravel will increase the humidity. Never allow orchids to sit directly in water, since this can cause root disease. You can also increase the humidity by placing the plants in a bathroom window, by using plastic containers instead of clay pots, or you can purchase a humidifier. Air conditioners and heaters dry the air, so avoid placing orchids near vents or ducts.

Air Circulation

Air movement is also important to grow orchids successfully. Air movement helps to decrease the incidence of fungus diseases and bacteria, and it aids in supplying carbon dioxide, which is necessary for the plant to photosynthesize. Most orchids placed in a windowsill will receive adequate air circulation.

Tags: growing orchids, orchid pictures, about orchids,  orchid culture

The cultural requirements within the orchid family vary greatly. The following information is a general guide for plants in the orchid family. Cultural requirements for specific genera may differ slightly.

The most common reason an orchid fails to flower is inadequate light. The plant may grow and appear healthy, but if there is not sufficient light, it probably will not bloom. In the horticulture industry, light intensity is measured in footcandles (fc). A bright sunny day outdoors might yield 10,000 footcandles. A window indoors, with northern exposure, might yield as little as 100 fc. Orchids are classified into three groups according to their light requirements: high light (3,000 or more fc), medium light (2,000-3,000 fc) and low light (1,200-2,000 fc).

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General Informations about Orchids

Orchids are becoming increasingly popular as flowering houseplants due to improved cultivars and affordability. Once considered a rich person’s hobby, orchids are now more affordable, thanks to recent advances in propagation techniques. Since the first attempt to grow
orchids in the mid-1700s, they have had a reputation for being difficult to grow; however, many orchids are as easy to grow as houseplants. Orchids are quite resilient, and can survive many years in the home with proper care. Continue Reading »