How to Grow Orchids in the Garden
Orchids are beautiful flowers that are known as temperamental; for this reason they generally are grown in controlled environments. But orchids can grow, and thrive, in your garden – they just require a higher level of care than your average plant. Contrary to popular belief, orchids are very versatile and particularly enjoy environments with high humidity. You have plenty of orchids to choose from – there are more 30,000 species, and that doesn't count the hybrids available. While there are some general practices for growing orchids, for best results learn the specifics about those you cultivate. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose your orchids wisely. This entails assessing the environment of your garden (such as the relative humidity and average temperature) and matching it with the species of orchid that will thrive best in that setting. For example, the Cattleya variety does well in 55 to 90 degree Fahrenheit temperatures and requires 40 to 80 percent humidity, while the Phalaenopsis variety requires 65 to 85 degree temperatures and 40 to 70 percent humidity. Orchids grow in all kinds of soil – and some don’t even need soil. The majority of orchids are epiphytes, plants that subsist mainly on air. There are four classifications of orchids: epiphytes, lithophytes (that attach themselves to the surfaces of rocks), saprophytes (that grow in decaying fallen leaves), and terrestrials (that have root systems in the ground). Orchids do require environments with good drainage.
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Place your orchids where they are exposed to maximum amount of sunshine; orchids thrive in sunny conditions. You can determine if your orchid is reacting properly to the amount of sunshine by monitoring its leaves, which should be bright green. Dark green leaves are symptomatic of not enough light and reddish leaves of too much light. Certain varieties of orchids, such as oncidiums or dendrobiums, require more light, while other varieties, such as miltonias and phalaenopsis, to better with less light.
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Dig a hole approximating the depth of your root system and twice the width; center the orchid in the hole and fill it with a soil/fertilizer mixture. Various orchids require different fertilizers, but typically they prefer one along the lines of a tree bark mixture. Plant your orchids as soon as the weather is consistently warm; when the weather gets colder, bring them inside. The blooming of the orchid, and its duration, varies by species.
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Water the orchids based on your climate; typically, twice a week in warmer and drier locations and once a week in cooler climates. Always water your orchids in the morning to allow the soil to dry out during the day.
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References
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