How to Keep Track of My Orchids

Keep track of your orchids' needs in a spreadsheet.

The interesting thing about growing orchids is that once a grower experiences success with one, she typically wants another, and another. Before you realize what’s happening, you have a collection of orchids, with varying needs and bloom times. Keeping track of your orchids involves a little bit of organization to help you remember which orchid is which, when they last bloomed, when they were repotted, flower color and more. The American Orchid Society recommends the creation of clocks to help you keep track of your orchids. It’s a complicated method and unnecessary for the novice grower. A spreadsheet is quicker and more convenient.

Things You'll Need

• Tape, glue or craft sticks
• Spreadsheet software

Instructions

1. Assign each orchid a number. Tape or glue each orchid’s number to the bottom of its pot, or write the number on a craft stick and insert it into the pot.

2. Open your spreadsheet software.

3. In the header columns – the first row running the width of the page – type in the items you want to keep track of. For instance, knowing the genus and species of each orchid helps you determine how to care for them. You may also want to keep track of the cultivar name, when the orchid last bloomed, when it was repotted and fertilized. Some growers like to remember how much they paid for the plant, the flower color and size.

4. Find each plant’s corresponding number in the far left column, running the length of the spreadsheet. Type each orchid’s information under the corresponding headers.

Tips & Warnings

• Most spreadsheet software programs have a “sort” function, allowing the user to sort the information in the header columns. This is convenient for the grower that needs to check a fertilization schedule, or determine when her orchids will bloom next.

References

• American Orchid Society: Orchid Clock
• Coffs Harbor Orchid Society: News – August 2010
• Central Ohio Orchid Society: Reporter