How to Grow Hybrid Epiphytes

There are basically two variations of orchid. One is terrestrial and the other is the epiphytes. The terrestrial grow, just as the name implies, in the ground. The epiphytes, however, are an unusual lot and they attach themselves to trees and draw all necessary items for living from the air around them. They use the trees only to remain in the air and not as a host.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Growing medium
• Humidifier
• Fan
• Water
• Appropriate light
• Fertilizer

1. Use moss, coconut fiber or bark as your growing medium, or hook them to a tree. These plants do not tolerate soil. They get all the nourishment they need from the air and are specialized in that manner. Any potting medium you use is strictly to help support the plant, not feed it.

2. Keep the room moist, at least 60 percent humidity. The higher the better for the orchid. The humidity of most rooms is between 30 and 40 percent. In the winter in cold areas, it may even be lower. If you have low humidity in your home and want to grow hybrid epiphytes, you need to get a humidifier.

3. Move the air. In its natural conditions, the orchid grows in an area that allows it to get plenty of air movement and it thrives there. You want to give it conditions that resemble its native habitat, so keep the air circulating. This prevents cold spots and hot spots from forming on the leaves and improve its overall health. A small fan in the area is all that you need.

4. Change the daytime temperature and nighttime temperatures. Orchids need about a 10 degree shift in temperature when the sun sets. Make sure that you lower the temperature at night to between 55 and 75 degrees. If you want to grow hybrid epiphytes with beautiful blooms, the daytime temperature should be between 65 and 80 degrees and always lower at night.

5. Water sparingly. You don't want water to sit in the pot, but orchids occasionally need to have any dissolved salts washed away. They hate those salts. (Don't use soft water.) Look for crinkled leaves as a sign that watering is necessary. Soggy rotten roots are a give away that too much water is given.

6. Give the plant the right amount of light. With too much light, the leaves become spotted and dark brown and yellow appear on the leaves. If you give it too little light, the leaves turn a deep emerald green. These plants can live in areas where too little light exist but they don't flower. Watch the plant for clues to the right amount of light.

7. Feed the plant a balanced fertilizer every few weeks. If it's in low light, it needs less than in the brighter lights. If you have the plant in a tree's bark, you need a high nitrogen food.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use soft water on your epiphytes.