How to Get Started Growing Orchids

Orchids are a beautiful addition to your house. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and brighten up any room. Orchids come in many varieties. They have long lives and are fairly disease resistant.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Planter
• Orchid food

1. 
    

   If you are potting your Orchid, any type of planter is fine. ie: plastic, clay etc. Orchids need to be planted in a medium such as a mixture of ground fir bark, coconut shells, ground tree fern and peat moss. There are many commercial mediums available specifically for growing Orchids. Most mixtures are reasonably priced and can be found at most gardening centers.

2. 
    

   Fill the pot with the Orchid in it almost to the rim, make sure the roots are covered. Pack fairly tightly, enough to hold the plant upright. Water lightly, mist morning and night until the roots take hold. After the roots have established, water only as necessary. Even though Orchids are tropical plants they don't require constant watering. Depending on the humidity in your house, water every week or so.

3. Orchids are air plants. They need a lot of air circulation and very good drainage. Never let your Orchids sit in water. If they sit in water, the roots will rot.

4. Orchids are comfortable at temperatures from room temperature down to cooler than room temperature.

5. Orchids do very well sitting on a sunny window sill. If the leaves develop black spots or start to brown, move them further back from the window sill, still allowing them to get plenty of light.

6. Never remove the flowers from your Orchids. Let the dead flowers fall off. Do not cut the stems until the have turned completely brown and are brittle, cut them back to the base of the plant or as close as you can get.

7. 
    

   Use a thin sturdy stick to prop up the shoots of your Orchid. I use dollar store hair clips (like the one pictured) to attach the shoot to the stick.

8. 
    

   I find the best Orchid food is the commercially made food. It contains the right mixture of nutrients. Follow package directions.

Tips & Warnings

• It takes 3 to 5 years for an Orchid to reach maturity and flower.
• A light dusting of cinnamon can be used to control insects, do not use too much because you will burn your Orchid.
• Only repot your Orchid every 2 years or more.

[cclofmead]

on 9/13/2009 Great tips for growing Orchids! I need to grow something in my house this winter! 5*

[sonni57]

on 4/21/2009 I agree that orchids are beautiful thanks for the good tips on how to grow them.

[athome]

on 4/20/2009 thanks for the info on growing Orchids.

[carmensjones]

on 4/18/2009 How to Get Started Growing Orchids is right on time! orchids are my favorite flowers but i have always been scared to buy or grow them so i have fake ones. maybe i will starting trying to grow them