Growing Orchids - Part 2

Growing Orchids

Growing orchids – another treat for lovers of exotic ornamental plants.

Introduction to Orchid Cultivation

Orchids belong among the most beautiful and sought-after flowering plants in the world. Their exotic appearance and diverse colors attract both beginners and experienced growers. While orchids may seem demanding at first glance, with basic knowledge of their requirements, you can successfully grow these magnificent plants at home.

Choosing the Right Orchid Species

For beginners, we recommend starting with less demanding species such as Phalaenopsis (moth orchid), which is the most popular orchid for home cultivation. Other suitable species include:

  • Cattleya – known for its large, fragrant flowers
  • Dendrobium – diverse genus with various growing requirements
  • Oncidium – produces numerous small flowers
  • Paphiopedilum (lady's slipper) – terrestrial orchid with interesting flowers

Light Requirements

Orchids need sufficient light, but direct sunlight can damage their leaves. The ideal location is near an east or west-facing window where they receive bright indirect light. In winter months or in darker spaces, you can supplement with artificial lighting using specialized grow lights.

Signs of Incorrect Lighting:

  • Too little light – dark green leaves, lack of flowering
  • Too much light – yellowing or burnt leaves

Temperature and Humidity

Most orchids prefer temperatures between 18-24°C during the day, with a slight drop at night. This temperature difference often stimulates flowering. Humidity should ideally be between 50-70%, which can be achieved by:

  • Placing pots on trays with water and pebbles
  • Regular misting (but not directly on flowers)
  • Using a humidifier
  • Grouping plants together

Watering Orchids

Watering is crucial for successful orchid cultivation. Overwatering is the most common cause of orchid death. General rules:

  • Water approximately once a week in summer, less frequently in winter
  • Allow the substrate to partially dry between waterings
  • Use room temperature water, ideally rainwater or filtered water
  • Water in the morning so excess water can evaporate during the day
  • Never leave water standing in the pot saucer

Immersion Method:

Many growers prefer the immersion method – place the pot in a container of water for 10-15 minutes, then allow it to drain thoroughly.

Substrate and Repotting

Orchids grow in a special orchid substrate that differs from regular potting soil. It usually contains:

  • Pine bark
  • Perlite or vermiculite
  • Sphagnum moss
  • Coconut fiber
  • Charcoal

Repot orchids every 2-3 years or when the substrate decomposes. The best time is after flowering when new roots are starting to grow. Choose transparent pots that allow you to monitor root condition and enable photosynthesis.

Fertilizing

Orchids have modest nutrient requirements. Use specialized orchid fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio. Fertilize:

  • During the growing season (spring-summer) every 2 weeks
  • During the dormant period (autumn-winter) once a month or not at all
  • Always use half the recommended dose
  • Never fertilize dry orchids – water first

Encouraging Flowering

To stimulate flowering in orchids:

  • Provide a temperature difference between day and night (about 5-7°C)
  • Reduce watering after growth completes
  • Ensure sufficient light
  • Be patient – some species flower only once a year

After Flowering Care

When orchid flowers fade:

  • Phalaenopsis – cut the stem above the second or third node to encourage reblooming
  • Other species – usually cut the entire stem at the base
  • Reduce watering and fertilizing
  • Allow the plant to rest

Common Problems and Solutions

Yellow Leaves:

  • Natural aging (lower leaves)
  • Overwatering
  • Too much direct sun

Wrinkled Leaves:

  • Insufficient watering
  • Damaged roots
  • Too low humidity

Lack of Flowering:

  • Insufficient light
  • Lack of temperature difference
  • Over-fertilizing
  • Plant too young

Pests and Diseases

Orchids can be attacked by:

  • Scale insects – remove mechanically, use insecticidal soap
  • Spider mites – increase humidity, use appropriate treatments
  • Mealybugs – remove with alcohol-soaked swab
  • Root rot – caused by overwatering, remove affected parts and repot

Tips for Successful Growing

  • Observe your plants regularly and respond to changes
  • Keep a growing journal to track watering and fertilizing
  • Don't move orchids unnecessarily when preparing to flower
  • Provide good air circulation, but avoid drafts
  • Be patient – orchids grow slowly but reward you with beautiful flowers

Conclusion

Growing orchids may seem challenging at first, but with basic knowledge of their requirements, anyone can enjoy these beautiful plants. The key is finding the right balance between light, water, temperature, and humidity. Each orchid is individual, so observe your plants and adjust care to their specific needs. With patience and proper care, your orchids will reward you with magnificent flowers that will brighten your home for many years.

Growing Orchids

Orchids are monocotyledonous plants from the orchid family. Their cradle can be considered to be probably Asia of the middle mountain ranges, where about one hundred million years ago the first proto-orchid saw the light of day. That Mother Nature chose the right direction of development in this case is confirmed by the fact that orchids have colonized all continents. Thanks to this, they are one of the most numerous plant families in the world. Their extraordinary plasticity, as well as their ability to use the best that nature can offer for their existence, has contributed to this.

The most fundamental way in which orchids differ from other plants is in their method of reproduction. Here, orchids have bet on seed quality. Their number per plant is unbeatable. In fact, several million seeds can be produced in a single ovary. However, in order to produce such a number of seeds, their size had to be reduced to a minimum. An orchid seed therefore consists only of an embryo and a coat and lacks any storage substances necessary for the development of a germinating seedling. And this is where another evolutionary trick comes into play. The seed allows itself to be penetrated by the hyphae of a specific fungus and draws from it the substances necessary for its development until the seedling is able to produce them itself through photosynthesis.

Subsequently, a cascade of other more or less original adaptations is triggered. At first glance, the most striking is the attractiveness of the flowers. The extremely high colour and shape diversity of flowers also indicates a high degree of specialization for pollinators. These can be bees, bumblebees, butterflies, flies, moths, etc. One specific species of orchid can be pollinated by only one or a few species of insects. The superficial coloration is further enhanced in some species by shape and scent. In some species, for example, the flowers imitate females of certain hymenopteran species, and they also emit a scent similar to the pheromone of this insect, and the deceived male then pollinates the flower while attempting to copulate. As a result of this co-evolution, there is a strong mutual bond between the insect and the plant, so the extinction of one insect species can mean the disappearance of several species of orchids.

Equally original in the vast majority of orchid species is the adaptation to life outside the soil. In order to get as high as possible and away from the competition of ordinary plants, tropical species have adopted an epiphytic lifestyle. This means that they have settled on tree branches. They are therefore often mistakenly considered parasites. The truth, however, is that they use the branch or trunk only as a habitat and grow as honestly as other green plants. This way of life has also necessitated further adaptations. Above all, there is a varying degree of succulence, because the water supply at such a site is very uneven and good water management is vital. Orchids therefore very often have thickened leaves and part of the stem of many genera has transformed into the so-called pseudobulb.

Adaptation must be taken into account when growing orchids. This primarily concerns botanical species, while commercially produced hybrids are becoming increasingly undemanding and tolerant to cultivation errors through careful selection of parent species. The truth is that orchids are admired mainly for the unusual beauty of their bizarre and sensually appealing flowers, and everything else only completes the aura of their uniqueness. Although only a tiny fraction of species is used for cultivation purposes, the number of hybrids runs into tens of thousands and perhaps even hundreds of thousands, in the most fantastic combinations and shapes, so they can delight the eyes of every flower lover with their exotic beauty.

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