Sunday, January 4, 2009

Orchid Growing Tips You Need To Know

Extravagant beauty of an orchid flower makes one think that it must be impossible to grow orchids indoors. Well, that's not exactly true anymore thanks to the scientists and enthusiasts who decided to bust this myth. There have been more than 30,000 orchid species and hundreds of thousands of orchid hybrids recorded so far (and counting). It has been proven by hobbyists that indoors orchid growing is possible, and that anyone can do it if they are truly committed. There are all the necessary guides, tools and supplies available in today's market to support your efforts.

The minute you start considering this challenging yet very rewarding hobby you may say: "OK! Great, but exactly how do I grow orchids indoors? How do I pollinate an orchid? How to get an orchid to bloom? What kind of orchid care products do I need?" Here is your first and most important orchid growing tip - buy a good book on orchids. It will guide you through all the stages of home orchid growing.

To ensure flawless orchid growing process you need to consider the following main factors:

1. Soil. Wait, let's call it an orchid growing medium. Why? Because in most cases, it can be anything but soil or dirt. Many species of orchids grow in sand, pebbles, or even on the tree trunks. Some orchids thrive when attached to a piece of bark or cork. You can also use commercial growing mediums made from bark, charcoal or volcanic rock.

2. Lighting. This one's a little tricky. Simply put, no light - no blossom, too much light - burned orchid. You will need to maintain a perfect balance of light and shade to be able to enjoy your orchid plant to the fullest. Many hobbyists use more manageable light sources such as fluorescent or LED lights to make this part of orchid care easier.

3. Temperature. The average temperature requirements for the orchids are about 60-70 F. Although some of them will do just fine in a little cooler or hotter environments, the orchids should never be exposed to freezing or too high temperatures.

4. Watering. When watering your orchids, keep in mind that orchids tolerate being too dry rather than too wet. Too much water can cause fungus growth that will eventually kill the plant. The orchid can be watered generously as long as you don't let it soak for a lengthy time.

There are thousands of orchid species and hybrids. Each has its own set of qualities and needs. The above orchid growing tips have been provided as a general review only. Always consult the nursery professionals and your orchid growing book to ensure successful orchid growing experience.


By: Vick sutton
http://www.keywordarticles.org

No comments:

Post a Comment