Vented Touch Pop

Vented Touch Pop

Check out this page if you are looking for Vented Touch Pop

Orchid Care 101 - No More Dead Orchids

.And you're looking for the magic recipe?

STOP OVERWATERING!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Orchid care is not difficult. But most new growers kill their plants with kindness. For new growers the key to success with these plants is simply to remember that orchids are different than your other houseplants. And as such require different care. Once you latch on to this concept you should see a marked increase in your success at keeping these beauties alive.

Orchid Care: Nature's Way

Look at one of your favorite beauties in the jungle. You will probably find it hanging on to some tree or rock for dear life. It's roots intertwined around any attachment it can find exposed for all the world to see. The humidity is higher than a kite, there is a breeze blowing all the time and when it rains those exposed roots dry out quickly after each shower.

If you find any soil at all around our jungle orchid's roots it will be a little humus that has accumulated in the protected crevices.

Orchid Care the Contrary Human Way

Humans being contrary (at least I am) have to do things differently. First we stick them in a pot full of rocks or bark or god knows what. Then we bring them into our dry home and expect them to toe the line and show off their beauty.

The SECRET of Orchid Care

The trick to being a good grower is reconciling this difference of nature's way and our way.

An you ask how do I do that? Maybe you are one of that disgusting group of people that just has to look at their plants and VIOLA, magnificent specimens. If this is you, go away, you don't need any help and your magic touch just makes me jealous.

Ok, those of you left know we have to work a bit to make these little jewels happy.

Now as you can see, we humans are doing it all backwards. We have the bottom of the plant too wet and the top too dry. Remember in nature the plant is surrounded by high humidity and the roots dry out quickly.

Saving the Roots

Yes we will start from the bottom and go up. You have to keep the mess down in the house so be sure and use a pot (this really makes your spouse happy). Now we need something in the pot. It must hold air and just a little bit of moisture. That means NO SOIL!

The best potting media to use, especially if you're new to orchid growing, is chunks of bark. The bark chunks have lots of voids to allow the air to flow around the roots and bark holds just a little water...yes, bark is almost perfection.

How often to water? Often enough to keep the plant from drying out but not so often that you rot the roots or in more useful terms about twice a week in the summer and every 7-10 days in the winter. The conditions in your house, the size of the pot and the species you are growing all have an effect on the watering interval. Be sure and check the individual culture sheet for the genera you are growing.

Now that we have a handle on the watering lets talk about fertilizing. How often and how much?

Always start with the old axiom: Fertilize weakly weekly. Use the orchid fertilizer weekly at about half the recommended strength. When using fertilizer always error on the weak side.

And ALWAYS water the plant before you fertilize...never put fertilizer solution on dry roots. If you do you won't have to worry about those roots any more.

Orchid Care Jungle Style

Now that humidity problem is just a little tougher. Our beautiful home conspires against us and our little beauties. The heater and the air conditioner are both major reducers of humidity in the typical home.

Now jungles don't have heater vents or air conditioner vents, so your orchid has never learned to handle this situation. The solution is easy, keep your plants out of the drafts caused by heater and air conditioner vents. Watch out for those ceiling fans, the downdraft from a ceiling fan can dry out any plant before you can say OH NO. And for parboiled orchid nothing works better than the top of the television.

Now just to confuse you. In the jungle where the plants are the happiest you will find a nice breeze blowing. The hint here is on our warm summer days, the gentle breeze that you find so enjoyable is also a treat for your orchids. Try a small fan but direct the breeze away from your plants.

Your job is to find those special spots in the house where your plants are happy. Lacking this (which is normal) provide for a higher humidity environment with the use of humidity trays, large grouping of plants or?

Yes, Light But How Much

The simple answer is enough but not to much. I know, I know you are getting dizzy from all these vague answers. But there is a lot of truth in them. Every genus and species is a little different in their light requirements. The individual care sheets can help you with how much is enough. But you should have a feel for when things are going well. Getting a feel for light is pretty easy.

Lets start with the gorgeous plant that just won't bloom. The leaves are a dark rich green and look great don't they? Yup a great looking foliage plant. But if you want to see flowers you got to get rid of the pretty foliage. What! You say. It's true a pretty dark green plant is a lazy plant. To get those beautiful flowers you have to make that plant work. Increase the light a little bit and watch the foliage. You're looking for a light green, a green with just the slightest hint of yellow or red in the background. Now stand back and watch those flowers pop out.

The Hot & Cold of Orchid Care

What temperature does my plant like? This is about the easiest question to answer. For many species if you're happy, they're happy. While this works for many of the orchids available in retail stores today there are exceptions. And it behooves you to check further about the species that you are growing.

Orchid Care at Home

Growing in the home is not always easy. But it's not that tough if you just pay attention to a few details. As you can see there is no right way. Do your best to avoid the wrong ways and you will be surprised how well things can work out.

There are many different roads to successful orchid growing. This simple guide will help you get started. As you gain experience and learn to "read" your orchid plants the growing options expand greatly. This ability will allow you to develop your own recipe.

Want more? Come on over and visit Orchid Magic A Home for those obsessed with orchids. At http://OrchidMagic.com you will find more articles on orchid care as well as a peek into the wonder and beauty of the orchid world.

 

About the Author

Thanks for looking at our Vented Touch Pop information.

Faucets