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• Blue Orchids
  Posted on Saturday, April 4th, 2009 in blue orchids - Comments: (0)
  photo credit: sakura_chihaya+Blue Orchids: How To Grow ThemA blue orchid is something that you should value, because it’s actually a rare orchid. Some blue orchid varieties are even on the brink of extinction because of destruction to their natural environment.For novice growers, blue orchids can be a challenge to grow. But with patience and the right information, they’re able to produce flowers thrice a year, with each bloom lasting over a month.
• Care of Orchids
  Posted on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 in caring for orchids - Comments: (0)
  photo credit: Pu3W1tChHow To Best Take Care of OrchidsAlthough they inspire awe, most people would rather admire orchids rather than take care of them. There seems to be a lingering perception that it’s difficult to take care of orchids. But nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s relatively easy to take care of orchids, especially if you know how to read.
• How To Care For Phalaenopsis Orchids
  Posted on Sunday, April 5th, 2009 in phalaenopsis orchids - Comments: (0)
  photo credit: BitmanPhalaenopsis orchids are unique from other orchids in that their flowers look a lot like a moth or butterfly. And that’s why they’re called moth orchids. But aside from their peculiar shape, moth orchids are also different in that they bloom for over three months. If you plan on growing orchids, you’d be glad to know it’s one of the easiest orchids to care for.
• How to Take Care of Orchids
  Posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 in caring for orchids - Comments: (0)
  photo credit: lzaza2000How To Take Care Of Orchids: Find Suitable HousingJust like humans, orchids actually need suitable housing. This need is particularly acute for orchid plants that have been transplanted from the wild and into blissful domestication. As such, knowing how to how to take care of orchids requires unlearning some of the knowledge that you might have acquired while growing other flowers.
• Purple Orchid
  Posted on Monday, April 6th, 2009 in purple orchid - Comments: (0)
  photo credit: di_the_huntressPurple OrchidThe early purple orchid (Orchis Mascula) grows in Northeast Africa and across Mediterranean Europe. Like several other orchid species, the purple orchid naturally contain a nutritive starch. In fact, in Southern Europe, they are collected and then dried to produce flour that’s mixed with other ingredients to produce a drink called salep.Grow purple orchids like you would grow any other orchid.

photo credit: Pu3W1tCh

How To Grow Orchids Bacteria And Virus-Free

Just because you failed at growing orchids in your garden, it doesn’t mean that you will never be successful at it.  If you want to how to grow orchids and successfully at that, arm yourself with knowledge.

You shouldn’t limit yourself to basic orchid gardening knowledge. Knowing how to grow orchids also means protecting your plants from  dangerous bacteria and fungi that usually affect orchids. At the very least, keep your place clean. It also pays to regularly visit the site of your orchids and clear it of any debris from other plants since they are the most common sources of orchid-damaging bacteria and fungi.

Viruses are also another cause for concern on how to grow orchids. Once your orchid is afflicted with viruses, it will be very difficult to nurse your orchids back to life. Prevent viruses from attacking your orchids by using a torch or corrosive liquids to scorch virus sources.  If this isn’t effective, you can always use the many anti-virus liquids in the market.

If you are a newbie and aren’t too sure about how to use anti-virus solutions, simply make a milk solution. Mix 20%  non-fat dry milk with water then use dipping tools to soak your orchids in the milk solution for two to three minutes.

photo credit: joguldi

Orchids For Sale

If you’re buying orchids for the first time, you might be surprised at the versatility of orchids. Unlike roses, orchids come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Since there are over 30,000 species of orchids, you be spoilt for choice. So, which orchid should you choose? Well, it all really depends on your needs.

There are colorful orchids and then there are bland-looking orchids like the Cattleya. Your florist should have a wide variety of orchids to suit a particular mood or occasion. The good thing about orchids is that there are no meaning attached to them, unlike in roses were red roses mean love while yellow means friendship.

Let your imagination soar when you°re buying orchids, because after all is said, orchids simply enhance the kind of bouquet or floral arrangement you have in mind. But a singe orchid alone in a glass vase does command more attention than an orchid lumped with other flowers in a bouquet.

The most common orchids are the Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum and between the two of them are orchids in different varieties ranging from the very large to the very small. Check with your florist what are their orchids for sale.

photo credit: unforth

Types of Orchids

If thereís one thing that should be said about orchids, it is itís the biggest flower family in the plant kingdom. The Orchidaceae family is composed of 30,000 distinct species. To keep them organized, scientists have grouped orchids in taxinomic units called “genera”. A generaís grouping is based on similar characteristics of the member orchids, like the natural habitat, the shape and form of the plant, leaves, blossoms, or some other similarity.

With over 30,000 species to classify, it is no wonder that even in the scientific community, standarization of the orchidsí classification system continues to be an ongoing issue. Among hobbyists, orchid growers, and the scientific community, the classification system developed by Robert Louis Dressler is currently the classification standard. Dresslerís classification has was initially listed in 1981 and was modified three times, one in 1986 and twice in 1990 (called 1990a and 1990b versions).

Orchids plants are classified according to their water requirements. Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium and Odontoglossum need a moist environment year round. Cattelya, Dendrobium and Oncidium only need water when they are actively growing. On the other hand, the vanda Ascocend does not need to be watered at all.

photo credit: r0sita are one of the most popular types of orchids, having 40 species that have caused the growth of thousands of hybrids.

photo credit: lzaza2000

How To Take Care Of Orchids: Find Suitable Housing

Just like humans, orchids actually need suitable housing. This need is particularly acute for orchid plants that have been transplanted from the wild and into blissful domestication. As such, knowing how to how to take care of orchids requires unlearning some of the knowledge that you might have acquired while growing other flowers.

To successfully grow orchids, you need the proper mix of food, light, heat, and water. Although all living things need the proper mix of food, light, heat, and water, their proportion and quality radically differs in the case of orchids. How much of each would your orchid need? Well, it really depends on its natural habitat. And in knowing how to take care of orchids, a good rule of thumb is to replicate their natural environment as much as possible.

Most epiphytic orchids come from tropical or subtropical regions where atmospheric moisture is abundant and where intense sunlight is moderated by dense forests. Tropical orchids thriving in rain-swept jungles cling to trees and grow out long roots. They get their nutrients from moisture-soluble minerals in the air as well as from humus in the forks of tree trunks.

Still, other orchids grow on barren rocks, where they can be subjected to drenching rains and drying winds. The constant shifting of rain-bearing clouds temper the sun°Øs heat in the regions where they grow.

photo credit: di_the_huntress

Purple Orchid

The early purple orchid (Orchis Mascula) grows in Northeast Africa and across Mediterranean Europe. Like several other orchid species, the purple orchid naturally contain a nutritive starch. In fact, in Southern Europe, they are collected and then dried to produce flour that’s mixed with other ingredients to produce a drink called salep.

Grow purple orchids like you would grow any other orchid. Keep in mind that the number one cause of death is over-watering. A good practice for watering your orchid is to run tepid water through the purple orchids pot for several seconds until you see water flowing through the drain holes at the bottom. If your orchid is part of a flower arrangement, take out the orchid’s individual pot and water in the same way.

Aside from the early purple orchid in Northeast Africa and across Mediterranean Europe, there are other types of purple orchids. Endemic to Western Australia is the Elythranthera brunonis or the purple enamel orchid. Glossodia is another genus of purple orchids in Australia.

The Glossodia purple orchids are hard to cultivate, and any attempt at growing them through in-vitro fertilization has yielded in very poor results, and plants uprooted from their natural environment last only a few years.

photo credit: Bitman

Phalaenopsis orchids are unique from other orchids in that their flowers look a lot like a moth or butterfly. And that’s why they’re called moth orchids. But aside from their peculiar shape, moth orchids are also different in that they bloom for over three months. If you plan on growing orchids, you’d be glad to know it’s one of the easiest orchids to care for.

Here are some tips in caring for Phalaenopsis Orchids.

Light

Moth orchids only need bright yet indirect sunlight. Never expose your orchids to strong direct sunlight, unless if you want yellowish-green leaves. A healthy moth orchid has a bright green leaves. If it has dark green leaves, you need to give your moth orchid more light.

Temperature

Although they are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, moth orchids do better in high rather than low temperatures. For best results, keep temperature between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not expose your moth orchid to temperatures lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit  or higher than 90 degrees. When your orchid is blooming, keep the temperature above 70 degrees at all times.

Water

Except for their leaves, Phalaenopsis moth orchids don’t have anything to store water. Because of this, proper watering is critical to their health. Your orchid’s potting medium determines how often you should water. With a peat mixture, you’ll know it’s time to water if the top inch is dry. Do not water the center of the orchid so the crown won’t rot.

Humidity

Moth orchids grow best in conditions with a humidity levels between 55 and 75%. When the humidity evel drops below 50%, the orchid’s flowers and buds tend to drop prematurely. Use a standard cool air humidifier to achieve best results.

photo credit: sakura_chihaya+

Blue Orchids: How To Grow Them

A blue orchid is something that you should value, because it’s actually a rare orchid. Some blue orchid varieties are even on the brink of extinction because of destruction to their natural environment.

For novice growers, blue orchids can be a challenge to grow. But with patience and the right information, they’re able to produce flowers thrice a year, with each bloom lasting over a month. You can start to grow blue orchids by following the steps below.

* Choose their most natural environment.

Out in the forest, blue orchids grow along the barks of tree with their roots hanging aerially and freely, and this is the key to growing healthy blue orchids. At home, you can grow them along a large piece of cork bark, or in baskets, with their roots hanging freely so they can absorb moisture in the air.

* Choose the correct soil combination.

Blue orchids do not grow in every day garden soil. They grow best on pine bark, fir bark, osmunda fiber. You should buy a pre-made potting mix made especially for blue orchids.

* Give the correct amount of sunlight.

Put your blue orchids in an area will they get the maximum amount of sunlight since they prefer extreme sunlight.

* Feed your blue orchids.

Every two weeks from June to the middle of October, give your blue orchids good plant food with high potassium at half strength. And from November until the start of June, feed your blue orchids once a month with high potash food at quarter strength.

* Water your blue orchids aplenty.

Water your plants everyday from June to September, which is actually the growing season. For the other months of the year, it’s enough to keep them moist. After your blue orchids bloom, give them a two-week rest and allow them to dry before watering them again.

* Re-pot with care.

When your blue orchids are already flowering, you need to report them every year or two so they’ll continue to produce flowers.

here are some lovely examples of these blue orchids.

her photo credit: sjdunphy

photo credit: kainet

photo credit: Pu3W1tCh

How To Best Take Care of Orchids

Although they inspire awe, most people would rather admire orchids rather than take care of them. There seems to be a lingering perception that it’s difficult to take care of orchids. But nothing could be farther from the truth. It’s relatively easy to take care of orchids, especially if you know how to read. Here are some tips that on how to take care of Orchidaceae:

Planting

Replicate the orchid’s natural environment as much as you can. You can do this by making sure that the roots fit snugly in the pot. Do not use containers that are too large as you will increase the risk of over-hydrating your orchids. Do not use ordinary soil because it is too dense and will choke the orchid’s roots.  Instead, formulated orchid potting, which you can buy from garden outlets.

Don’t forget to use a container with a well-well-aerated base and/or sides for good air circulation.

Watering

Always test the dampness of the orchid potting by digging a finger before watering to prevent from over-watering the orchid. Vary your watering intervals depending on the weather and where the orchid is located. If it’s summer or if the orchid is near a heater, water more often.

• Welcome to Orchids Growing
  Posted on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 in orchids growing - Comments: (1)
  photo credit: kimberlyfayeWelcome to the Orchids growing site. Here you will find a variety of post of how to care for orchids and how to grow them so that they reach the beauty that can be seen in such photo as the one above.There are many myths about orchids and how to take care of them, on this site I will go through some of those myths and show which ones are true and which are false.