Growing orchids in the home is a rewarding hobby for an increasing number of home gardeners.
Beginners, familiar only with the florist’s orchid, the cattleya, are amazed to learn how many others can grow in the ordinary home.
All that is required is common sense and a little knowledge of the natural conditions in which wild plants grow.
Humidity Levels
Most wild orchids grow in humid areas. Our homes, especially when artificial heat is used, have dry atmospheres.
You can solve this problem by setting pots on half-inch wire mesh that has been suspended an inch or two over trays of wet pebbles or sand.
The water level should be kept just below the sand or pebble surface.
Spraying the foliage with a mist of plain water once or twice a day will help to increase humidity.
Spray early enough in the day so the foliage is dry by night. A small hand sprayer, such as commonly used for insecticides, is adequate.
Light Requirements For Orchids
While many wild orchids grow in relatively open, sunny areas, others are found in forest or jungle shade. Orchids with high light requirements include cattleyas, laelias, oncidiums, and epidendrums.
Those needing less light are the phalaenopsis and cypripediums. The first group and their hybrids are best grown in east and south windows, allowing all the sunshine the plants can take without burning the foliage, while the second group will give better results in north or west windows.
Orchid Plants: Tough and Resilient
Orchid plants have a reputation for being tender. They are tough and stand more abuse from inexperienced growers than most other plants.
They quickly adjust themselves to new surroundings and, given half a chance and a little understanding, produce exotic and often fragrant blooms.
Simplified Potting With Fir Bark
The general culture of orchids has been simplified greatly during the past two years by the increased use of fir bark as a potting medium. Using fir bark is as easy as changing the soil of ordinary house plants.
Until this potting medium came into general use, repotting an orchid plant was a major operation that the amateur hesitated to attempt.
Transplanting is seldom necessary, more often than once every two or three years.
Watering and Feeding
Water plants when fir bark or other fiber leaves the fingers damp, but not wet, after squeezing the medium.
It is impossible to give any definite watering instructions, such as water once a week, because varying conditions create varying water needs.
Large pots dry out more slowly than small pots. Drying can be slowed by rubbing the outside of clay pots with a vaseline-treated rag.
Feeding is required once a week during the growing season from April until October, but during the winter, once a month is sufficient.
Growing Orchids in Bathrooms and Other Rooms
While the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry are usually not the most glamorous rooms in the house, many people grow their orchids there, taking advantage of the higher humidity.
Once in flower, plants may be moved to a spot where the family and its guests can enjoy them.
Right Orchid Plants For Beginners
The beginner, when purchasing his first plants, will find a bonus in budded plants that are ready to bloom.
Watching the buds develop and open is a thrill that never seems to fade, even with experienced growers. A collection for year-round blooming can easily be acquired by purchasing a plant or two occasionally.
When the beginner rebloomed his first plant, he was on his way to becoming an expert and could purchase others at any stage of development from 3-inch pots up. Very young, small plants, of course, must be grown in enclosed cases or greenhouses.
For the beginner, the most satisfactory first plants are cattleyas, phalaenopsis, and cypripediums. Cattleyas are popular because they have showy blooms that are easily recognized.
Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) are grown because of their ease of culture and arching sprays of large flowers.
Finally, cypripediums (lady slippers) are favorites because of their ease of culture and long-lasting blooms.
Cattleya
Cattleya flowers in a wide range of purples and pure white, white with colored lips, yellows, and reds.
Blooming seasons vary. Twelve or 15 adult plants can be selected to give year-round bloom.
Phalaenopsis
Phalaenopsis are usually white, although delicate pink shades are available, and recently, some whites with reddish lips have been introduced.
Plants can be kept in bloom for six months of the year by judicious cutting of the spike after flowering. Usually, when cut just above a node, the spike will branch and continue to bloom.
Cypripediums
Cypripediums also offer a wide color range—yellow, green, red, mahogany, brown, and variations.
They are interesting for their long-lasting, waxy textured, slipper-form blooms. Some have mottled green leaves and are attractive as foliage plants.
Odontoglossums
Odontoglossums are usually a little difficult for beginners because they require cool temperatures, but they will thrive in a well-lit, indicated room. Flowers are white, yellow, brown, and purple.
Epidendrums flower in clusters or sprays. Though each flower is usually small, the total appearance is impressive. They come in a wide range of colors, and some varieties provide almost continuous bloom.
Many other orchid species and hybrids, including oncidiums, odontoglossums, epidendrums, vandas, and dendrobiums, may also be grown in the home with success.
Oncidiums (dancing girl and butterfly orchids) bear graceful sprays of usually small flowers in the yellow-brown range.
Odontoglossums are usually a little difficult for beginners because they require cool temperatures, but they will thrive in a well-lighted, indicated room. Flowers are white, yellow, brown, and purple.
Epidendrums
Epidendrums flower in clusters or sprays. Though each flower is usually small, the total appearance is impressive.
They come in a wide range of colors, and some varieties provide almost continuous bloom.
Vandas
Vandas require high levels of light, heat, and humidity. Most varieties are light in color, with usually 10 or more blooms to the spike.
44659 by Margaret Ilgenfritz