Horticulture : News
DATE: February 23, 2010
HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370
BY: Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent for Horticulture
Growing Orchids and Preparing Souffles: Both Need Right Ingredients for Success
How is raising orchid plants like preparing a soufflé? Although some people think both tasks are difficult, they're really not. You just need the right ingredients for success.
The "right ingredients" for growing orchid plants are light, humidity, air circulation and temperature. It might help you to think of the growing conditions in tropical areas where many orchids are native. These areas have all the right ingredients to successfully grow orchids—indirect light, high humidity, good air movement and warm temperatures. You can raise orchids successfully at home, even without a greenhouse, by creating these tropical growing conditions.
To get off to a good start, buy a healthy-looking orchid plant with green leaves and no obvious disease or insect problems. It's a good idea to buy a blooming plant so you can see the flowers.
If you're a beginner, start off with smaller orchid plants that have low to medium light requirements. Some of these are Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium.
Window sills with an eastern exposure provide ample light as will fluorescent lights. Conditions that are good for African violets usually will be good for Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilums.
If you plan to raise orchids under lights, the basement is a good location. Enclose the lighted area with plastic-wrapped walls to increase humidity. Use fans to circulate air in this enclosed space.
You should maintain humidity in an orchid growing areas at about 50 percent. To increase humidity, put pots on a bed of gravel in trays or "drip saucers" with water up to the base of the container. Don't let pots sit in water because it causes root rotting. Spraying plants with a hand mister will raise humidity temporarily.
Over watering is the single greatest problem you face, followed by inadequate light and humidity.
Water orchids in two- to four-inch pots once a week, sometimes as much as twice a week. Plants in six-inch pots need watering about every one to two weeks. Don't water an orchid just because the potting medium looks dry. Poke your finger into the medium about an inch to see if it feels dry. A pot will feel much lighter in weight when the medium dries out.
Insufficient air movement generally is not a problem if your home has forced air heating and cooling systems. Circulating air helps orchid plants dry out thus preventing diseases.
Orchid species vary in their preferred temperatures. Some like it on the cool side while others prefer warmer temperatures. Generally night temperatures should be 60-65 degrees F and daytime temperatures at 70-80 degrees.
Odontoglossums, Cymbidiums and nobile-type Dendrobiums prefer cooler temperatures. Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilums and Omcidiums prefer warmer temperatures.
You can put orchid plants outside in partial shade when night temperatures reach above 55 degrees F. Always check for insects before taking them back inside.
Orchids have the same insect pests as other houseplants, notably mealybugs, spider mites and scale.
To keep small infestations from becoming a big problem, spray plants once a week for three consecutive weeks at the first sign of infestation with a insecticidal soap, being sure the spray covers the upper and lower sides of leaves, especially at the leaf axils. You can pick off scale insects by hand.
Like other houseplants, orchids need fertilizer to grow and bloom. Use a balanced plant food such as 20-20-20 at half strength every two weeks from spring through fall. During the winter, fertilize about once a month. Douse plants with plain water periodically to flush salts out of the pot. You might want to use a bloom-booster formula, which is high in phosphorus, prior to flowering.
You can usually grow orchids for two years before it's necessary to repot them. You might need to repot sooner if a plant was pot-bound when you bought it.
It's best to use plastic pots when you're repotting orchids grown at home. Fill the lower part of the pot with western fir bark, then insert the plant and pack bark firmly around the plant. Be sure you don't put the plant any deeper than it grew originally. Water well to settle the bark.
With a little tender, loving care your orchids will give you years of long-blooming enjoyment.
For complete information or questions regarding orchids and other houseplants, please contact the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service, 201 Peterson Drive, Elizabethtown, 765- 4121. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
NOTE: The spring sessions of the Gardeners’ Toolbox Series 2010 begins with “Spring has Sprung” Flower Arranging. Tuesday, March 23, 6:00 pm, Cost $5.00. Build and take home a fresh arrangement after learning a few tips on how to incorporate spring flowers from your own gardens. All supplies are provided. You must register and pay by the deadline, March 16, 2010. Class will be held at the Hardin County Extension Office, 201 Peterson Drive. Elizabethtown, KY 42701 270-765-4121
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