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Orchid
Care
A
Beginners Guide to Caring for Orchids |
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Is orchid
care a mystery to
you?
It always
starts out the same
way. Those beautiful, exotic flowers where irresistable. So you
purchased our first
orchid, brought it home, followed all the instructions, gave it tender
loving care, and it died anyway.
Welcome to the
world of orchids! Don't
be embarrassed for
a minute by what you don't
know about orchid care.
Orchid care is not difficult - it's just different.
They
aren't the
tempormental creatures you think they are. They can actually
be easy to grow - if you know what to do.
Before we start
talking
about caring for orchids, are you ready to grow orchids? Let's
find out:
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1.
Do you have success with houseplants?
Orchids
don't need a lot of attention but they do require some of the same
basic care
that houseplants need. If you can grow houseplants - you can grow
orchids.
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2. Are
you
ready for your first plants to die?
We're
all "orchid
killers" before
we became "orchid growers". Until you get the hang of it, don't expect
great
things from your first plants.
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3.
Do
you have
the patience to wait for flowers? |
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It's
unrealistic to think you can "decorate" your home every day of the year
with exotic orchid blooms even with the best orchid care. Orchids do
not flower continuously and those
dazzeling displays don't last forever. Orchids
need time to build up energy between flower cycles (sometimes
up to a
year!). And most orchids are not all
that interesting to look at when they're not in bloom. Having patience
is a main ingredient with orchid care.
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4. Can
you give
the
plant what it needs to grow (and bloom)?
After flowering is
finished
(usually
1-3
months), orchids need
the right conditions to build up the energy to flower again.
So, when that big, beautiful display of
flowers on the dining room table fades away, you'll need to
move
that orchid back to its growing area so it can build up the
energy to flower again (don't worry, we'll show
you
how).
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Still
with me? Great!
If you can make it through our 4 Steps to Orchid Care
you're on
your way! You've got what it takes to grow orchids!
Now for some good news!
Orchids don't need a lot of attention and are
tougher than you think. Although some plants can be fussy, many will
adapt comfortably to the conditions found in most homes.
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Orchid
Care - the Basics |
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Orchid care isn't complicated.
I'm amazed at all the books and websites that promote their "secret
tips
and tricks" on orchid care. If you spend
your time trying to remember tips and tricks, you'll miss the real joy
of growing orchids which is understanding the principles of nature
applying them at home. The
satisfaction when you get it right is immeasurable.
Don't be fooled. There are no secrets on how to grow
orchids.
Simply follow the rules of nature and try to apply them at home.
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In
nature
orchids
grow in different conditions than houseplants.
Ordinary
houseplants
(such as palms, ferns, philodendrons, etc.) grow on the forest
floor.
Orchids, on the other
hand, grow on rocks and trees, not in the ground. Planting an
orchid in potting soil and treating it like a
houseplant is a sure way to kill
it.
What are the basics of
orchid care? Just like any other plant, they
need Light, Water, and Temperature.
Light: |
Orchids
require more light than houseplants.
more ......
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Water: |
Orchids
don't like wet
feet. They want need less water than most
houseplants
more
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Temperature: |
Orchids
do not require hot,
steamy air found in the
tropics more
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To accomplish these
requirements
for orchid care, many successful hobbyists use two different locations
for their plants. I
describe this as:
"a
place to grow your
plants and a place to show your plants".
The
Place to Show:
Orchids in bloom can be
displayed wherever they showoff their
flowers best (dining room table, kitchen counter, etc,). This is your
place for show. There's no need for sun because your plant has stored
up all the energy it needs to complete the bloom cycle.
Orchid care at this
point is simple. To prolong the life of the flowers, just keep
your plant away from direct, hot sun and try to keep
temperatures
on the
cool side.
The
Place to Grow:
When
that big, beautiful
display of exotic
blooms deteriorates into a lonely stick, the
flowering cycle is over. After a brief rest, your plant will start a
new
growing cycle. Now your plant is relying on you for proper orchid care
so it can flower again.
Orchid care during this growing period means proper
light,
water, and temperatures. Your plant will use
this
growing time to build up the energy to flower again. Have
patience and you'll be rewarded with beautiful
blooms again! Giving your plant what it needs to flower again
isn't difficult - we'll show you how.
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Faq's
What type of orchid is it?
What orchids can I grow?
Why Hydroponics? |
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