Orchid Care - Basics for Beginners |
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Successfully growing orchids is no harder than growing houseplants - it's just different. Don't be embarrassed for a minute by what you don't know. We all started out the same way. We
were
all "orchid
killers" before
we became
"orchid growers". I amazed at all the books and websites that promise "secret tips and tricks" on orchid care basics for beginners. Spend your time trying to remember all those tips and tricks and you'll miss the real joy of caring for orchids, which is learning the rhythms of nature and how those magnificent flowers are created! Don't be fooled. There are no secrets or shortcuts to caring for orchids. Simply follow nature's way. It's not difficult. When you get it right the satisfaction is immeasurable! Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment when your first orchid(s) bloom again! Even after 20 years, I still get a thrill when new flowers appear. I've had hundreds of conversations with enthusiastic growers who've had amazing success. Many where ready to give up! I think you're going to enjoy growing orchids more by understanding how nature works with these magnificent plants instead of trying to remember an endless set of rules. So what makes orchid growing different? Here are 5 basic principles that you need to know as a beginner grower. Beginner's Guide - Lesson #1 Why don't orchids grow in potting soil? Unlike palms, ferns, and philodendrons (which grow in the ground), orchids grow on rocks and trees. Their roots are exposed to the elements. Growers use many different types of potting materials to copy nature. Planting an orchid in potting soil and treating it like a houseplant is a sure way to kill it. The Hydroponic Advantage: Our Hydroponic System replaces all those strange potting materials with clean, easy to use clay pebbles. Orchids love growing our unique clay pebbles because the roots get the right amount of air and moisture. Plus, our clay pebbles never rot or decay! Beginners Guide - Lesson #2 Orchids Are Tougher Than Most People Think? Orchids are not the finicky plants most people think they are. In fact, they're much more durable than houseplants! In nature, orchids tolerate wind, rain, and long dry periods between showers. They need to be hardy creatures to grow in those conditions. Overwatering is the #1 killer of orchids. Most beginner growers think all orchids grow in tropical rain forests and they need a lot of water. Actually, where many orchids grow rain can be scarce. They survive because their roots are designed to absorb water quickly and store it in the plant's thick leaves and stems for future use. Growing orchids is more like growing cactus than growing houseplants! Hydroponic Advantage: Stop killing your plants by overwatering! Our Hydroponic System has a water gauge that tells you when (and how much) to water! No more guessing! Beginners Guide - Lesson #3 Don't Over Do it! Orchids grow in harsh environments. To survive they've adapted to living comfortably on a slim diet of water and nutrients. Keep this in mind when growing at home! Orchids can't handle a lot of water or fertilizer. Giving your new orchid an "extra dose of fertilizer" to help it perk up is exactly the WRONG thing to do! Do you feel like eating a big meal when you're not feeling well? Orchids feel the same way! They're solitary creatures and they don't like to be fussed over. In most cases, they do better when left alone! Sidebar: I visit my orchids once a week on watering day. They get whatever they need on that day, and that day only. Then, they all wait until next week for anything else. No "in between" visits. Hydroponic Advantage: Overwatering is the #1 killer of orchids. With traditional growing methods, your plants get water only when you water them. As a beginner grower, you'll want to check them everyday to make sure everything is just right. And you're going to end up over doing it! With our hydroponic system your plants will get exactly what they need to be healthy and happy without your help! Our Hydroponic System automatically provides everything your plant needs day after day. The only time you're needed is refill the system every 2-3 weeks! Beginners Guide - Lesson #4 Fading flowers does not mean your orchid is dying. Orchids do not bloom continuously. They all have a growing season and a blooming season. When those beautiful, exotic flowers fade away and die, your plant isn't dying. It's just finishing its "blooming season" and is starting its next "growing season". Each type of orchid has an internal calendar marking these seasons. Some orchids bloom in summer, and others bloom in winter. Some bloom for only a week, others display flowers for three months or more! Healthy orchids should bloom at least once a year, some twice a year. One of the most difficult things for the beginner grower is: having
the
patience to wait for
the next bloom cycle.
Hydroponic Advantage: It takes a healthy plant to produce flowers. Hydroponics isn't magic, but it will improve the health of your plants, which promotes blooming. |
Growing orchids in our Hydroponic System makes orchid care easy for beginners. You'll feel like you've been growing them all your life!  Orchids growing in
trees.
 Orchids growing on rocks |
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| Beginners
Guide -
Lesson #5 Choosing the right plants. Orchids grow on every continent except Antarctica, so there's a wide range of growing conditions for these plants. The key to successful growing is starting out with plants that match your growing conditions. Learn what type of growing conditions you have before buying that next plant. Hydroponic Advantage: Any orchid that grows in a pot can be grown in our Hydroponic System. So you can enjoy the advantages of hydroponics with almost any type of orchid. |
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| Is Growing Orchids for You? | |
| Growing Your First Orchid(s) | |
| FAQ's for Beginner Growers |