From the Impatient Gardener-Orhids Can Lift Winter Blahs
I recently received my January 2010 Better Homes and Garden magazine. As I was browsing the pages I came across an article on Orchids. Off I went to see how my Den Burana (Pink) is fairing this winter. It looks healthy enough but I realized that I need to give it some TLC. And in pondering my replanting venture I decided to do a bit of research. I am a bit intimidated when working with orchids. They seem like they need a load of effort. But! This article inspired me to go ahead and try again. If you would like to try an orchid on your window sill this winter here are a few tips I gleaned from this article.
Water and Fertilizer:
Orchids need to dry out completely before watering each time. The article recommends “orchid fertilizer” but I confess I use my usual plant food. After comparing the ingredients on fertilizers I find that many repeat the ingredients. The important thing is to water and fertilize regularly. But a word of caution here, more is not is better. Over watering and over fertilizing will only defeat your goal.
Repotting:
The recommendation is every 1-2 years repot with new medium preferably bark or moss. This is a good medium and I always put small rocks or glass beads in the bottom tray for interest and drainage. And while we are at it, every 1-2 years is good for all houseplants. Orchids are famous for those long stalks that need to have a stems staked so that the flowers can show off.
Orchids can tolerate low humidity and thrive in light from the east or south. I have mine sitting on the window sill in my laundry room that gets the morning sun.
If you want to try your hand at orchids here are a few orchids that are good suggestions: Nun’s orchids, Cattleya hybrids, Lady Slippers and Moth orchids. For more information and interactive conversation about orchids Better Homes and Gardens has a great link at www.BHG.com/easyorchids. If you already grow orchids I would love to hear what you have and how they are fairing.
Posted in The Impatient Gardener
Orchids are such a beautiful flower. I’m not quite brave enough to try to grow my own. I hope yours stays healthy for a long time to come.
I wish I could grow orchids. Or anything, for that matter. I kill plants quite handily. I’m pretty sure I’ve just killed my aloe, actually. It had gotten so nice and big over the summer, and I forgot it was out on the front steps and the temperature dropped. Brought it inside but it doesn’t look good.
My mother used to have orchids sometimes. And lots of African violets. She’s a good gardener.
I agree, this is a best article.A successful blog needs unique, useful content that interests the readers
You really inspire me with your blog on the orchids. I might consider trying to raise one. I see them all the time at Home Depot and wish to have one, maybe I will take the leap to get one.
Your picture is absolutely gorgious.
Plants are pretty resilent. Depending on where you live your plants probably will survive the winter. Like your Aloe Vera is a hardy cacti. I leave mine in a cold frame room all winter. In the desert they do not get our protection and survive just fine!
Learned from your posting-but have a question re:room temps.fpr orchids? I lower my thermostat to about 58-60′ at night.Thanks in advance if you reply.
I keep mine in a room that kids the morning sun but there is not heat in there all day and night. It stays kewl and my orchids seems to like it. Where are your orchids facing as to the sun. What zone do you live in?
I could kill anything. I think my green thumb died.