Orchid Growing for Beginners

Orchid Growing for Beginners
By Michael Collins

Orchids are one of the most popular plants around, and with good reason: consisting of over 20,000 different species, the orchid family has countless options for the home gardener, and their ease of hybridization means that there are almost an infinite number of variations possible. Naturally, orchids tend to be a big draw for both the amateur and the serious green-thumb.

Orchids have gotten a bad rap, though - it seems there's a rumor going around that these prodigious plants are somehow difficult to grow. Well, that's just bunk! If you know the basics of orchid care, your orchids can be as beautiful as any out in the wild, and it doesn't take a master naturalist to do it, either!

There are two types of orchids. The first type, the tropical epiphytic orchid, is the most common. It's name describes how it grows: on top of other plants. Epiphytic orchids can be found near the dark bottoms of forests, sticking to well-shaded tree trunks, branches, and rocks. There are many options to select when growing these: some can be potted (terra cotta works best, but plastic will do in a pinch), but a few, like the stanhopea or Dracula orchid, need to be grown in a basket, since their flowers grow downward.

The most fascinating ability of epiphytic orchids, though, allows for the greatest decorative possibilities: because they can cling to the surfaces of other plants, epiphytic orchids can be mounted to an upright piece of wood, tying the roots down with string until the plant can establish itself. This allows for much more variety in placement. Be warned, though - a mounted plant doesn't have the advantage of a water-retaining soil or plant, so it'll need to be watered more often than other types of planted orchid. A small bit of moss, placed behind the plant, can help to keep it moist before it can sink its roots into the wood.

The other type of orchid is called terrestrial. As its name implies, these orchids grow on the ground. Although in the minority of orchid species (comprising only around 25% of all orchids), all European orchids can be classified as terrestrial, which means that these orchids will grow best in the temperate North American climes. These orchids all require a pot.

A lot of advancement has been made since orchids were first discovered - once thought to require ultra-hot, dry air, it is now known that orchids are high-altitude plants, which means that they like lots of air flow, cooler temperatures, and humidity.

Most orchids will be fine with temperatures of around 20-30 degrees Celsius, but the serious grower should ask the seller about temperature classifications: an orchid classified as "cool" will be able to withstand nighttime temperatures down to 10 degrees Celsius. Generally, you should just keep in mind that the higher the temperature, the more water your orchid will need.

Because of their high-altitude homes, orchids thrive when air-circulation is good, so a fan that is kept blowing near (but not on) your plants will make them happy plants.

The number one leading cause of death for orchids is, believe it or not, over-watering. An orchid does love humidity, but you should remember that they have evolved to live at the bottom of wooded areas, where precipitation may not be as forthcoming as in other areas. Orchids have characteristics that allow them to hold water for days, and terrestrial orchids can draw the water up from the soil. During the active growing season, an orchid should require watering no more often than twice per week.

In fact, water quality is much more important than quantity: orchids live best on pure rain water, so, if possible, try to collect it and use that to water you plants. If that's not feasible, then leave some filtered water outside to stand overnight - this will get rid of any chlorine, and will also bring the water up to the same temperature as the surrounding air. Using cold water on your plants will damage the leaves, turning them black.

Orchids loves humidity, so consider using a humidifier on indoor plants. Outdoor plants, if not in a humid climate, can be sparingly sprayed with water.

Food is often the source of an orchid grower's confusion: should I use fertilizer on my plants? The answer is likely to lean toward "no, but..." That "but" is reserved for plants that aren't growing in a nutrient-rich bark-based compost. Even then, fertilizers should only be a dilute nitrate solution (about 1/4 to 1/2 strength). Too much food, like cold water, will turn the leaves black.

All orchids should be planted in a bark-based compost - the garden-variety, hardware-store mulch is unsuitable for them. The compost should be very porous, as a soil which blocks drainage will allow the roots to rot. This material breaks down after a while, and should be replaced at the first signs of decomposition. Rockwool, a material that is spun from lava rock, can be a better alternative to the compost - it is just as, if not more, porous than the compost, and holds water just as well.

It does have one distinct advantage, though: rock does not decay, and so replacement of the mixture is usually never necessary. Just make sure you know that rockwool holds water differently from compost, and that your watering habits will need to be adjusted accordingly.

After their growing season, all orchids enter a period of dormancy in which they are still alive, but do not grow. During this time, you must still water your orchid (though not nearly as much), and it is a good time for reflection: wasn't that easier than you were led to believe? Happy orchid growing!