Orchid Care
The proper Orchid Care is essential for the long term success with growing Orchids. Orchids are one of the most popular grown plants in the home and garden. Despite their delicate appearance and reputation, Orchids are quite hardy plants that are resistant to many diseases and pests - as long as they have the proper growing conditions. Orchid Care involves using the correct strategies, Your best defense against the diseases and pests that affect orchids is to provide and keep the specific humidity, light, temperature and ventilation levels within the optimal levels for the orchids you're growing.
Watering Orchids is a problem that many have with growing Orchids. Water problems are one of the key causes of problems that affect orchids. As with African violets standing water on the leaves or around the roots can encourage root rot and invite bacteria and fungi to attack the plant. Controlling the humidity level around your orchids is very important in Orchid Care and can help prevent many of the most common pest infestations and diseases that damage and kill orchids.
The most common insect pests are spider mites, mealy worms and scale insect, these pests that are attracted to orchids. Many Orchid enthusiasts recommend a monthly spraying with an insecticide like orthene or Malathion to discourage infestation. Carefully wiping leaves with a soft,soapy cloth will also help remove pests and bacteria that may cause
Orchid Care Tips
The Orchid is one of the most popular and beautiful of houseplants and sought after throughout the world for cut flowers, corsages and floral displays. Orchid Care can be a challenge for most gardeners and homeowners that would like to brighten up there surroundings with these beautiful plants.
Orchids, from the largest plant family, are found in many different environments throughout the world, the majority coming from the tropics of Asia, South America and Australia. Most of the common Orchid species are epiphytes, growing on other plant like trees and shrubs or lithophytes, growing on rocks in very little soil. There are terrestrial orchid species that live in temperate zones that grow in a more typical soil environment. Orchid are technically perennial herbs and lack woody structure.
Orchid Care involves providing the best possible growing environment to achieve healthy growth and good bloom production. The first challenge that most growers face is
accepting the fact that Orchids do not bloom each year, we are normally used to having plants that bloom on a year to year cycle like the common annuals, trees and shrubs in
the garden. Providing the proper light, growing medium, humidity and soil moisture are all very important to achieving success with the Orchid.
Orchids like all other plants that have chlorophyll require the right amount of light to grow. The amount of light that the plant receives determines the amount of energy created to be used for growth and flower production. Orchids require the correct amount of light to thrive; too much light is just as bad as too little. Orchids seem to prefer a filtered light; the best way to tell if the light is OK is to observe the leaves. Leaves that are very dark indicate a low light level, leaves that are yellowing is a sign of to much light.
Watering is another important factor in growing Orchids, Orchids on the most part are epiphytes and can get their water from the available humidity in the air. This must be taken into account when determining how often to water, the drier the air the more water they will require. Watering must be based on the size of the pot, humidity, and potting mix. Overall it is better to be more on the dry side than too wet.
Orchids can tolerate most household temperature well with a daytime range of about 65-80 and night time range of 55-75.
These are some of the basics of Orchid Care and this will be continually added to with much more useful information. For more detailed instruction I have found this site to be a great help: Orchid Care
orchid diseases and injury.
Bacteria and viral infections can take hold in ands pread to others plant if action is not taken. If you notice black sooty fungus, brown or black spots of decay on leaves or flowers, or broken discoloration on leaves or stems of your orchids, they may be harboring a fungus, bacteria or virus. While most fungi and bacterial infections are treatable, Orchid infected with a virus can't be cured - and should be burned to prevent the spread of the virus to any other orchids in your home, a very important safeguard in Orchid Care.
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Practice good plant hygiene to prevent the spread of virus and bacteria,always periodically sterilize any cutting blades or instruments between plants to avoid carrying disease from one plant to another.
If the proper filtered light and water requirements are met Orchids should do very well. Orchid Care can be a challenge but with persistence the rewards will be well worth the effort and you will be rewarded with the spectacular blooms that these wonderful plants are known for.
