Orchid Article Library

General Care guides broken down into categories: Air Movement, Fertilizer, Lighting, Water, etc...

Re-pot your orchid. Articles on potting, potting media, staking bloom spikes, types of containers, etc...

Articles on successful dividing of orchids. When to do it, how to do it, what to use, etc...

How to cross and orchid and why. Articles on hybridizing; how and why it is done, successful practices, what to look for in pod-parent and pollen parent, etc...

Flasking orchid seed. How to do it, avoiding contamination, temperature, light, medium, recipes, etc...

Articles on how to de-flask orchids. Moving orchids to compot. Seedlings, etc...

Articles on Semi-hydroponics and orchid growing. What materials, how to do it, what plants are successful, what to avoid, etc...

Articles discussing mounting orchids. How to and regular maintenance. Supplies, woods, glues, etc...

Cattleya Grower Information Temperature: 70 - 90 degrees F. daytime, 60 - 65 degrees F. night Humidity: 40 - 65 % relative humidity is ideal Notes: While Cattleyas adapt well to less than ideal conditions and therefore make good "beginner" orchids, their high light requirements are sometimes difficult to achieve in the home. Be sure to place them where they will receive abundant light with direct sun striking them only very early in the morning. Allow them to dry slightly between waterings.

Phalaenopsis Growers Information Temperature: 70 - 85 degrees F. daytime, 62 - 66 degrees F. night. Humidity: 55 - 70 % relative humidity is ideal. Notes: Phalaenopsis or "Moth" orchids because of the flowers' resemblance to moths with outstretched wings are often sold as "beginner" orchids because of their low light requirements. They are, however, prone to crown rot and the low light they need keeps any excess water in their pots from evaporating quickly. Care should be taken not to over-water these, as root rot will cause the leaves to become "mushy," sag, and droop. It is best to water the plants in the morning so that any water on the leaves and especially in the crown has a chance to dry before nightfall. Blooms erupt on long sprays in mature plants and can last up to three months, sometimes even longer.