Orchid Potting
4 Things Every Orchid Grower Should Know
If you are an aspiring orchid grower than you know how beautiful these plants are and how rewarding it is to grow them in your own home. Many people are hesitant to try to grow these exotic beauties as they feel that too much specialized equipment is required and the novice grower just really doesn't have a chance to be successful. This really couldn't be further from the truth and, in fact, it is not that hard to successfully grow orchids given that you provide them with the 4 necessities listed below.
1. Humidity
Being tropical plants, orchids to require a lot of humidity and any successful orchid grower will tell you that this is key to having good plants. Since orchids need at least 50% humidity you will have to set your growing space up to provide for that. One way to do this is to set down a tray filled with pebbles and filled out with water. Then using some sort of us stand, set your orchid pots in the tray on top of the stand so that the bottoms of the pots are not actually in the water. Misting can also give you orchid's humidity but you need to be careful that the leaves can thoroughly dry and therefore you would need good air circulation before may sting them.
2. Water
Like all growing plants, orchids need water, but a common mistake that many growers make is to think that because they require high humidity that they must be watered continuously, this is simply not true and overwatering is a sure way to kill an orchid. You should one of them when the soil becomes dry which is usually about once a week. Water until the soil is moist but take care not to overwater. If the soil in your orchid pot remains wet for more than a day than you over watered it. You can add some water soluble fertilizer formulated specially for orchids but only during the growing season.
3. Light
Of course orchids need plenty of light to grow properly especially during the summer. During the winter months they can get by on about four hours. Different types of orchids require different amounts of light so you'll need to know the specifics for your plant. if you cannot provide enough natural sunlight and grow lights will work just fine.
4. Soil
just like any other plant, orchids need nutrients and good soil to growing. Luckily you can buy potting soil formulated specifically for orchids. You may be able to find this at your local garden store or you can even buy it from the orchid grower themselves. You will find that most organ mixes contain some sort of fir bark or osmunda fiber.
Becoming a successful orchid grower is really no different than growing any other type of plant. You simply need to know what the right factors are for vibrant thriving plants and arrests as a matter of just putting these key elements into action.
About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for http://orchids.garden-corner.com where you can learn more about different types of orchids and how to become an expert orchid grower.
Orchid Potting Demonstration 1
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MG 8QT Orchid Mix $3.04 Miracle-Gro, 8 QT, Orchid Mix, Promotes Healthier Plants and Longer Lasting Blooms, Feeds Plants Up To 3 Months With Miracle-Gro Continuous Release Plant Food, Ideal Growing Environment.... |
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Espoma Organic Orchid Mix for Orchids & Bromeliads - 8 quarts $6.42 Espoma Organic Orchid Mix is an all naturral blend of Western Fir Bark, perlite and horticultural charcoal. Specially formulated for growing orchids, it helps improve drainage and aeration so that roots can grow and orchids can thrive. Use Espoma Organic Orcid Mix with confidence that you have chosen the very best.... |
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Round Net Pots 6 inch, Heavy Duty $1.20 Most Orchids Enjoy Good Air Flow To Roots. These Heavy Duty Plastic Net Pots With Wide Rim and Open Mesh Provides Excellent Root Aeration, while Smaller Mesh Alows a Variety of different Media. 6 9/16 inches rim to rim, 6 inches interior diameter, 4 7/16 inches interior depth... |
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Potting and Mounting Orchids: Warm to Intermediate Temperatures ... |
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Interrelationships of fertilization, potting media, and shading on growth of seedling Vanda orchids, (Hawaii Agricultural Experiment Station. Technical paper) ... |
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FlowerColor Blush Orchid Rose 0.16oz from Ecco Bella Botanicals $9.09 FlowerColor Blush Orchid Rose 0.16oz from Ecco Bella Botanicals |
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VBH Shiny Orchid Anguilla Eel Sparkle Border Manila Stretch Clutch Evening Bag $580 Founded by the former president of Valentino, it is no surprise that VBH has built a reputation for creating impeccable accessories that continually push the boundaries of the ever changing fashion world. VBH is famous for incorporating magnificent materials that infuse bold and dramatic colors with exotic and glamorous materials. Since the inception of VBH in 2000, V. Bruce Hoeksema has dedicated his pursuit of creating ground breaking luxury goods that transcend the trends and fads to become wearable works of art. Bathed in shiny orchid Anguilla Eel, this Manila Stretch Clutch Evening Bag represents the essence of the VBH brand in both design and detail. Beautifully accenting this piece is the gold sparkle trim that enhances the glamorous luster of this bag. The hardware is done in silver. The single flap secures the purple suede interior that boasts one open pocket. Bag is accompanied by a VBH dust bag. This bag is in excellent condition. The exterior is in excellent condition with minor press marks and slight scuffing. The base and corners are in excellent condition without any wear. The interior is spotless. |
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Duncan Performer Maverick Soundhole Pickup Standard $29.99 Simple installation — just pop it in and go. Natural and transparent tone. No battery required. Double potting makes it extremely feedback resistant. Fits all standard-size acoustic soundholes between 3-4/5" and 4-1/5". Includes high-quality cable with standard 1/4" plug. |
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Gibson Angus Young Signature Humbucker Nickel $114.95 Fits in bridge position. Hot, nasty tone with vintage-style punch and ripping tone. Features enamel-coated wire, special Alnico V magnet, matched coils, and double wax potting. 4-conductor wiring for series/parallel/split-coil variations. |
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Fender ACP-1 Acoustic Pickup Standard $69.95 Quiet humbucking design. Great acoustic tone. Heavy wax/epoxy potting eliminates microphonic feedback. Fits 3.75" to 4" soundholes. Includes a 14' studio quality cable with hand-soldererd 1/4" plug. Also includes a laser-engraved walnut pickup cover. |
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Seymour Duncan Woody SC Single-Coil Soundhole Pickup $39.99 The pop-in Seymour Duncan Woody SC Soundhole Pickup is a single-coil, slim body profile design. It produces bright, clear tone and, thanks to vacuum wax potting and epoxy surround, is feedback resistant. Like all Woody pickups, the SC is housed in hand-polished rock maple. |
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Spa Series Relaxing Awapuhi Body Wash Refill 16oz from Desert Essence $7.19 Spa Series Relaxing Awapuhi Body Wash Refill 16oz from Desert Essence Relaxing Awapuhi, soothing melon and blooming orchid paradise create a synergistic harmony to help calm the senses, while cleansing and conditioning the skin Spa Series Relaxing Awapuhi Body Wash Refill 16oz from Desert Essence UPC: 718334305004 |
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Gibson Tony Iommi Guitar Pickup Black $129.95 It's the same humbucker that Tony Iommi uses in his Signature Gibson SG to give Black Sabbath its legendary sound. Unique design delivers heavy punch, balanced lows, blistering mids, and razor-edged highs. Patented magnet configuration and special wire winding ensure maximum sustain; wax and epoxy potting prevents unwanted feedback. Four-conductor wiring for any desired wiring design. |
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Gibson Tony Iommi Guitar Pickup Chrome $129.95 It's the same humbucker that Tony Iommi uses in his Signature Gibson SG to give Black Sabbath its legendary sound. Unique design delivers heavy punch, balanced lows, blistering mids, and razor-edged highs. Patented magnet configuration and special wire winding ensure maximum sustain; wax and epoxy potting prevents unwanted feedback. Four-conductor wiring for any desired wiring design. |
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Gibson Tony Iommi Guitar Pickup Chrome 889406354814 $54.58 It's the same humbucker that Tony Iommi uses in his Signature Gibson SG to give Black Sabbath its legendary sound. Unique design delivers heavy punch, balanced lows, blistering mids, and razor-edged highs. Patented magnet configuration and special wire winding ensure maximum sustain; wax and epoxy potting prevents unwanted feedback. Four-conductor wiring for any desired wiring design. |
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Gibson Tony Iommi Guitar Pickup Gold $129.99 It's the same humbucker that Tony Iommi uses in his Signature Gibson SG to give Black Sabbath its legendary sound. Unique design delivers heavy punch, balanced lows, blistering mids, and razor-edged highs. Patented magnet configuration and special wire winding ensure maximum sustain; wax and epoxy potting prevents unwanted feedback. Four-conductor wiring for any desired wiring design. |