Orchids: A Gentle Introduction

Plant Care Orchid: A definitive guide.


Orchids: A Beginners Guide
Orchids: Where to Start? The Beginner's Top Choice.

Click here for Plant Care Orchid A definitive guide.

So many choices, where do you start? Here's my number 1 choice...

Orchid Variety: Genus - ODONTOGLOSSUM

* A good, compact houseplant for a environment.
* Keep shaded from the summer sun, keep indoors all the year.
* Flowers every 9 to 10 months for between 4 to 6 weeks.
* A wide range of colors and patterns from sprays of numerous tiny flowers up to several large extravagant blooms on a single stem depending on the variety.

CARE FOR ODONTOGLOSSUM
This group of orchids is very popular as they have such a wide range of patterns, colors and shapes. Ranging from large showy flowers on compact stems to tall branching spikes with lots of tiny but bright blooms.
These plants are quite compact, therefore they are a perfect houseplant in that they are an ideal window sill orchid.
Often Odontoglossum orchids flower twice a year or more as they increase in size and because they have growths at different stages around the plant.
This group of orchids should be repotted when they outgrow their pots, roughly every 2-3 years.
Odontoglossum orchids should be re-potted in the spring after flowering when they have outgrown their pots about every 2 to 3 years.

These orchids need to be kept cool and light all year round and they should re-flower easily on the season's completed bulb.
Keeping them too warm can hinder their flowering.
When the blooms die off, trim the stem right down to the base.
The next generation of flowers will grow from the next pseudobulb that the plant produces.

TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS:
Odontoglossum orchids require a minimum of 10°C (50°F) through the winter to give them a sufficient change in their conditions from the warm summer, when a maximum of 30°C (85°F) is enough.

LIGHTING:
Try to keep from bright, direct summer sunlight as this can scorch the leaves. Expose them to as much light possible during the dark winter months.

WATER:
Try to keep the free draining bark compost moist with more frequent watering during the spring and summer, their main growing season.
When watering, let the water drain right through before placing it back in it's planter. Never let the pot stand in water.
Allow the bark compost to dry out slightly before watering again. Try to avoid water collecting in the crown of the plant as this may result in the plant rotting.
You should add a little orchid fertilizer to the water once every 2 or 3 (approx. every 10-14 days) from March to September.

Click here for more information: Orchid Care

As ever,
Good Luck!

Julie