Orchids have
fascinated people since early times. They have always been known as the
symbol of love, luxury, and beauty
| All About Orchids |
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by Adam Sando
| Orchids form the worlds largest family of plants. They grow wild in every single country except Antartica. | |
Orchids have
fascinated people since early times. They have always been known as the
symbol of love, luxury, and beauty
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| 'Bright Star' |
rchid
history: The story is told that orchids
were merely curiosites to many botanists. That would all change when in
1818 when William Cattley got ahold of some plants that had been
brought back by British Sea captains from far off lands. William
Cattley was unpacking the plants brought back and noticed strange
looking plants that were used as a packing material. He potted them and
in November, one of those plants bloomed; it was the Cattleyas. The
flower world has never been the same since that blooming of a single
plant.
rchid
facts:
Orchids not only grow in tropical
rain forests trees, they are also able to grow on rocks using the rock
as an anchor. Terrestrial orchids are able to grow in other areas such
as woodland, mountain sides, and in meadows...
Orchids have developed certain types of blooms to entice
the type of insects that pollinate them. Orchids are also able to
control their level of fragrance that is released, for example some
orchids are pollinated by a night moth so their fragrance is best at
night...
Many Orchids are now on endangered lists as millions of
them were stripped from forests in the past. Now almost all collecting
of Orchids is now banned...
Orchid collecting became strong in the 18th century in
many parts of the world, people were drawn to their unusual flowers,
and almost intoxicating fragrances...
rchid
growing in your own home: In the past orchids
cost a very large amount of money sometimes over a thousand dollars.
Nowdays because of seed cultivation you are able to obtain your own
orchid seeds for a relatively low cost sometimes around $10.00. Some
Orchids take more skill to grow than others but with the right care and
upbringing you can grow most orchids in your own home.
The Basics to home growing:
Potting: Most types of pots can be used to grow
Orchids, however they grow best mounted on tree bark, pressed tree
fern, or cork bark with sphagnum moss around the roots. However mounted
Orchids do need more watering than do potted ones.
Growth Media: There are many types of growth media
out there (eg. cork nuggets, wine corks, fir bark, osmunda, rock wool,
lava rock etc.) The best mix to use for Orchids with thin roots is
equal portions of small size fir bark, small charcoal chips, and
perlite. For Orchids with larger roots you can use medium sized fir
bark, med. sized charcoal chips, and a larger grade of perlite.
Fertilizing: A balance of 7-9-5 (N-P-K) is a very
good mix for all mediums you use. To help promote flowering you can
also use something known as "blossom booster" this should be used
before the bud formation state and is a 3-12-6 formula. Fertilize
usually once a week with a ratio of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of
water you use. Also you have to judge fertilizing by the health of your
plant.
Lighting: Different types of Orchids require
different types of light you will have to find out from growing guides
or someone who is familiar with the flower to help you decide how much
light is needed.
Humidity: Ochids like to be in a place where the
humidity is between 40% - 70%
Temperature: this is much like lighting, the
temperature at which orchids thrive will vary amongst the different
varieties so it is very important to find out ahead of time what
temperature is best for your plant, this to can be done by observing
growing guides, or talking to someone familiar with the plants.
Water: When watering you basically have to pay
attention to the plant. The media you are using to grow Ochids on or in
is usually different than that of usual house plants so don't feel the
need to keep the media moist as Orchid media is supposed to absorb the
water and dry out allowing oxygen in and around the roots. Start by
watering your Orchid once a week and pay attention to see if the plant
requires more or less.........Finally Good Luck with your Orchid
growing!!!
--Here are some wonderful Orchid Pics from around the world --
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