Orchids

[maxman]

Is anyone out there into growing orchids. If so pls let me know, I need some help.
I have several and used to the south Fl weather, but here is different.

 

[bloominorchid]

hey maxman....finally, someone else who is growing orchid too! I thought I was the only one here. I am also from central florida and growing here has been a challenge. I am finding that certain species do better here than others, and the species I could grow down south are not thriving here. Let me know whats wrong and maybe I can help.

 

[aggieb]

i'd just like to know how to keep a potted orchid alive? i love orchids and can't keep one alive for the life of me.:angry: what's an orchid's typical life span? surely longer than a month or so?

 

[bloominorchid]

most people over water them and it will kill them faster than anything. Also, most orchids you buy from home depot etc... are not potted right or have been in the same material for a long time stressing the orchid. The three things to remember are light, air circulation and water. Most orchids need lots of light (not direct sunlight) lots of air circulation around the roots (use a pot with lots of holes and hang outdoors in teh warmer months under a tree), and a soaking watering once every 1-2 weeks. for one orchid you can use some time released fertiziler in the pot, that should be enough as they really don't need much.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I had a potted orchid for three years, and found the best method to keep it alive was to forget about caring for it. It finally was eaten by a really big lizard.

 

[avalon]

Thanks for the tips

most people over water them and it will kill them faster than anything. Also, most orchids you buy from home depot etc... are not potted right or have been in the same material for a long time stressing the orchid. The three things to remember are light, air circulation and water. Most orchids need lots of light (not direct sunlight) lots of air circulation around the roots (use a pot with lots of holes and hang outdoors in teh warmer months under a tree), and a soaking watering once every 1-2 weeks. for one orchid you can use some time released fertiziler in the pot, that should enough as they really don't need much.

I have two of those grocery store type plants that need some help. They bloomed just fine, but now the leaves are turning yellow and drying up. I will try repotting as suggested. They did okay for a couple of years....

 

[Smiling JOe]

yellow leaves often is a sign of over-watering.

 

[maxman]

Not the only one

After I wrote the thread ,I thought to myself what a dork.I'm glad there are more orchid growers out there.Right now the problem is a phanolopsis, blooming but with dooping leaves.It may be a watering issue.Right now I've taken them all out to my covered screen porch,they can handle temps in the 50s at night. Let's keep this going, maybe a new group.

hey maxman....finally, someone else who is growing orchid too! I thought I was the only one here. I am also from central florida and growing here has been a challenge. I am finding that certain species do better here than others, and the species I could grow down south are not thriving here. Let me know whats wrong and maybe I can help.

 

[maxman]

In regards to the growing material. I found out from a retail orchid grower in Miami that they don't use bark because it rots and molds very fast. They use clay pellets or small porous rocks.My family lives in Miami and when I visit I always come back with something new. I been using that material and it works well, but it drains faster.In the winter when they come in, you have to keep them on humidity trays.

most people over water them and it will kill them faster than anything. Also, most orchids you buy from home depot etc... are not potted right or have been in the same material for a long time stressing the orchid. The three things to remember are light, air circulation and water. Most orchids need lots of light (not direct sunlight) lots of air circulation around the roots (use a pot with lots of holes and hang outdoors in teh warmer months under a tree), and a soaking watering once every 1-2 weeks. for one orchid you can use some time released fertiziler in the pot, that should be enough as they really don't need much.

 

[Smiling JOe]

My grandma often used broken clay pots in the bottom of her potted plants to help retain moister without rotting the roots. It also provided for better drainage.