There are many who will argue that Orchids are one of the most beautiful flowers on Earth. There are several kinds of Orchids, many are large, colorful and fragrant. Usually when we think of Orchids we think of the tropical beauties in Asia or the Amazon. Even Ohio has several species of Orchids, including the rare and beautiful Lady Slippers.
On the road to my office there was an elderly man who had a greenhouse attached to his modest house. From the road I could see a handsome collection of Orchids. One afternoon I stopped and introduced myself, and he gave me a tour of his house filled with numerous kinds, sizes and colors of orchids. His large plate glass window in his living room overlooked his greenhouse stuffed with a vast assortment of orchids. He had orchids under grow lights throughout his house and in his basement. He explained when his wife was living, they would take vacations all over the world to collect unusual and rare orchids. One day the house was for sale and the greenhouse was empty. I hope his treasured collection went to a conservatory or to other Orchid lovers.
Nine months ago, I bought a miniature Moth Orchid in bloom. (The Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis, is said to look like a moth in flight. It is felt to be the easiest Orchid to grow in the home. Most Orchids sold in stores are Moth Orchids.) The little plant was only 6 inches high. After it bloomed, I stuck it in the rear of my grow light stand and continued to water and fertilize it. I didn’t expect much and figured I’d kill it like I had many before this one. A few days ago, while watering my plants I was shocked to see the little Orchid had bloomed once again with six 50 cent piece sized pink flowers! I was shocked because in the past I have been a total failure growing Orchids. I have gone through at least a dozen plants, purchased the special pots, and growing medium and expensive fertilizer and failed over and over again!
Not only that, but I reached out to Facebook friend, Janet Kukelkorn Whetstone, a lover and grower of Orchids who lives in South Carolina for tips on how to successfully grow the beautiful and exotic flowers.
1) Repot (if your orchid comes in the moss) into orchid bark and a clay orchid pot as soon as possible after blooming. NO ICE CUBES!
2) Spray planting medium with tepid water (every 7-10 days) wetting bark thoroughly and feed with diluted Orchid fertilizer every other watering
3) Feed with diluted Orchid fertilizer every other watering. In the next watering use only water. It is so important you flush out the detrimental remaining salts from the fertilizer.
4) Water left on the leaves can leave burn spots if you return the orchid to a sunny window. Water at night to prevent this.
5) Put the plant into an indirect light or even a sunny window but back 1-2 ft. In the spring place the orchid outside in a dappled shade area after temps reach 65 consistently. Hang under a tree or on a table, but not on the ground.
6) Repot every 2 years into new bark because the potting mixture will settle and can block water. Orchids have air roots but need moisture. I don’t mist mine, but you could at night. I have them on steel shelves with a 4-foot by 2-foot metal drip pan (used to put under a car in the garage but sized to fit my shelves length and width) under the shelf at the bottom to catch the drips. Phalaenopsis are so easy, and you can get hooked on the blooms that last for months. You have to kill a few to figure it out. Ha!!!
Many Thanks to Janet for her easy growing tips! Now that I’ve had luck with my little Moth Orchid re-blooming, I’m encouraged to try again and drag out the special pots, the growing medium, and buying some gorgeous Moth Orchids. I just know this time I am going to be successful!
Image by Shirley Hirst
