Orchid Care Tips Blog

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Growing great Phalaenopsis Orchid plants can be made easy with these useful tips. Phalaenopsis Orchids are normally found in rainforests, on trees and on rocks. They do not grow at the very top of the rainforest canopy. This means they are not used to direct sun on their leaves. They are used to shady conditions.

At home, a Phalaenopsis Orchid needs to go behind a curtain or on a table not near a bright window. They like to have moisture around the leaves with a humidity tray. Here is an example of a humidity tray. This creates an environment like in a rainforest. Phalaenopsis Orchids should be watered only as the pot gets lighter in weight upon being lifted. They like to be potted in medium bark. Phalaenopsis Orchids should be fertilized with a weak solution of fertilizer every couple weeks. Here is an example of a good fertilizer.

This Phalaenopsis collection is a good one to start with, as not only does it have a variety of standard and novelty Phalaenopsis plants, but they are blooming size and at a good price. If you have any questions, just post comments to this blog entry.

People often ask me how I choose Orchids in the San Francisco Bay Area. Choosing Orchids here is just like buying them anywhere else. If going to a large store, it is important the Orchids have not been mistreated. I find the best way to find Orchids that are in good shape is to go to either local smaller nurseries or Orchid Shows. These two places usually have Orchids that have had the most care. If you go somewhere where Orchids got too hot, cold, dry, or wet for too long, the Orchid may not show issues right away. It may take days or weeks for the full effect of damage to appear on the Orchid. That is why it is very important to get Orchids from a quality location where they have been cared for carefully. If you have other questions, let me know here.

I’m often asked about photos I’ve taken of Orchids. Although I have liked using a Pentax and older Panasonic Lumix camera, my current favorite is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K . This is an affordably priced camera packed with features.

Here is a video I took today at the Pacific Orchid Exposition in san Francisco CA. Enjoy.

Coming up March 5-8, 2009 in San Francisco, California is the Pacific Orchid Exposition.  With so many displays, booths with Orchids for sale, and in this year’s Green team about how Orchids can be beneficial to the air in your home, this is a not to miss event. The event takes place in the Fort Mason large pavilion.  Thursday night, March 5 is the preview night.  March 6, 7, and 8 are the display and show days.  More information on this event can be found here.  Have fun!

These are top tips and tricks in Phalaenopsis Orchid care.

1. Phalaenopsis Orchids do not like to have any water sitting on their leaves overnight. If they do, they can get an infection on their leaves.
2. Phalaenopsis Orchid plants can drop their flowers if temperatures go lower than 65 F.
3. Phalaenopsis Orchids are the longest blooming Orchid. This happens when ideal care is given.
4. Phalaenopsis Orchids love humidity.
5. Phalaenopsis Orchid plants like to be in a tight pot.
6. Phalaenopsis Orchids like to be potted in medium bark.
7. Phalaenopsis Orchid plants do not like to dry out between waterings like some Orchids.

Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis Orchids tend to be top favorites of Orchid growers. The reason for the Phalaenopsis Orchid being in this group is that the perfect indoor Orchid is a Phalaenopsis. It is easy to grow, has long lasting flowers, and is compact. Meanwhile, the Cymbidium Orchid is larger, very showy, has long lasting flowers, and can be grown outdoors in many warmer climates.

Here is what I recommend for a new Orchid grower who is ready to start growing Cymbidiums or Phalaenopsis Orchids.

1. Get Orchid fever! When I say this I don’t just mean the feeling, I mean the book. The book Orchid Fever by Eric Hansen really helps show the passion of what Orchid collecting and growing is all about. Here is the best price for this book on Amazon.com.
2. Buy Orchid Growing for Wimps by Ellen Zachos. This is a great starter book for Orchid growing.
3. Get a great deal with a Phalaenopsis Orchid Collection. This good one from Amazon.com starts you out with five 4″ plants from Carter and Holmes Orchids, one of my favorite growers.
4. Get a collection of Cymbidium Orchids. This Cymbidium Orchid Plant Collection from Larrys Orchids products includes 6 different blooming size plants, all different colors. If you click on this Amazon link to purchase, you’ll get FREE SHIPPING!
5. You’ll need to repot your Phalaenopsis Orchid within the next 0-2 years. Here is the best repotting medium for Phalaenopsis Orchids.
6. When repotting your Cymbidium, here is the best potting medium to use.
7. When potting your Cymbidium, use a crystal clear Orchid pot. You will probably need this 8″ one.
8. When repotting your Phalaenopsis, you can use a ceramic pot with Bonsai Boy’s Orchid pot with attached saucer, or here is another in a darker color. You can also repot into a crystal clear plastic pot.

Here are five great Orchids you can give as gifts for New Years or a birthday. These five Orchids are quite exceptional in my book in terms of flowers, care, and quality.

1. Phalaenopsis Newberry Bouquet ‘Blushing Bride’ - Beautiful long lasting flowers on this pink and white Phalaenopsis Orchid to use as a perfect gift
2. Phalaenopsis Carolina Yellow Fantasy ‘Golden Showers’ - Great long lasting yellow novelty Phalaenopsis Orchid to give as a gift to someone special
3. Cymbidium Milton Carpenter ‘Everglades Gold’ JC / AOS - Patented Orchid from Carter and Holmes, nice plant as gift
4. Dendrobium Fire Coral ‘Super Star’ AM / AOS - This is one cool Orchid! It has long lasting flowers, loves bright light, and blooms like crazy. It is a great Orchid to give as a gift.
5. Dendrobium Yellow Chinsai ‘Little Joe‘ - Miniature yellow floriferus Dendrobium great to give as a gift.

How important is humidity to Orchid care?

It is very important for your Orchid plants. If you choose to grow your Orchids at home without humidity you may see any or all of these side effects:

• short life of blooms
• flower petals thinning
• browning leaves

If you add humidity at the right amount, you can see these benefits:

• long lasting flowers
• healthy leaves
• more possible repeated blooming

For outdoor orchids such as Cymbidiums and Epidendrums, you can either choose a location with more natural humidity, or mist the Orchids earlier in the day or if it gets hot.

For indoor Orchids, either place the Orchid on a tray of rocks with water underneath, or purchase a humidity tray. Even though humidity trays aren’t the most attractive for home decor, they really do help the plant. Humidity is the number one reason Orchids don’t bloom long or rebloom.