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Culture tips


Most of my collection are warm to hot growing orchids, as they love direct sun light in the morning. This culture sheet prepare for tropical climate, where plants are grown outside in light shade, such as in a greenhouse. 

Temperature

Temperature for this plants should be warm; a minimum night temperature of 25°C is recommended. Optimum temperatures are 22°C at night, and to 32°C during the day. Warmer temperatures mean faster growth, which must be balanced with higher humidity, air movement, and increased water and fertilizer. Days should be warm and humid for optimum plant growth.

Light

Light is a crucial factor in blooming some plants. Tropical orchids need full sun, and are best grown in high light climates but not direct sun allday. In a greenhouse give the plants about 25% to 35% shade, less in winter if dull. Leaves should be a medium green, not dark green.

Water

Orchids generally like lots of water when growing, but must dry quickly. Because of this, and their extensive root system, they are mostly grown in slatted wood baskets, or in pots with a coarse potting medium. If warm and sunny, they may need daily watering, with misting several times a day in dry or hot climates. Water sparingly in the winter or during cloudy weather, but do not allow plants to shrivel.

Humidity

Humidity of 80% is ideal. In tropical climates, this may be easy to obtain. Yet in most climates, misting may be necessary during sunny weather. In a greenhouse, this is easier to provide by wetting down the floor, or using an evaporative cooler. In the home, place the plants on trays of gravel, partially filled with water. Do not mist the plants if the leaves will not dry by nighttime. Air movement must be strong.

Fertilizing

A well-balanced (20-20-20) fertilizer applied full strength once a week is recommended when warm, or use 1/4 strength every watering. During cool or cloudy weather, apply fertilizer once every two to four weeks. Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer (such as 10-30-20) every third application to promote blooming. A vitamin B-1 compound may be beneficial; use it once a month.

Potting

Potting should be done in the dry season. Plants in baskets do not need to be repotted often; leave them unless the potting medium breaks down. Just set the plant, with the old basket, into a container of water to make the aerial roots more pliable, and then set plant and basket into a larger basket. For plants in pots, repot in a slightly larger pot, positioning the plant in the center. Use a coarse medium, whether fir bark, tree fern charcoal, etc., and work it around the roots. Keep shaded, humid, but drier at the roots until new root tips grow. Do not overpot.

More information how to grow them :

 


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EKAORCHID, 2003