| BIAN | |
 |
DIRECTORY LINKS PUBLICATIONS MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK |
| |
|
|
The American Orchid Society divides orchids into four groups according
to how they grow in the wild. Epiphytes, or air plants, grow on trees.
Lithophytes cling to rocks. Saprophytes flourish in decaying vegetation
on the forest floor. Terrestrials anchor themselves in soil or sand.
As most tropical orchids are epiphytes, they can be grown in tree bark
(fir or redwood), crumbled charcoal, pebbles, tree-fern fiber, or slabs
of cork. Potting media should always be free-draining so that water
does not accumulate around roots.
Temperatures should average 75 degrees F during the day and 55 degrees F to 60 degrees F at night. In general, if you are comfortable your orchids will be, too. Light must come from an east, west, or lightly shaded south window. A north-facing window will almost never provide adequate light. Humidity should be kept at a level of 50 percent. Orchids grouped on the same windowsill or humidity tray will benefit from each other's "exhaled" moisture. |
Water according to the needs of individual species. It may be tricky at first to balance the rapid surface drying that can occur indoors, where the plant's metabolism slows down in response to lower light levels. Fertilize routinely, at a low dosage according to the species'
needs, with a fertilizer appropriate to the potting mixture in which
the plant is grown. In winter, fertilize only occasionally, except
when individual species warrant otherwise. |
