There are different ways to grow orchids. Cathy Isom continues her series on these beautiful flowers by telling you how to plant your very own orchids. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
The orchid range is vast, and their growing requirements are diverse. Choose a site where the temperature will be around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Most orchids will require tropical temperatures, well away from any cold drafts.
Choose your plant carefully. It’s better to buy a plant that’s several years old, as it’ll be stronger and will take less time to flower. You can either place the plant in a basket-like pot with composted bark and humus, or tie the young plant to an “orchid slab”. The latter is made of cedar or cork bark, cushioned beneath by sphagnum moss. Once you’ve done this, hang the planted slab in a shaded south or west-facing window. Most orchids will tolerate and adapt to conventional ground dwelling, as long as the growing medium allows air to circulate.
They love humidity. When watering, use a sprayer on the smallest setting and never spray the plant itself as it can encourage diseases.
I’m Cathy Isom…