growing orchids - port washington garden...
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Growing OrchidsGrowing Orchids(The Fun and Easy Way)(The Fun and Easy Way)
My backgroundMy background Prior to 1991, grew fruit trees and did some Prior to 1991, grew fruit trees and did some
vegetable gardening for fun.vegetable gardening for fun. Received two phalaenopsis orchids in bloomReceived two phalaenopsis orchids in bloom Trouble getting them to rebloomTrouble getting them to rebloom Tried other varieties I thought looked coolTried other varieties I thought looked cool Killed a lot of plants! Killed a lot of plants! Took on the challenge to grow them Took on the challenge to grow them
successfullysuccessfully
Avoid My MistakesAvoid My Mistakes Out of sight = out of mind!Out of sight = out of mind! Need temperature variation & humidityNeed temperature variation & humidity Not all orchids need the same light conditionsNot all orchids need the same light conditions Don’t put them in hot, dry placeDon’t put them in hot, dry place Don’t over-fertilizeDon’t over-fertilize Water & inspect regularly – Phalaenopsis don't Water & inspect regularly – Phalaenopsis don't
have water-storage parts (bulbs), oncidiums have water-storage parts (bulbs), oncidiums have fine roots that dry out quickly.have fine roots that dry out quickly.
Be careful with water in crowns of Be careful with water in crowns of Phalaenopsis!Phalaenopsis!
My Growing CaseMy Growing Case
High Light(400W AgroSun
on mover)
Low Light(4-tube 40Wfluorescent)
Avoid My Mistakes, Part DeuxAvoid My Mistakes, Part Deux
Pick your battles and focus on plants that you Pick your battles and focus on plants that you can grow successfully!can grow successfully!
Try new things when you’re “in the zone”Try new things when you’re “in the zone”
Getting StartedGetting Started
Lots of places have reasonably-priced orchidsLots of places have reasonably-priced orchids Check the plant for obvious problems: Check the plant for obvious problems:
* Mushy, brown roots* Mushy, brown roots* Scales or other insects* Scales or other insects* Wrinkled or pleated leaves* Wrinkled or pleated leaves
Take some orchid potting mix home with youTake some orchid potting mix home with you
Orchid Pests (ewww!)Orchid Pests (ewww!)Do not let them get a foothold!Do not let them get a foothold!
ScaleMealybug
I control these insects with “Merit” systemic insecticide
First Thing: Learn to Repot!First Thing: Learn to Repot!
New plant: Who knows how old the media is?New plant: Who knows how old the media is? Bark media breaks down over time, getting Bark media breaks down over time, getting
mushy and preventing roots from getting mushy and preventing roots from getting oxygenoxygen
Gotta learn to do it anyway… You might as Gotta learn to do it anyway… You might as well get good at it!well get good at it!
Repot plants in bark once per yearRepot plants in bark once per year Repot plants in other media as needed (i.e. Repot plants in other media as needed (i.e.
Roots growing far outside the pot)Roots growing far outside the pot)
What Media?What Media?
Fir barkFir bark Sphagnum mossSphagnum moss PrimeAgraPrimeAgra NEVER use soil!NEVER use soil! No matter what media you use, it’s just a No matter what media you use, it’s just a
replacement for whatever the plant naturally replacement for whatever the plant naturally grows in, to support and provide moisturegrows in, to support and provide moisture
Repot the Right WayRepot the Right Way
Always soak your media in water first! Always soak your media in water first! NEVER repot with dry mediaNEVER repot with dry media
I soak bark for 24 hours I soak bark for 24 hours OR: Pour boiling water over the bark mix, and OR: Pour boiling water over the bark mix, and
when cool you can start pottingwhen cool you can start potting I also use “PrimeAgra” (LECA) media for I also use “PrimeAgra” (LECA) media for
semi-hydroponic growing – Soak for 24 hours semi-hydroponic growing – Soak for 24 hours before repottingbefore repotting
Repotting candidatesRepotting candidates
Actively growing roots:Actively growing roots:
Not-So-Active roots:Not-So-Active roots:
Identify dead roots…Identify dead roots…
……and trim them offand trim them off
5 minutes later…5 minutes later…
Remove leaves if necessary…Remove leaves if necessary…
……to prevent burialto prevent burial
Now re-pot in larger containerNow re-pot in larger container
Start with some media…Start with some media…
Position the plant…Position the plant…
Fill and tap…Fill and tap…
Keep filling and tapping…Keep filling and tapping…
Finished!Finished!(don’t forget to replace the tag!)(don’t forget to replace the tag!)
Water well when doneWater well when done
Another semi-hydro repotAnother semi-hydro repot
Repotting in barkRepotting in bark
Unpot the plantUnpot the plant
Clean old media from rootsClean old media from roots
Trim any dead roots…Trim any dead roots…
Comparison of new/old mediaComparison of new/old media
Place some media in the bottom of Place some media in the bottom of the pot, place plant and fill!the pot, place plant and fill!
Finish packing media around roots, Finish packing media around roots, and replace the tag!and replace the tag!
After repotting…After repotting…
Water regularlyWater regularly Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer like MSU Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer like MSU
(Michigan State University)(Michigan State University) Don’t use too much fertilizer! It can damage Don’t use too much fertilizer! It can damage
roots – Orchids grow natively on pure rain roots – Orchids grow natively on pure rain water and nutrients from decaying plant matter water and nutrients from decaying plant matter
Water with plain water occasionally to flush Water with plain water occasionally to flush out accumulated saltsout accumulated salts
Blooming & Post-BloomBlooming & Post-Bloom
Phalaenopsis: Leave spike until it turns brown, Phalaenopsis: Leave spike until it turns brown, then trim – Plant may rebloom on old spike or then trim – Plant may rebloom on old spike or create keiki (baby plant)!create keiki (baby plant)!
Other types: Some oncidiums bloom Other types: Some oncidiums bloom repeatedly on same spike for years. Don't trim repeatedly on same spike for years. Don't trim spike until brown.spike until brown.
PhalaenopsisPhalaenopsisLow-to-Moderate LightLow-to-Moderate Light
PhalaenopsisPhalaenopsisLow-to-Moderate LightLow-to-Moderate Light
OncidiumsOncidiumsModerate-bright lightModerate-bright light
CymbidiumsCymbidiumsHigh Light – Outdoors in summerHigh Light – Outdoors in summer
CymbidiumsCymbidiumsHigh Light – Outdoors in summerHigh Light – Outdoors in summer
MiltoniasMiltoniasModerate light, cool temperaturesModerate light, cool temperatures
PhragmepediumPhragmepediumModerate to Bright LightModerate to Bright Light
PaphiopedilumPaphiopedilumModerate to Bright LightModerate to Bright Light
DendrobiumsDendrobiumsClassic Hawaiian lei materialClassic Hawaiian lei material
Medium-to-Bright LightMedium-to-Bright Light
Dendrobium Phalaenopsis
Cattleyas and HybridsCattleyas and Hybrids(if you like a challenge…)(if you like a challenge…)
Keep It Fun!Keep It Fun!
Pick your battles and only grow plants that you Pick your battles and only grow plants that you have the right conditions forhave the right conditions for
Put the plants where you’ll see them and will Put the plants where you’ll see them and will be able to see problems – or new flower be able to see problems – or new flower spikes!spikes!
Keep on top of insect problems and repot Keep on top of insect problems and repot every year if in bark or sphagnumevery year if in bark or sphagnum
There are orchids with almost any color flower There are orchids with almost any color flower you could want!you could want!
ResourcesResources
Internet!Internet! American Orchid SocietyAmerican Orchid Society Wisconsin Orchid SocietyWisconsin Orchid Society Annual Orchid show, Chicago Botanic Annual Orchid show, Chicago Botanic
GardensGardens Orchid show in Madison every year (usually Orchid show in Madison every year (usually
Super Bowl weekend)Super Bowl weekend)
Thanks!Thanks!