Orchid Planting and Propagation
If you want to grow an orchid properly, that’s going to mean knowing about everything it needs. You need to duplicate the natural conditions these plants grow in as closely as you can. Unfortunately, this can be tricky with store bought plants, which usually come in pots. After all, in their natural setting, most orchids cling to bark or stone, and don’t have their roots in soil at all. This is a very different environment from that of the orchid you buy from the florist, and is one reason that so many of these plants die quickly. That’s why planting your orchid quickly after getting it is so vital. Let’s take a look at what you need to do.
Most of the beautiful orchids you’ll find on the market are phaeleonopsis orchids or dendrobiums. These plants prefer strong light that’s not too hot, high humidity, good airflow around the roots, and regular dry periods followed by extremely wet ones. They like temperatures between fifty and eighty-five degrees. These are the conditions we’re trying to recreate in order to get good blooms. They’re also the big reasons that most people can’t just plant an orchid in their yards. After all, regular soil can be a problem, binding roots and drowning them.
The majority of orchids from the store come in inexpensive plastic pots, with their roots packed in very wet moss. This is violating two of the rules above – air flow and the ability of the roots to be dry from time to time. This results in an orchid that will look good for a while, but the roots aren’t able to breathe, and will eventually rot. Orchid roots are a lot more specialized than ordinary plant roots, and have the ability to soak up water extremely quickly. They don’t take nutrients from the soil like the roots of most other plants.
When you buy an orchid, step one is to enjoy its flowers. Most store bought orchids will be in bloom, and shouldn’t be repotted until the bloom has fallen. Once it’s done with, you can cut off the dead flower spike (use sterile snips to prevent problems later) and replant your orchid. Use a special orchid potting medium, usually made from bark, charcoal, moss and other porous substances that will allow the roots to breathe, and will prevent root rot. Most people can’t successfully plant orchids in the ground or permanently place them outside (even on tree bark) because their climates don’t match those the orchids naturally grow in. A pot is the best choice for planting most orchids.
These pots are specially designed, and should be hanging pots, not ground resting ones. They feature wide drainage slits. Expect water to run right through them, and keep a tray on the floor under the orchid to catch the runoff when watering. Remove your orchid from its plastic pot and get rid of the potting medium. Be gentle, and look for healthy roots. They’re usually firm and white, with a green tip. Dark, shriveled, or rotted roots must be carefully cut off to prevent them from damaging your plant further. Place your plant in the pot and fill it in with potting mixture. Don’t be surprised if it’s a little wobbly at first – a stake can help this. Eventually, new roots will anchor the plant to the pot.
Place your newly planted orchid in an east facing window so that it will get several hours of full morning sun, or grow your orchids using artificial lighting. You can even put orchids outside during the warm months. Just make sure they aren’t in overly hot sun, and that they get the amount of water they need. Many orchids need watering daily in order to keep them in top condition. The end result is a planted orchid that will last a long time and bloom for you regularly. It doesn’t take much to get your store bough orchid into better conditions and keep it happy. The effort you put into maintaining this beautiful, exotic plant is well worth it.
