Awesome orchids

HOW TO GROW ORCHIDS

It’s a bit of a myth that orchids are hard to grow. You just need to choose the right kind of plant. And given the right level of care and attention, they can bloom for six to nine months at a time. This guide will show you how to get the most out of yours.

PLANT TYPE

Decide what to plant. For growing inside, the Moth Orchid is the most common type and has many varieties available with different flower colours and heights. There are also other orchids to choose from.

GARDEN ORCHID

If you want to grow orchids outside, then the Cymbidium is the hardiest choice. They’ll produce up to 30 blooms that last a couple of months, and a bonus — they flower over winter.

Keep them in their pots, but they can tolerate a sheltered spot out of direct sun, but protect them from sub-zero temperatures.

TIMING

Orchids can be grown year-round. Flowering is affected by daylight hours, so they are more likely to flower from October though to February as the longer days encourage new flower spikes.

LOCATION

Orchids like to be kept warm, are best kept above 16°C, and in a location away from low humidity and draughts.

In the winter keep away from cold areas such as window sills. Bright indirect sunlight is best.

In the garden choose a sheltered frost-free environment.

SOIL

Orchid Mix is a special open coarse composted bark-based mix, which is open and free draining — essential for orchids. This mix has controlled feeding for up to four months and promotes healthy foliage growth and beautiful, long-lasting flowers.

PLANTING AND POTTING

When you buy your orchid, it will come in a clear pot, which you should place in another cover pot. Every few years you will need to re-pot it once you see it’s getting too big for the container.

Wait for the plant to finish flowering.

Tip the pot, shake off the excess mix.

Place in a pot that is only one size bigger.

Slowly fill with new orchid mix, making sure the orchid stays level with the top of the pot.

Your orchid won’t flower for another year or so after re-potting.

WATERING

During Spring and Summer, they need watering weekly. During Winter reduce to once a month.

If the roots look silvery they require watering, which should turn them back to their dark green colour. Tip about a litre or water through the plant over the kitchen sink or similar and let it drain.

Don’t let them sit in water, it must drain away.

FEEDING

Orchids are hungry plants. Feed monthly with a liquid orchid fertilizer. This will provide the nutrients to promote lush green foliage with prolific long-lasting flowers.

PRUNING

Orchids can bloom for many months. Once all the flowers have died cut the flower stem above the bottom node and you will be rewarded with a side branch and more flowers.

Only prune off the entire flower stem once it has died back, and there are no nodes left.

Once flowering is finished remove the flower spike, and a new spike should appear in late winter.

Don’t worry if you have aerial roots coming out of the top of the pots. These are perfectly normal and are just a natural part of the plant’s growth.

PESTS AND DISEASE

As long as orchids are kept well-fed and watered they shouldn’t have any pest or disease problems.

Older plants can be susceptible to scale or mealy bug.

If your orchid leaves are looking pale green, you may have your orchid in too much light. Try moving it to a dimmer place, out of direct sunlight.

If your leaves are turning yellow, it is normally a sign of draughty or too cold conditions. This often happens during a change of season.