Orchid Growing Made Simple But Terrible!

Orchids fascinate people. Their extraordinary variety of sizes, shapes, hues, habitats, and fragrances add color to life. Their lovely, exotic flowers brighten the day. Growing orchids is quite a rage today. Orchid is one of the most popular potted plants marketed behind poinsettias. 

How do you care for your orchids? Though orchids have been labeled as delicate and sensitive, they can be successfully grown. Here's how:

Overwatering. When orchids are overwatered, they might die for lack of air. Water naturally displaces air, which is needed for healthy root growth, in the potting soil.

Underwatering. Lack of water leads to root damage due to dehydration. Orchid-potting materials drain much more rapidly than materials commonly used for other plants. Be sure to moisten the orchid-potting materials before you use them (this will make them                                                               more water-retentive)

Poor water quality. Water having high salt content and treated with water softener can be damaging to orchids,

Too much light or heat. When excessive heat gets trapped inside a leaf, it literally "cooks" or destroys the leaf tissues. As a result, large black circular dead spots form. In extreme cases, the entire orchid collapses. Once this damage is done, nothing can be done about it. When the orchid is exposed in full sunlight, feel the leaf surface wit your finger. If it is too hot to touch, move the orchid to where it receives less light.

Leaving orchid foliage wet overnight. This causes leaf spots and crown (growing point of the orchid) to rot. It is best to water the orchid in the morning or early afternoon, so there's plenty of time for the leaves to dry.

Too much fertilizer. You know you've put too much fertilizer because the root tips either become black or black/brown. Too much fertilizer dehydrates orchid roots. 

Improper use of pesticides. If pesticides are applied in too high a concentration or applied when the plant is dry or the air temperature is too high, severe damage to the orchid can result. Always read the label before applying the chemical.

Insect infestation. Catching insect problems in the early stages is important. If an orchid is covered with insects, it is best to throw this plant away for the sake of others in your collection. 

Most orchids are epiphytic (they grow attached t trees with roots hanging loose). That is why potting media (like coconut husks or tree fern fiber) or special orchid potting mixes (available from orchid suppliers) are used so the orchids' root area will have good air circulation.