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!