Orchid care, also known as orchid culture, is a balance of water, fertilizer, light, temperature, air movement, and humidity. Once you master these few basics, growing orchids becomes easy. This guide provides essential tips and tricks for successfully growing African orchids, covering everything from basic care to troubleshooting common problems.
Understanding African Orchids
African orchids, with their unique beauty and diverse forms, can be a rewarding addition to any plant collection. One example is the desert orchid (Eulophia petersii) from Africa, which thrives outdoors in a shaded patio setting. Many enthusiasts have shared their experiences with specific species, highlighting the challenges and joys of cultivating these plants. For instance, some growers have noted that certain orchids may take a while to adjust and start producing new canes, while others have found success by mimicking the plant's natural habitat.
They were common, bred in the 1000s by Duckitt's Nursery in South Africa. Keep in mind that in its habitat in Central, all dawn to South Africa, it grows on gnarly, old trees in full heat and sun! It's often found on dead trees in scorching sun with a flare of flower spikes there.
Essential Care Tips
Light and Location
After potting your orchid, it’s best to position it near an east-facing window for optimal growth; shaded south or west windows are also suitable.
Watering
Since Phalaenopsis lacks water storage organs apart from their leaves, it’s essential that they never fully dry out. Be sure to water plants thoroughly, and only water again when the potting media is nearly dry.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
Fertilizing
Remember to fertilize your plants. For bark-based and clay media, apply a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, twice a month. To encourage flowering, opt for a high phosphorus fertilizer like 10-30-20.
Repotting
After acquiring your orchid, it is important to repot it immediately once it has finished flowering. Carefully take the orchid out of the pot and detach the Sphagnum moss from its roots. Next, soak the plant roots in a mixture of water and a bactericide solution.
Potting Medium
The potting medium needs to be porous; you can opt for either a coarse bark specifically formulated for orchids or a product known as Aliflor or Leca, which is an expanded clay material. Carefully position the plant roots in the pot, then fill it with the soil medium.
Creative Growing Methods
Some growers have experimented with semi-hydroponic (s/h) culture, suspending the plant in a basket over a reservoir of water. The plant is potted in Orchiata bark mix from Orchids.com inside a basket. A while back I decided to suspend the basket over a reservoir of water in a yoghurt tub (there is a large chunk of styrofoam in the reservoir that the basket rests on). Once the plant set a dew roots down into the water the plant took off.The combination of basket and reservoir would, I hoped, mean the roots would stay aerated and hydrated.
I have for years observed plants send roots down, out of pots, into water. I figured orchids would be no different. I am not sure this would work with a regular pot that isn't ventilated. Some I have potted in sphagnum with perlite and others in bark-mix. I had good results growing Catts in S/H so the Catts I am currently trialing are simply in the basket without mix.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
Troubleshooting and Encouraging Bloom
Many orchid enthusiasts face challenges in getting their plants to rebloom. I did nothing special to get mine to flower. It is grown under led grow light strip and shop light. I gets water ed once or twice a week. Daily listings with soft tap water sometimes with some klite in it in the growing season. A sprinkling of MgSO4 now and then. Temperature: 60 day/50 nights in winter, 80s/70s in winter. A temperature difference between seasons may be important.
Some growers have noted that a temperature difference between seasons may be important for encouraging blooms. If your orchid isn't thriving, consider adjusting its environment to better mimic its natural conditions.
Mine did nothing for over a year and a few months ago it stopped sulking and started producing new canes allover. These are known to be difficult sometimes.
I babied mine too much and it died.
Orchid Pests and Diseases
Learn to identify orchid pests and diseases with this easy troubleshooting guide. We also give you effective solutions to rid your orchids of these pests.
Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask the Orchid Doctor. Join the AOS Chief Science Officer for an informal discussion about orchids. Ron McHatton answers questions submitted to him about orchid care.
Seasonal Orchid Care and Climate
Explore Orchids and Their Care (A-Z). Have you ever wondered if you could grow a Vanda in your home? Discover information about dozens of different orchid genera here.
Orchid Care Made Simple / Orchid Care for Beginners
Orchid Care Schedule
Here is a simple schedule for orchid care:
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | When potting media is nearly dry | Ensure thorough watering |
| Fertilizing | Twice a month | Use balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or high phosphorus fertilizer (10-30-20) |
| Repotting | After flowering | Use porous potting medium |
| Pest & Disease Check | Weekly | Look for signs of infestation or disease |
