Orchids – noelle ferry

Overwatered orchids: roots are brown and mushy.
Underwatered orchids: roots are white and gray.

Oncidium orchids should be allowed to dry out completely between watering. Others, with pseudobulbs, should be watered just as they dry out. Phalaenopis orchids have no water storage organs and should be watered before they dry out.

Instead of dunking into a bowl, run water through from the top. Wait a few minutes, then water again from the top.

If you see finely divided material that looks like coffee grounds when you water then your media is breaking down and needs repotting.

Fresh potting soil drains out faster than older, broken down potting media.

Fertilizer schedule:

— 10/25/2024 with 18-6-8 from Machiela. 3 Dendrobium from Machiela Etsy store, 5 granules of 18-6-8 then lite watering. The 4 AV and 1 gloxinia in the garage each got 5 granules of 18-6-8 then lite watering.
The AV in the bedroom got three granules each. The bedroom orchids got 5 granules each. The two twinkle orchids got none.

Growing Orchids:

Place them in an east, west, or south-facing window lined with a sheer curtain to provide an appropriate amount of light. They favor more sunlight than other orchid varieties.

Use a bark-based potting soil as these orchids are by nature epiphytic plants that dwell on tree bark rather than in soil.

From August 2024 Orchid Magazine:
Many plants halt their growth when the temperatures are intense. But often some subtleties become evident in the heat, as many growths ripen and show evidence of upcoming glories. Look for sheaths on cattleyas, nubbins of new spikes on standard dendrobiums, maturing leaves on phalaenopsis and fattening pseudobulbs on cymbidiums. These are all indications that your plants have survived the toughest part of the year. Flower spikes will be initiated next month as overall temperatures cool. Even though there tend to be fewer flowers in these hotter months, …. as well as many of species Phalaenopsis reveling in the kind of heat they evolved in. Although many of these longer spikes were initiated months ago, it often takes until the midsummer before they mature and bloom. Article: Orchid Parts and Why They Matter … On cattleyas, flower buds emerge from a modified leaf (sheath) that encloses an emerging inflorescence. Some cattleyas bloom soon after the growth matures and the sheath is formed (these are said to bloom on green sheaths) and others
rest for several months before blooming (and are said to bloom on dried sheaths). Sheaths should be watched carefully. If the color changes to yellow or brown, the sheath should be carefully opened and pulled down so water can drain freely. Otherwise, condensation inside the sheath from day–night temperature changes can cause the flower buds to rot in the sheath. … Phalaenopsis bloom from a raceme (ray-SEEM), a type of inflorescence with short-stalked flowers borne on an elongated stem that bears the pedicels and flowers. Racemes can be upright, arched or even pendent. Those of phalaenopsis are most often upright or arched and should be staked during the development of the flower spike to make sure the flowers are presented to their best advantage. …Root media: Proper potting mix size is a combination of how coarse the plant’s roots are, and the size of the pot you are putting it in. In general
pots 4 inches (10 cm) or less in diameter would use a fine-grade potting mix. This could be fine-grade fir bark alone or with additives such as fine-grade charcoal or Perlite. For pots 5–7 inches (12.517.5 cm) in diameter, medium-grade bark or mixes are typically recommended and for pots larger than 7 inches (17.5 cm), you want a coarse material, so you get extra drainage and air movement within the mix. Many growers mix and match to create pottinas g mixes intermediate between these sizes for specific potting needs.
Plants with very coarse roots such as Phalaenopsis but they do not have pseudobulbs to store water, so you need to be careful. They need plenty of moisture around their roots but, at the same time, need good air exchange. This can be accomplished by using medium- or coarse-grade potting materials with the addition of something
that holds water such as chopped sphagnum moss, perlite or vermiculite. …

Orchids are tropical plants that prefer humid, moist air. Insufficient humidity can cause brown tips on leaves and stunt the orchid’s growth. In the winter, indoor air can become too dry due to heating systems, so it’s especially important to increase humidity levels for orchids.
Repot every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season. (see more info below).Spring-summer orchids like a weekly watering. Water until water comes out of bottom drainage hole. Do not let pot sit in water. Stay above 60 degree F. Like high humidity.Fertilizier:

Determine the amount to use: The amount of fertilizer you need depends on the size of the pot:
For a 3″ to 4″ pot, use 1/2 teaspoon
For larger pots up to 10″, use 1-2 teaspoons
Sprinkle the fertilizer over the top of the potting mix
Water with a mister or bring the pot to the sink or tub
Let the orchid tell you what it needs. You can start fertilizing at half strength after the first month, or wait two months if you’re still unsure.

Here are some other tips for fertilizing orchids:

Fertilizing is most important during the vegetative growth period before flower buds appear.
Experts recommend fertilizing Phalaenopsis orchids once every other week or at least once a month after their blooms have dropped.
You can store time-release fertilizer in a cool, dry area away from sunlight to maintain freshness.

Phalaenopsis
Appearance – Phalaenopsis orchids have moth- or butterfly-shaped flowers, while dendrobium orchids have butterfly-like flowers.

Growing conditions – Phalaenopsis orchids are known as “moth” orchids and are ideal for growing indoors.
Dendrobium orchids require cooler growing conditions and less humidity than phalaenopsis orchids.
Care – Phalaenopsis orchids are easy to care for and are a good choice for beginners. Dendrobium orchids are considered one of the easiest orchids to grow under most conditions.
Flowering – Phalaenopsis orchids bloom in early summer through fall. Dendrobium orchids can grow all year round, but the nobile type requires a cool winter period to induce flowering.
Plant habit – Most dendrobium orchids have pseudobulbs that resemble tall canes.
Temperatures – between 75 and 85°F but adapts well to normal indoor temperatures of 65 to 70°F. Orchids also like contrasting night and day temperatures. To induce blooming, the plant needs a few cooler nights, with temperatures around 55°F.

Choose a location with plenty of bright, indirect light; a south- or east-facing window is ideal.
Use a special orchid growing medium, not potting soil.
Water about once a week and allow the growing medium to dry out between waterings
Feed a moth orchid with an orchid-specific fertilizer when the plant is actively growing. During the growing season, fertilize your orchid with a diluted orchid fertilizer (20-20-20 fertilizer at 1/4 strength) every three or four weeks. Skip feedings during the fall, winter, and spring flowering season when too much fertilizer will lead to excessive foliage and no bloom.

Insects: