Growing Bigger, Gorgeous Orchids the Easy Way

Are you having trouble getting big goregous blooms on your orchids? Are you finding orchid care to be a litte more work than you thought? Then enve fear, we can make your life easier and help you grow beautiful orchids like you've never seen.

To start growing orchids, all you need are a few basic requirements and the right tools including, MegaGro, Algoflash, and SoilSyrup.

Everything You Need in One Orchid Growing Package

We have the tools to make growing orchids breeze. SoilSyrup conditions the potting soil and maintain soil humus levels. Algoflash is a safe, non-burning plant food you can use every time you water. And MegaGro is the secret professional growers use to produce beautiful plants. So if you want the secret to truly successful orchid growing, use MegaGro.

Our Orchid Growing Kit contains everything you need to grow any type of orchids indoors without a lot of work. The Orchid Growing Kit includes:

• SoilSyrup to improve soil conditions
• Algoflash for easy feeding
• MegaGro for beautiful blooms and flowers and bigger fruits and vegetables.

$19.95 MegaGro Starter Kit The MegaGro Starter Kit is a great way to grow gorgeous orchids. Kit includes one 32 oz spray bottle and one 8 oz concentrate. The 8 oz concentrate makes 40 spray bottles! A great value. MegaGro Starter Kit - $19.95

$8.95 SoilSyrup Concentrate SoilSyrup Concentrate makes it easy to add the benefits of humic acid to your orchids. Provides a rich supply of humus to your growing medium to greatly improve nutrient uptake. Simple to use liquid concentrate is a perfect addition to any fertilizing program for healthier orchids. Size Yield Treats 8 oz 10 gallons 5,000 sq ft 32 oz 40 gallons 20,000 sq ft 1 gallon 160 gallons 2 acres 8 oz - $ 8.95 32 oz - $28.95 1 gallon - $79.95 $49.95 - BEST VALUE!

What plants can be easily grown indoors, require minimal care, and produce beautiful exotic flowers? The answer, which may surprise you, is orchids. For many people the thought of growing orchids conjures up images of wealthy orchid growers with expensive greenhouses. But that perception of growing orchids couldn't be farther from the truth. Orchids are one of the most fascinating, beautiful and peculiar varieties among the flowering plants. Orchids have always been considered difficult to grow and characterized as finicky plants that need greenhouses or other specialized care, but many orchids grow very successfully alongside other houseplants. Given the right climatic and cultural conditions, growing orchids is something anyone can do.

The huge family of orchids contains 880 genera, 28,000 species, and over 300,000 registered cultivars worldwide. With so many possible varieties, most flower gardeners will be able to find an orchid that will thrive in their home. Once the cultural needs of these fascinating plants are understood, growing orchids is relatively simple. If given the right climatic and cultural conditions, they can thrive anywhere and will flower regularly. Some species of orchids may flower two or three times a year and some flower annually.

Growing Orchids - Types of Orchids

According to their different growth habits, orchids are generally divided into three main categories namely epiphytes, lithophytes and terrestrials. Epiphytes are suited for home culture and are grown perched high in the trees clinging to branches or in the trunk apex of the tree. They derive their nutrients from the air, rain, and any decaying vegetation. They have specialized aerial roots that have a white spongy layer of cells called velamen. This protects the inner root tissues and absorbs water. These roots will also often dangle free in the atmosphere. Lithophytes are also found mostly in the tropics. They can be seen covering the bases and forks of trees or filling crevices in rocks where they can absorb a maximum supply of nutrients from decaying mosses, humus and washed-down soil. Terrestrials are soil-loving plants growing in the ground, having a symbiotic relation with a special fungus. This fungus invades the cells of the root's outer layer, providing the plants with the nutrients and is essential for the seed germination of most orchids. It is the lack of this fungus that prevents many terrestrial orchids from surviving when removed from their natural environment to a home garden.

Most orchid enthusiasts agree that the best orchid for novices is Phalaenopsis. One of the easiest and most popular orchids to grow in the home, they are better known as the "Moth Orchid." They require average house temperature and moderate light. They adapt well to the typical temperature in homes (65ºF nights and 75ºF days) and the bright light near an east window. Phalaenopsis may be grown exclusively under artificial light. No other orchid is easier to grow indoors. You can also try growing orchids that are hybrids between Phalaenopsis and Doritaenopsis that are just as easy to grow. Moth orchids are widely available and relatively inexpensive. When properly cared for, plants will last a lifetime. Other commonly grown orchids are the Paphiopedilum (Lady Slipper) that is another low light grower. Epidendrums produce an abundance of small (1inch) flowers. Like Phalaenopsis, they are considered very easy to grow.

Cattleyas are a large and showy orchid. Cattleya plants need twice as much light as Phalaenopsis. Indirect light in a south window and/or supplemental lighting is recommended. They also perform better in slightly lower temperatures of 60ºF at night and 70-75ºF during the day.

Oncidium (dancing dolls), Vandas, and Dendrobiums, all need bright light to flower. Oncidium orchids are called dancing girls because of their dainty yellow and brown or white and brown blooms. These tough plants flower reliably under most conditions. Dendrobium orchids are white, lavender, or a combination of the two colors. The long lasting flowers are borne in lengthy sprays. They grow best in conditions similar to Cattleyas. For those of you that live in mild climates growing Cymbidiums in your gardens is a lot of fun.

Beyond the basic cultural suggestions, the key to successfully growing orchids is matching the type of orchid to the conditions in the home. Beginners should buy flowering or mature sized plants because orchids take five to seven years to reach to bloom size. Or use MegaGro to help boost blooming cycle and size.

Growing Orchids - Growing Rules

Growing orchids is really not much different from growing any other type of houseplant. Most orchids will thrive in your home if you follow a few basic plant care rules when growing orchids.

Growing Orchids - Rule #1

Don't overwater. Over watering kills more orchids and houseplants than anything else!

Growing Orchids - Rule #2

Provide the right amount of light for the variety of orchid you're growing.

Growing Orchids - Rule #3

Keep the temperature in an acceptable range.

Growing Orchids - Rule #4

Use a balanced fertilizer when feeding orchids

Growing Orchids - Rule #5

Keep the humidity high. Orchids like 40%-70% humidity.

Growing Orchids - Rule #6

Orchids like Good air movement.

Growing orchids is much like growing any other blooming houseplant. But remember most orchids are epiphytes, which means they draw moisture through their leaves, not their roots and are planted in orchid bark, lava rock, or mounted on pieces of bark. Don't plant orchids in soil unless you know they are the are the terrestrial type.

Growing Orchids - Light

A bright window with indirect sunlight all day is ideal for growing orchids. Generally 12 to 36 inches away from a south window is best. Plants should be placed in an east, south or west window and protected from direct noonday sun. Orchids are variable in their light requirements, depending on genera and variety. Plants that need high light, such as Cymbidiums, can be placed close to the window. This protects other plants that need medium light, like Cattleyas, by blocking direct sunlight. Low light can be maintained indoors by varying the distance between plant and window. Phalaenopsis is an orchid needing low light. If only a south window is available, a sheer curtain helps prevent scorching during months when the sun is low in the sky. Orchids also grow and bloom well under artificial fluorescent lighting. Artificial lighting is an option that makes sense in many situations for growing orchids. If you wish to grow under lights, provide artificial light only during daylight hours to initiate flower buds during the proper season. Varieties with lower light requirements bloom better in this type of culture. For best results, use wide spectrum fluorescent tubes such as grow lights. Warm and cool white tubes used together are also satisfactory. Lights should be on at least 12 hours per day. However, flowering will be improved in plants receiving natural and artificial light versus artificial light alone.

Read the leaves. Pay attention to your orchid's foliage to learn if the light you are providing is right. If new leaves are lush, soft and darker in color than the mature leaves, the plant is not getting enough light. Plants won't flower if the light is too low. Foliage that is stunted, hard and yellow indicates the light is too bright.

Growing Orchids - Temperature

Growing orchids generally require the same temperature range as houseplants. Daytime highs in the 70's and nighttime lows of 55-65ºF will keep orchids and houseplants growing happily. Warm growing orchids should have a day temperature of 72-80°F with sun and nighttime low temperature down to 65°F. Day temperatures for intermediate growing orchids should range from 68-70°F with sun, and night temperatures should be around 60°F. Cool growing orchids require a day temperature of 65-70°F with sun, and night temperature of 50-55°F. Orchids (and other houseplants) next to windows on extremely cold nights may be cold damaged and should be moved away from windows. Plants grow faster in higher temperatures but they also need more humidity and air movement when it's hot. All varieties tolerate higher temperatures in hot summer weather, but additional shade and misting is necessary to keep them cool.

To initiate flower spikes, provide nighttime temperatures to 55 degrees F for several weeks in the fall. An occasional drop below the recommended night temperature norm during the colder months will not harm the plants.

Avoid exposing plants to fluctuating temperatures as the buds develop or the buds may drop just as they are ready to open. Good ventilation is essential. Air movement around your orchids helps to prevent diseases. Good cross-ventilation is usually sufficient, but keep plants away from drafty, cold windows.

During the summer months, you can place growing orchids outdoors, after the danger of frost has passed, usually by the end of May. Orchids flourish outdoors on a porch or under a tree if they are raised off the ground to receive light and ample sun. If the temperature rises to around 90°F, mist the leaves several times a day to avoid sunburn.

Growing Orchids - Watering

Proper watering is critical to successfully growing orchids. Over watering will rot the plant's roots, causing it to die. Depending on your climate and the season, frequency of watering may range from every other day to every 10 days. In general, water once a week. Orchids growing in clay pots may need more frequent watering. Don't allow bark around orchids roots to dry completely. Nor should the plant's roots stand in water. Add enough water each time to run out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

When you do water, flush the growing medium with water until excess runs out the drainage hole. The best time to water is morning so that leaves are dry by nightfall, making them less prone to disease. Use tepid water to keep terrestrial orchids moist below the surface of the media. Allow epiphytic orchids to dry out below the surface between watering. A soil amendment like SoilSyrup can be added each time you water to help maintain humus levels and healthy roots.

Growing Orchids - Humidity

Growing orchids like high humidity, usually between 40%-70%. Most homes are too dry for growing orchids, especially in winter. Use a humidifier or put plants on gravel in trays containing water. The easiest way to increase humidity around the plants is to set the pots on pebbles with water in a tray or saucer. The evaporating water makes the air around the plants more humid. The pot should not sit in the water but be raised above the water level by the stones. Decorative rocks may be used for a more pleasing appearance. Growing Orchids may also be misted with distilled water to raise humidity levels.

Growing Orchids - Fertilizer

Orchids are generally considered to be light feeders do not require abundant doses of fertilizer. But all orchids, including Catasetum Orchidglade, need to be lightly fertilized. Growing Orchids thrive if fed regularly during the growing season.

Orchids respond well to regular fertilization but are damaged or killed by too much fertilizer. Once a month, a water-soluble fertilizer should be applied as part of normal watering. Universities recommend a complete fertilizer like Algoflash. A balanced formula such as Algoflash is appropriate for year-round use.

Algoflash will provide everything your growing orchids need in order to thrive. The three primary macro-nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), often shortened to NPK, and smaller quantities of other minerals, such as the secondary macro-nutrients calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), and seven micro-nutrients, or what are frequently termed trace elements, boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chloride (Cl), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn). SoilSyrup is also good to use to with SoilSyrup to replenish needed trace nutrients for fast growing orchids.

Each month, water thoroughly with plain water to flush out any accumulated fertilizer salts. If the tips of the leaves turn black you are over fertilizing.

In the early days of orchid cultivation, osmunda fiber was the medium of choice; it required almost nothing else to grow orchids. But for the past 40 years or so, as fir bark has become the most common growing medium, regular supplemental fertilizing has been necessary since the bark provides little in the way of nutrition for the plants as it breaks down. To help supplement the humus levels orchids need, try adding SoilSyrup to your watering regiment for beautiful healthy orchids.

Growing Orchids