Do any of you grow them ?

could you share your growing tips ?

JT bought me one and I want to try to keep it growing and maybe even another
one They are really stunning

thanx

Mach

I adore orchids!! I have a bay window in my house, and I always keep one growing there. I buy mine at Trader Joe's (I forgot to mention that on the Trader Joe's thread) The ones I get there are pretty sturdy, I can make them last for up to 5 months! The one in my window now has been around since early January and is still in bloom and has 4 new bulbs coming in. I have no real secret, I think my trick is in location, they seem to love the kind of indirect sunlight they get all day from my window. I water only once a week and I add orchid fertilizer to the water each time. Good luck, and enjoy!

PaisleyPark5083 said:

Thank you

Mach said:

These are my favorite orchids but I have no advice on how to keep them alive, mine never seem to make it past 2 weeks

I know all about some orchids, killed quite a few. But I am very good with several. Two are beginning to reflower, and I have three keikis from a third.

the three that are pretty easy for me to grow are....

ah heck... I'll just show you some pics instead

* All of these orchids pictured, never pour water on leaves...of water collects at base of leaf, mold or fungus will develop and rot the leaf off. water soil only. Never mist flower or leaves, clean dust off leaves with cotton balls and lemon juice. Blooms in direct sun with fade quicker.

OK this one is growing baby plants on the flower stem "keikis" and buy this guy while it's flowers are still in bud stage to enjoy longer blooms. Never water it too much, and it loves a sunny window.



Jewel orchids, very easy to grow but kept for the foliage, more so than blooms.






and my favorites... the lady slipper..I have two of these, one with a completely green flower, and
another with red/green mix. These light dim light, very little water.







and for the advanced, the Vanda is easy too but the care is different. Mist daily.


[Edited 3/29/08 9:52am]

I orchids too, they are beautiful!

Thanx everyone

I LOVE YOU MACH!!!

Imago said:

I LOVE YOU TOO DAN

Mach.. feel free to orgnote me anytime with any plants questions, I have several books at my disposal, if I can't answer your questions directly.

Good luck beautiful, and enjoy!

paintedlady said:

Thank you so much

Mach said:

I have 23 orchid plants....

There is a great orcid grower up near you in the Ashevillw area...if I can find his card, I will share his details via org note....and his prices are reasonable...

Orchids are not difficult to grow or cultivate, as long as you have some knowledge of their preferences on environment, temperature, and feed.

I have several orchids that live outside on the deck at my NC summer house from around June through September.....

I have had great results with Terracycle orchid food. It is made of worm poop LOL You can find Terracycle at Home Depot, but ask where it is located...it is not typically around all the other fertilizers.

Good luck

cubic61052 said:

Very cool

I hope you can find that card

I love orchids!

Imago said:

i love orchids, to hard to grow! well at least for me..anyone got tips on growing gardenia's

I have never managed to get them to last to the next flowering season. Even one I grew from a small plant that went three years before flowering then died the next year.

I hate them they taunt you with their beauty and then tell you thats the last you will see of them.

I was told that it is all to do with consistency in climate and houses vary too much from season to season and year to year. Dunno how much truth there is in that.

pardonme4livin said:

Don't you start acting all Madonna on my ass, you pampered little prissy Petunia!