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EEOS Original Articles |
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The many articles in our Orchid Culture section can solve most of your culture issues. Check them out before submitting a question. |
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AOS Culture Sheets |
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The AOS Culture Sheets are very thorough guides for growing orchids successfully. Read the one pertaining to your kind of orchid before asking a culture question. |
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Ask Your Own Question |
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If the articles and culture sheets in our Orchid Culture section did not solve your problem, feel free to submit your own orchid culture question. |
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(Posted on February 20, 2004) |
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Question |
| Two weeks ago I purchased a 430w Son Agro high pressure sodium bulb with a wide reflector to help supplement light for my cattleya orchids. They are growing in my sunroom that has windows all the way around the east, south, and west side of my house with two big skylights above. The extra light will be just for the winter months. The light is on a timer and I have it set to go on for an hour and a half before sunrise and an hour and a half after sunset. I am wondering how high above the orchids this light should be located. So far the leaves look alright but two of the orchids that had buds forming (both without a sheath) have had their buds shrivel. I have others that show buds forming inside their sheaths and they are doing fine. Hopefully you can give me some ideas on what might be the problem that could of caused the buds to shrivel and also about the height of my grow light. |
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Diane Schnabl -
Edmonton, Alberta - Canada |
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Answer |
| Make sure your lights aren't too close to the plants, and they don't burn or dehydrate them. Try to keep them at a constant humidity and don't let the temp fluctuate too much. Try some other websites that might give more info about growing with lights or in northern climates, as most of our culture tips are for plants grown in South Florida. |
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David Schaffter |
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Answer |
| Hi Diane. It is difficult to give you exact figures. It will depend on the bulb and on the plants you're growing. But I'd tell you to err on the side of caution and not place the lights too close to the plants. It might be a good idea to pick up a copy of Growing Orchids Under Lights by Charles Marden Fitch. You can find it on the American Orchid Society's web site (www.orchidweb.org). |
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Fred Armando |
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(Posted on
February 5, 2004) |
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Question |
| I am interested in attempting to grow orchids from seed, particularly cattleyas and phalaenopsis. I realize that this is a long process which requires a lot of patience, but I am interested nonetheless. I am wondering if you can recommend any good books or web sites that outline the process and offer any insight on things that may be overlooked. Thank you very much. |
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Gina Romero - Milwaukee, WI - USA |
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Answer |
| Gina, we have a very good friend, Dr. Ruben Sauleda, who is an expert in propagating orchids from seed. Please check his web site for the information you're looking for. I'm sure he can answer any questions you may have. Thanks for the question and for visiting the EEOS web site. |
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Bob Stipe |
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Answer |
| You might go to the library and check into some of the American Orchid Societys' Monthly Bulletins for the latest on growing orchids from seed. Also, Home Orchid Growing by Rebecca Northern has some useful information about propagating orchids from seed. You can find it new and used at Amazon. |
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David Schaffter |
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(Posted on December 31, 2003) |
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Question |
| I see a lot of suggestions on saving rootless orchids but none on leafless orchids! Several of my orchids have been badly damaged by excessive sun. They are all recovering with the exception of two seedlings, a neomoora and a miltonidium. The leaves have all fallen off the neomoora, and the miltonidium is left with one sad/almost falling off leaf and an extremely withered p-bulb. The roots aren't terrific but ok. How do I save them?! Also, if I am repotting, do I cut off dried roots too, or just the rotten ones? Thank you! |
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Kristina, San Francisco, CA
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Answer |
| Orchids in bad shape are a challenge to save. Leafless orchids can be tied to a stick and misted daily to try and revive. Make sure your humidity stays high and don't let orchid dry out too much. You should cut off the rotten roots & also the dry ones, as they will eventually rot also. Good, healthy roots are plump and grayish-green. |
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David Schaffter |
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(Posted on December 31, 2003) |
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Question |
| Hi! I caught my cat eating the blooms as they were falling off and I was wondering if this is going to hurt her in anyway? I have moved the Orchid back some and put something to catch the blooms so she can't get them anymore but I was wondering if there is anything else I need to do and if they were poisonous to her. Thanks. |
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Ellen Nelson |
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Answer |
| I know the snails and lubber grasshoppers love to eat orchids. I've never heard of orchids being poisonous to eat. I think more damage was done to your orchid than to your cat by eating on the orchid. |
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David Schaffter |
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Answer |
| Ellen, some orchid species are edible. Your cat eating the blooms of your orchid probably won't harm it, unless the bloom has insecticide on it, but you should consult with your veterinarian to be sure. Thanks for the question and for visiting the EEOS web site. |
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Bob Stipe |
| How many different types are there of orchids? |
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Patricia Hall - Mobile, AL - USA |
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Answer |
| Dear Patricia: There are about 30,000 to 35,000 known species of orchids in the world. Many of them are not desireable for collectors or show. There are about twice as many hybrids that people have produced over the years. |
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David Schaffter |
| There a plenty of wild orchids available in my area (sub himalayan region) and I would like to know whether these can be potted. Any info on their maintenance i.e. watering, type of soil, compost etc. would be appreciated. How long would it take for these potted orchids to flower? I am a new hand and am interested to take up orchid growing as a hobby. Please help! |
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Sadhanadeori - Pasighat, India |
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Answer |
| It's hard to tell what type of medium to pot your orchids in, because different types of orchids take different types of medium. It would be best for you to go to a local nursery and find out each orchid's type of cultivation and growing requirements. Our web site also has culture tips available. |
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David Schaffter |
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Answer |
| I would suggest that the best way to get information about the cultivation of Indian orchids is to contact Indian orchid nurseries. There is an Indian web site, run by a fellow named "Jags" (http://www.orchidsasia.com) which offers help in growing orchids precisely from your region of India. In my experience, the trick to growing orchids from India in the U.S is to pay strict attention to their seasonal requirements of water and temperature. |
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Dr. Bert Pressman |
| I have a land on Hendry County, and I like first to get some literature about Orchids, I have 5 in my home, but after September 11, I decided to star my own business, for commercial, were can I start?, I will need a green house? What implements and materials may I need, as you can see I need a lot of help. |
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Gladys - Pembroke Pines, FL - USA |
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Answer |
| Dear Gladys: Before going into any business, whether it be selling orchids or autos, you want to research out the market very thoroughly before investing a lot of money into the business. First, I would visit as many of the other orchid growers as you can, to get a "feel" for the business. Ask yourself if you are going to sell retail or wholesale? Who are your customers? Where are you getting your stock & what investment do you have to make? There are many more questions you need to find out answers to. I think there might be some good books in the library or even some old Orchid Bulletin articles on the subject. After all the research and you still feel comfortable with pursuing your dream, then "go for it." Just remember: any successful business requires many, many hours of hard work, sacrifice, and a little bit of luck. |
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David Schaffter |
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