How to grow orchids at home
<p>Orchid flowers look delicate and magical but the plants naturally occur in some pretty tough environments, which makes many of them surprisingly hardy.</p>
<p>Different orchids have different growing needs. In the tropics, moth, slipper, cattleya and vanda orchids all thrive.</p>
<p>Most of these will also grow further south as indoor plants or in a greenhouse.</p>
<p>Although they’re mostly found in temperate regions, dendrobiums and cymbidiums will do well anywhere frost-free, and you can try them in frosty areas if you have a greenhouse.</p>
<p>Landscape architect and TV host Brendan Moar says orchids are one of his all-time favourite plants.</p>
<p>‘They’re an amazing flower and I’m constantly asking myself what can I do with them,’ says Brendan.</p>
<p>‘Orchids are one of those plants you become captivated by and you try your hardest with, but you might fail spectacularly if they’re not the right ones for your area.’</p>
<p>Luckily, there are so many varieties, you can make the right choice for practically anywhere.</p>
<p><strong>Potting up orchids</strong></p>
<p>Containers with side drainage holes work well for orchids, as do plastic pots.</p>
<p>All orchids like to sit tightly in their pots and prefer to not be disturbed, so let them become quite crowded before you repot.</p>
<p>Tropical orchids do well in hanging baskets.</p>
<p>Cattleyas prefer pots that are wider than they are deep.</p>
<p>Vanda orchids like timber baskets and clay pots, as they have roots that prefer to climb outside their container.</p>
<p>All orchids need a free-draining specialist potting mix, with most based on bark chips.</p>
<p>Moth orchids like a richer mix.</p>
<p>If the mix has added fertiliser, reduce additional feeding for the first year.</p>
<p>If you make your own mix, soak the bark chips in hot water for a day first to leach excess tannins, and talk to your local orchid club about the best mix for each type.</p>
<p><strong>TIP:</strong> Label each plant pot and if you’re repotting, include the date.</p>
<p><strong>Care and maintenance</strong></p>
<p>Orchids love humidity and most have similar basic needs but check the plant label for specific requirements.</p>
<p>Water as needed in hot dry weather and up to daily in summer, depending on the variety, and mist regularly.</p>
<p>Part-fill a bucket then immerse the pot to brim level for 15 minutes.</p>
<p>Most like their mix to just dry out between waterings but some, like cymbidiums, can dry out entirely.</p>
<p>Slippers prefer constant moisture.</p>
<p><strong>Fertilise according to orchid type.</strong></p>
<p>Mix the food with the water in the bucket you use to water the plant.</p>
<p>Position in filtered light, about 50%, in summer and full sun in winter, moving as necessary.</p>
<p>All orchids need freely circulating air, without strong winds or constant draughts.</p>
<p>Zap aphids, scale and mealy bug by spraying with pest oil or remove by hand, and protect from slugs and snails.</p>
<p>Good positioning helps prevent pest and disease problems.</p>
<p>To grow orchids indoors choose a well-lit spot, out of direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.</p>
<p>Stand the pots on a tray of gravel and water into the tray to create humidity, making sure the roots don’t touch the gravel.</p>
<p><strong>Choosing the right orchid</strong></p>
<p>There are thousands of orchid varieties out there, so we’ve listed the six most common to help you choose a type to suit your zone conditions.</p>
<p><strong>TIP:</strong> In colder or more mountainous regions, you’ll need a greenhouse even for cymbidiums.</p>
<p><strong>Cymbidium</strong></p>
<p>Super easy to grow in most regions, cymbidium flowers range in colour from deep chocolate to citrus yellow.</p>
<p>Feed weekly with high-potassium, full-strength fertiliser from August to December and a high-nitrogen fertiliser the rest of the year.</p>
<p><strong>TIP:</strong> Move to a higher, lighter position if the plant is not flowering.</p>
<p><strong>Dendrobium</strong></p>
<p>Dendrobium orchids are top picks for temperate regions.</p>
<p>There is a huge range of species and cultivars, so check the specific light and growing needs of your particular dendrobium.</p>
<p>Feed fortnightly from October to April with half-strength orchid fertiliser, and protect from excess water in winter as buds form.</p>
<p><strong>Moth</strong></p>
<p>At home in a tropical shadehouse, moth orchids are more often found in bathrooms and living rooms around the country, and the blooms can last for up to three months.</p>
<p>Feed fortnightly year-round and ensure they have rich, moist potting mix and warm, humid conditions in filtered light, away from direct sun.</p>
<p><strong>Slipper</strong></p>
<p>Shade-loving slipper orchids prefer low to medium light, though some varieties can handle more.</p>
<p>These tropical plants love humidity and don’t cope well without water.</p>
<p>Feed fortnightly except when dormant with half-strength fertiliser.</p>
<p><strong>TIP:</strong> Too much sun causes yellow leaves, too much shade causes no flowers.</p>
<p><strong>Vanda</strong></p>
<p>Happiest in the tropics, vandas can grow further south if kept dry over winter.</p>
<p>They have air-loving roots that roam outside their pots and need protection from damage.</p>
<p>Feed weekly using high-potassium fertiliser from September to March.</p>
<p><strong>TIP:</strong> Partner with Spanish moss and bromeliads to keep the humidity high.</p>
<p><strong>Cattleya</strong></p>
<p>Truly tropical, these orchids won’t grow below about 10°C.</p>
<p>If your area drops a degree or two below this, try them indoors.</p>
<p>They like bright filtered light, but leaves yellow and growth slows if they get too much.</p>
<p>Feed weekly with quarter-strength fertiliser when the plant is in active growth and showing green tips.</p>
<p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/how-grow-orchids-home">Handyman Australia</a>.</em></p>
