Growing Orchids Indoors
Orchids that grow in the nooks of trees in their natural habitat are more likely to thrive on a mount in your homethe miniature cattleya and the moth orchid are two orchids suitable both for beginning orchid growers and for growing on a mount.
Growing orchids indoors. There are several types of growing media that can be used with orchid plantsredwood or fir bark sphagnum peat moss rocks cork charcoal sand potting soil etc. Orchids are exquisite plants comprising over 30000 different species and over 200000 hybrid varieties making orchids one of the two largest families of plants in the world. Which orchids grow on mounts. Cool growing orchids include phragmipedium miltonia and cymbidium breeds.
A porch heated conservatory or unheated indoor room. Within nature orchids grow in locations that experience a similar drop in nighttime temperature. Phalaenopsis paphiodelium cymbidium cattleya odontoglossum oncidium miltonia and laelia. Optimal growing conditions for orchid plants these plants thrive in strong light but not direct late afternoon sunlight although dendrobiums can handle more sun.
From selecting the perfect variety to helping your orchid rebloom youll find all you need to know below. Orchids like a variety of temperatures so choose the best position in the house to suit the needs of the particular orchid you are growing. Orchids have a reputation for being tough to grow houseplantssure they may require specialized potting mix and a certain amount of water to thrive but this large diverse group of plants includes many species that are easy to grow indoors. Orchids are far tougher and hardier than most people think and are by and large extremely adaptable.
Brassavola orchids also take off on mounts although. Growing healthy orchids indoors many orchids are rewarding indoor plants. All photos by dwittkower. Orchids require little care once all their basic needs are met such as light temperature and humidity.
The showy orchids favored by most people are usually either phalaenopsis hybrids so called moth orchids or dendrobium hybrids. If you are interested in more detailed orchid care check out these great books. Be sure to check out all the information now. Cool growing orchids such as brassia cymbidium dendrobium lusidia discolor and oncidium need a minimum winter night temperature of 100c 500f.
Most orchids require moist well draining conditions. When choosing an orchid to grow on a mount take a cue from nature. Weve put together an easy guide to help you start growing orchids indoors. The most important varieties for growing orchids indoors are.
Warm growing orchids include vanda phalaenopsis and oncidium breeds.