Health Benefits:           Orchids are one of the beautiful air purifiers which take in carbon dioxide and release more and more oxygen in the surrounding.

                                                   Their fresh and colorful look reduces stress and at some extent the risk of cardiac diseases.

 

                                                   Orchids maintain a good proportion of humidity in the air which might help to avoid dry skin, sore throats, etc.

 

Pot Selection:                 The root system of Orchids is very small. Usually the pot selection for Orchids depend on the type of Orchids at your home. 

 

                                                   Orchids require better drainage so if you prefer clay or plastic (Terracotta) pots make sure it has comparatively larger holes at bottom
                                                   as well as around the sides. Your pot should be strong enough to support top-heavy blooms and root-bound growth of orchids.

 

                                                   For top-heavy orchids, shorter pots with large bases are a good choice. 

 

                                                   If you choose Terracotta pot to fill it with fine potting mixture and if clay pot you can use a coarse potting mix. However, Terracotta pots                                                     are preferred for good airflow.

 

                                                   There are multiple options available in the market such as net pots, plastic pots, wooden baskets, plastic baskets with the net inside etc.

 

Sowing:                               There are 2 techniques for germinating the Orchid seeds, one Symbiotic Germination and another Asymbiotic Germination;

 

                                                   Symbiotic Germination includes mycorrhizal fungi that are being contained inside the seed. When seeds get in touch with the soil these

                                                   fungi enter the root and convert nutrients into the usable form. This is the case with open-air propagations for existing Orchid plants.

 

                                                   Another one is Asymbiotic Germination or Flasking in vitro that uses Agar. Agar is a jellylike substance that contains the necessary                                                               amount of nutrients and growth hormones for Orchids. This method is considered easier and quicker than the first one.

 

                                                   (Know more about: How to prepare Agar for orchids?)

 

Sterilization of Orchid seedlings

 

Step 1:

Sterilization of Orchid seedlings is the next necessary step. Every equipment to be used such as grill, forceps, scalpel and knife, containers, etc. should be                  sterilized carefully using Ethanol. Do not touch the seeds directly by your hands, use well-sterilized rubber gloves instead. Sterilize the seed capsules with the bleach for 15 minutes.

 

Step 2:

Fill the cooking pot with water and bring it to boil, place the sterilized grill on it. Place an Ethanol soaked paper towel on the grill take out the seed capsules from bleach using forceps and putting them on the paper towel.

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Step 3:

Use the sterilized scalpel or knife to grab out the seeds from the seed capsules. Open the sterilized container over the steam of boiling water and then place the seeds inside it using forceps.

 

Step 4:

Cover the Container with the aluminum foil and place it at the place where there is no direct sun for 30 to 60 days. 

 

Step 5:

Transplantation is the next step! take out the thinned seeds of orchids from the container and place them with a new one along with Agar. When you see the growth of seedlings transplant them in the pot you have selected to plant orchids.

 

Step 6:

Leaving 2 inches of space from the edge of the pot inside fill the pot with coarse bark and below that fill the pot with moist compost mixture (and not planting mixture).

 

Step 7:

Place this container in the boiling water to soften the Agar placed inside it and after 45 minutes take a loop of wire to take the seedlings out of the container

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Step 8:

Wash these seedlings with lukewarm water to remove the Agar on it and put them in the pot and put it in a warm place where it can get sufficient sunlight. Water it frequently every day. 

 

Temperature:                While Summer Orchids require 80 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit at daytime and 60 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. While Winter 60 - 70
                                                   degrees Fahrenheit at daytime and 50 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. In intermediate conditions 70 - 80 degrees Fahrenheit at
                                                   daytime and 55 - 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

 

Sunlight:                            The direct sun can burn your orchids so indirect but bright light can help them to grow well. The color of leaves will tell you if your plant
                                                   is getting enough light or not;

                  

                                                        1.   If leaves are bright green it means your plant is getting an adequate amount of light,

                                                       2.  Dark green leaves means it is not getting enough light and red brown or yellow leaves means it is being exposed to too much light.

 

Potting Mixture:           When it comes to the potting mixture, Orchids do not accept the standard mixture or normal garden soil, It requires a light, porous and 
                                                   fast-draining one. Aeration and drainage capacity should be taken in considerations while using

                                                   the potting mixture for orchids.

 

                                                   Some special orchid potting mixes are available there in the market which is made up of some fine or coarse fir barks in combination 
                                                   with horticultural charcoal, perlite, and peat moss to retain the moisture as Orchids are fair with moisture.

                                                   (Soil pH = 5.5 to 6.5, quite acidic)

 

                                                   The easiest and cheaper way of preparing potting mixture for the orchid is;

 

                                                                                                       Charcoal + pieces of coconut husk + bark of a tree which has a big girth 

 

                                                   Note: The bark should be sterilized before using. To do so heat it in a pan on a medium flame for at least 20 minutes.

 

Water needs:                 Overwatering would rot and kill the Orchids root. Water it just to prevent from drying out. When you see that the potting mix is dry you                                                         can put some water in it.

 

                                                   Whenever you water the orchids, water until it starts running out of the pot, that will also, remove unwanted salt produced in the soil.

 

                                                   The color of roots shows if your Orchids are getting enough water or not;

                                                                                           White roots                                      healthy roots,

                                                                                           Grey roots                                        deficiency of water and

                                                                                           Red, Brown or black roots           rot in the roots so do not water more.

 

Fertilizers:                         During spring and summer fertilize your Orchids every 2 weeks and once a month during winter and in intermediate condition weekly
                                                   with 30-10-10 NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in 30-10-10 percentages respectively).

 

                                                   Once the orchids start blooming prefer 20-20-20 NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in 20-20-20 percentages respectively)

 

Pests and Cure:            Observe your plants for insects like aphids, scales, mealybugs, thrips and animals like snails and slugs.

 

                                                   You can get rid of insects by sprinkling some soap diluted in water, Neem Oil or Isopropyl alcohol. 

 

                                                   For snails and slugs, you can use a beer trap.

 

Repotting orchids:               

 

If the roots of Orchids are spilling out of the pot or if you see break down in the potting mix, it means the orchids need repotting.

                                              

All the equipment should be sterilized before use including the new pot and anything you are going to use it for repotting. Wash your hands properly.

 

The pot should be 2-3 cm larger than the existing one. Take the orchid potting mix in a bowl and add some boiling water. Once the water is cool to the room temperature drain it out from the potting mix.

 

Fill the new pot with the soaked potting medium. Gently take the plant out of the pot and cut off hollow, spongy, and blackened roots if any. Place the plant in the pot in such a way that the base should get aligned with the top of the potting medium. Use a sterilized stick or chopstick to push the potting medium in between the roots.

 

Keep the potting medium wet with water for at least a week.

 

Special Care
 

•  Water the orchids once in the winter and twice in the summer only if the potting mixture is dry.

•  When the air is dry spray some water tepid (lukewarm) water over the orchids.

•  While potting or repotting the orchids all types of equipment should be well sterilized 

•  Provide an adequate amount of water and air to rescue your plant from roots rot

•  Do not leave water on top of the plant (crown) to safeguard it from crown rot

•  Cut off the leaves which are having spots on their surface but keep away the  the tool you have used to cut the diseased leaf from any another healthy part
  of the plant

• If you have Cattleya orchid then repot it either the blooming period is over or before root growth.