Flowers

I used to be so intimidated by orchids but I’m slowly getting a handle on the different varieties and feel great satisfaction when I can get one of my Trader Joe’s orchids to rebloom.

The Wall Street Journal published an article a few months back called Orchidelirium, that highlights orchids and some creative plantings.

Here are some Orchid Care Tips from New York Botanical Garden:

Delicate yet sculptural, with incredible colors and scents, orchids are renowned for their beauty—and persnickety behavior. Follow these tips and watch your orchid thrive.

Always work with clean tools and hands. Orchids are susceptible to viruses. Keep rubbing alcohol handy, or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.

Feed weakly, weekly. Orchids require good drainage. Water saturation will kill your plant. An orchid pot (the kind with holes on the side) is wise—at a minimum, your pot must have a hole in the bottom. Water with tepid water about once a week. For extra nourishment, use an orchid fertilizer as directed, or a general house plant variety will do.

Humidity is a plus. Cluster your plants if possible or set them in gravel-lined trays with a thin layer of water. Keep the roots away from water. Orchids love eastern and southern light, but feel free to rotate. Take care not to let them scorch in a western exposure.

Best time to repot: after the last flower fades, then every year or two thereafter.

Common trouble signs: Yellow leaves mean too much water. Also, inspect the roots—if they’re deteriorating, nutrients may not be reaching the leaves. Black spots on leaves? Probably fungal. Try dusting with cinnamon, a natural fungicide.

I took all these pictures at Balboa Park’s Botanical Garden last year.  Beautiful, aren’t they?!

Tagged as: Flowers, orchids

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