Orchid Odontoglossum Care
The Odontoglossum (pronounced oh-don-toh-GLOS-sum) orchid’s natural habitat is in the South American Andes and Colombia. These high-altitude orchids flourish where cool temperatures prevail year round. Odontoglossums are known for their striking sprays of flowers and pleasant fragrance. The blooms have ruffled, lacy sepals and petals.
Odontoglossum Light
Light should be fairly bright. The leaves should be bright green as opposed to dark green or reddish green. Reddish green indicates too much light. Dark green indicates not enough light. They may succeed at an east window or a shaded south window.
Odontoglossum Temperature
These orchids enjoy intermediate temperatures. Day temperature ranges of 75 to 80 F during the day, and 55 to 60 F at night are best.
Odontoglossum Water
They should become moderately dry between waterings. The potting medium should just begin to dry before watering. As with other orchids from high-rainfall areas, they are particularly sensitive to poor-quality or softened water.
Odontoglossum Humidity
They enjoy moist air. Coupled with moving air, humidity should ideally be 55 to 75 percent. In the home, set the plants on trays above moist pebbles, with the pots resting above the water.
Odontoglossum Feeding
Fertilize regularly with a dilute solution of one quarter strength while plants are actively growing. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Odontoglossum Potting
Repot your orchid at least every two years. A fine-grade potting medium with excellent drainage is suggested. Ideally the plants should be repotted immediately after flowering.
Orchid Miltoniopsis Care
Miltoniopsis (pronounced mil-toh-nee-OP-siss) orchids look similar to pansies, and also similar to the Miltonia orchid. These orchids originate in the higher elevations of Colombia and is considered a cool growing orchid. They have one-leaved, flattened pseudobulbs which are tightly clustered. The flowers range in colors from pure white with a colored center to dark purple with watercolor-like rippled centers.
Miltoniopsis Light
Light for the this orchid should be relatively shaded, similar to their native clouded habitat. Direct sunlight will burn the thin leaves within a short period of time.
Miltoniopsis Temperature
They prefer cool night temperatures of 50-55 F. Unless daytime temperatures are kept under 80 F, they may not flower.
Miltoniopsis Water
Watering of these orchid plants should happen every other day during the summer months and once or twice a week during the winter months to keep them evenly moist. The Miltoniopsis orchid will grow throughout the entire year.
Miltoniopsis Humidity
These orchids enjoy moist air, requiring a humidity of at least 70 percent. Increase humidity to reduce the stress on the plants when the temperature and lighting intensity increases.
Miltoniopsis Feeding
Fertilize with balanced fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks to a month. This can be reduced by half during overcast weather or in winter. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Miltoniopsis Potting
They should be repotted every year as they are intolerant of stale conditions. This cool growing orchid does well in small pots. Any potting mix suitable for fine roots is adequate.
Orchid Miltonia Care
Miltonia (pronounced mil-TOH-nee-ah) orchids look similar to pansies, and also similar to the Miltoniopsis orchid. The Miltonias originate from Brazil and are warm-growing orchids. They have two-leaved, flattened pseudobulbs which are widely separated by a long rhizome. The flowers range in colors from pure white with a colored center to dark purple with watercolor-like rippled centers.
Miltonia Light
Bright diffused light is necessary to bring this orchid into bloom. This can include a little sun for up to two hours a day, but not direct sunlight. If plants are receiving enough light the leaves will be light green. If the leaves appear slightly pink they are receiving the most sunlight they can tolerate.
Miltonia Temperature
They prefer warmer night temperatures not below 60 F. They will take temperatures over 80 F as long as humidity levels of 70 to 75 percent are maintained.
Miltonia Water
They grow throughout the entire year and must be kept evenly moist. In their native habitat, the plants are drenched almost daily, so drench the plant in the early morning and let them dry out before nightfall.
Miltonia Humidity
Humidity is important and must be at least 70 percent because of their need for abundant water.
Miltonia Feeding
Fertilize with balanced fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks to a month. This can be reduced by half during overcast weather or in winter. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Miltonia Potting
Annual potting should be done after flowering when the new growth is starting. They tend to have a relatively elongated creeping habit and, therefore, do better mounted. Any potting mix suitable for fine roots is adequate.
Orchid Masdevallia Care
The Masdevallia (pronounced mas-deh-VAHL-lee-ah) orchid has approximately 350 different species. Their origins in cool, damp environments make them an excellent choice for cool or coastal climates. These orchids are best known for their showy flowers consisting of sepals fused into a tubelike structure, and providing intriguing colors and shapes.
Masdevallia Light
In nature, these plants grow in areas that are very shady. Place in an east or shaded south window. Plants with heavier, thicker leaves generally need more light, and those with softer, thinner leaves prefer shadier conditions.
Masdevallia Temperature
Temperatures should be cool. The ideal day temperature is 65-75 degrees F, while the ideal night temperature is 55-65 degrees F. Avoid day temperatures higher than 80 F.
Masdevallia Water
They grow throughout the entire year and must be kept evenly moist because they have minimal water-storage tissue. Roots should be allowed to become almost dry before watering again. Drench the plant in the early morning and let them dry out before nightfall. Once a week during the winter and twice a week during summer is normally sufficient.
Masdevallia Humidity
Humidity is an important factor with the ideal being at least 70%. In the home, set the plants on trays of gravel partially filled with water.
Masdevallia Feeding
Fertilize regularly with a dilute solution while plants are actively growing. Applications at one quarter strength twice a month are ideal. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Masdevallia Potting
Potting is best done in the winter or early spring, before the heat of summer arrives or as new roots are produced. Repot your orchid at least once every 2 years or when the potting medium begins to decay.
Orchid Lycaste Care
Lycaste (pronounced lye-KASS-tee) orchids produce large, long-lasting, showy flowers. The plants are distinctive for their round pseudobulbs, and broad, pleated leaves. The beauty of this orchid lies in the abundance of very large waxy flowers with a triangular geometry that cluster around the pseudobulbs.
Lycaste Light
Light requirements vary. Deciduous species require 50 to 70 percent shade. More light is usually provided as new growths form pseudoulbs. Evergreen species grow best with less light or 60 to 80 percent shade.
Lycaste Temperature
Temperatures for the evergreen species should be fairly constant and never hot. Nights of 60 F and days of 75 to 80 F are desirable. The deciduous species of lycaste can tolerate a wider range, up to 95 F during the day and down to 50 F at night when dormant in the winter.
Lycaste Water
Water should be applied freely during active growth, and the potting medium should begin to dry out between waterings. Deciduous species should be kept almost completely dry when leafless. Evergreen species should be kept only slightly drier than normal after pseudobulbs form.
Lycaste Humidity
Humidity should be maintained at 40 to 70 percent. Deciduous species need less humidity when dormant. Brisk air circulation will help prevent damage to leaves by leafspot fungi.
Lycaste Feeding
Fertilize regularly and heavily when plants are actively growing. A higher nitrogen formulation is recommended during active growth. As growths mature and pseudobulbs are produced, fertilizer is switched to a high-phosphorus formulation to stimulate flower production. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Lycaste Potting
Potting is best when new growth starts. A fine-grade potting, fast-draining medium is best. Choose a container to allow for two years of growth. Keep humidity high and the potting medium on the dry side until new roots form.
Orchid Dendrobium Care
Dendrobium (pronounced den-DROH-bee-um) is a diverse genus of orchids with different cultural needs. These orchids are noted for their upright, branching sprays of brightly colored flowers in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes. Once the first flower bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next 2 months. If the plant is kept in a bright warm spot, the plant may produce subsequent sprays of flowers.
Dendrobium Light
Sufficient lighting is must for successful cultivation. These orchids prefer either an east or a lightly shaded south facing window. Dark green leaves are an indication of insufficient lighting.
Dendrobium Temperature
Provide nighttime temperatures of 60 to 65°F and daytime temperatures of 70 to 90°F. These orchids prefer a difference in temperature between the night and day to aid in blooming.
Dendrobium Water
They should be watered about once or twice a week. Keep evenly moist while in active growth, and allow to dry between waterings
Dendrobium Humidity
They prefer 50% to 60% humidity. This can be provided in the home by placing the plants on trays of gravel, only partially filled with water so that the plants do not sit in the water.
Dendrobium Feeding
They prefer to be fertilized on a regular basis. A general rule is to apply a balanced fertilizer ‘weakly, weekly’ during the period of active growth by fertilizing every week at one quarter to one half of the recommended dilution. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Dendrobium Potting
Repotting should be done every two to three years before mix breaks down. Ideally, they should be repotted in the spring. They do best when grown in pots that are small for the size of the plant.
