Orchid Paphiopedilum Care
Paphiopedilums (pronounced paff-ee-oh-PED-ih-lum) originate in the jungles of the Far East, and are refered to as the lady slipper orchid. They are one of the most intriguing of all orchids with waxy, richly colored blooms that sometimes last for months.
Paphiopedilum Light
They require a bright location but protect from mid-day sun, as in the home in an east or west window, or near a shaded south window. Leaves should be a medium-green color. If they are too pale or yellowish, the plant could be getting too much light.
Paphiopedilum Temperature
These orchids are separated into warm-growing mottled-leaved types, and the cool-growing green-leaved types. Warm-growing types should be kept at 75 to 85 F during the day, and 60 to 65 F during the night. Cool-growing types should be kept at 75 to 80 F during the day, and 50 to 60 F during the night.
Paphiopedilum Water
These orchids should never dry out in between waterings. Water must be available at the roots constantly, not soggy, but never dry.
Paphiopedilum Humidity
Humidity should be moderate, between 50 and 60 percent, which can be maintained in the home by setting the plants on trays of gravel, partially filled with water, so that the plants never sit in water.
Paphiopedilum Feeding
Fertilize on a regular schedule, but care must be taken to avoid burning of the fleshy, hairy roots. Use half-strength applications every two weeks, or one-quarter strength at every watering. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Paphiopedilum Potting
Potting should be done about every two years, or as the medium decomposes. Ideally, they should be repotted immediately after flowering.
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Orchid Oncidium Care
Oncidium (pronounced on-SID-ee-um) orchids originate anywhere from sea level in the tropics to the high elevations of the Andes. These orchids are epiphytic, and prefer to have their roots exposed to the air. Generally, they feature small flowers, large pseudobulbs, and slender leaves. The flower size is smaller than most orchids, but they have many flowers on each spike, with colors ranging from yellow to bronze, white with pink, and dark red.
Oncidium Light
Lighting needs will vary from bright to almost full sun depending on the species. Most will thrive with one to several hours of sun a day.
Oncidium Temperature
Optimum temperatures are 80 to 85 F during the day and 55 to 60 F during the night to initiate flowers.
Oncidium Water
Watering should be thorough, and the medium should dry at least halfway through the pot before watering again. This may be every two to ten days depending on your conditions.
Oncidium Humidity
They require less humidity than other orchids. Humidity should be between 40 and 60 percent.
Oncidium Feeding
Fertilize regularly while plants are actively growing. Applications once or twice a month are sufficient, and flush with clear water once a month.
Oncidium Potting
Potting should be done when new growth is about one-half mature, which is usually in the spring. Fine-grade potting media are usually used with fine-rooted plants and coarser mixes with large-rooted plants. This allows the drying between waterings.
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.
