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• not easily damaged / rotten.
• not be a source of disease.
• have good aeration.
• capable of binding water and nutrient substances as well.
• mild.
• easy to obtain the desired amount.
• relatively cheap price.
Planting media can consist of one type of material or a mixture of several ingredients.
Some good materials as planting media for orchids:
• Cork:
Did not break down (decay), a mild but can not absorb water well. Can be used in the piece is mixed with other materials. Can also be used for orchids is posted.
• Charcoal:
No easy decayed, mild, not easily overgrown with fungi and bacteria, but less water absorption and less contain nutrient elements.
• Perlite:
from volcanic material, white, like rocks. Has a binding power of water, aeration and good drainage. Can be mixed with other materials. Weakness, no nutrients and difficult to obtain.
• pumice stone:
has a binding power of water, aeration and drainage is good and durable. Can be mixed with other materials such as pieces of fern, coconut fiber, charcoal, etc..
• Ferns:
has a binding power of water, aeration and drainage is good (quick dry), durable (not quickly decayed), and contains nutrient elements required for the growth of orchids. Ferns good board used for paste orchids.
• Skin pine / fir:
Specifications similar to ferns but rather difficult to obtain. Usually used for orchids which like quick-drying medium, such as Cattleya.
• Pieces of coconut coir (Coco husk chips):
This is the coconut fiber that has been cleaned and in-press and cut into rectangular pieces. Before you use must be soaked first to remove the remaining salt contained in the fiber. Power saving water is very good and contains elements necessary nutrients.
• Sphagnum moss:
Has a binding power of good water, and aeration and drainage have good also. The weakness, if it has been very difficult to dry in the back and a little basahkan expensive.
• The bricks and broken tiles:
Broken bricks widely used as basic medium for potted orchids to absorb water well, has a drainage capacity and good aeration, but a little heavy.
• Styro foam:
Styro foam pieces can be as basic medium for potted orchids to absorb water and have drainage and good aeration and light. Weakness, rather difficult to obtain.
The main criteria in choosing the media for orchid plant is a combination of the watering habits of masing2 people and the need for water orchids. If used frequently watered, so do not use very good media binding water (eg sphagnum moss) for phalaenopsis orchid as it will cause the roots to rot because most of the water.
pH media for orchid planting should be around 5,5-6,5. If damaged / rotten (acid) immediately do the replacement media (repotting).
To determine the small of the media to be used, depending on the thin thick roots. If roots thick, the large pieces will fit, and vice versa if the small roots are the pieces is the best.
air circulation
Orchids do not like the silent air. In their natural habitat, most orchids grow on trees where the wind is always blowing.
Air circulation will help:
• regulate the internal temperature of plants, because plants can not manage alone.
• drain excess moisture that can accumulate in plants.
• distribute hot and cold air evenly for preventing the formation of harmful air bags.
• prevent the emergence of bacteria and fungus / mold that can make a rotten roots and leaves.
• cool the leaves when exposed to heat.
Orchids require clean air and fresh. Air pollution can damage the lives of orchids.
Hanging potted orchid is one of the easiest ways to get good air circulation. Besides, to help drain the media more quickly after watering and insects such as ants make more difficult for the attack.
To help the good air circulation inside the room can use a fan.
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general.
fertilization
Most orchids grow above ground (usually attached to the tree) and they get food from rain water that contains nutrients content (nutrients) that low levels, most orchids are not "heavy eaters".
Nutrient processed by plants through photosynthesis in the leaves of a process that will produce the carbohydrates needed for growth and development of orchids.
Nutrients can be obtained from compound fertilizer containing the main content of Nitrogen, and Potassium Phosporus (K), or commonly abbreviated as NPK. The percentage of NPK elements are usually listed on the label. For example: 45-10-10, means the fertilizer contains 45% Nitrogen, 10% and 10% Phosporus Potassium.
Nitrogen is important for plant growth (vegetative growth). If the excess will lead to growth in excess of normal (overweight) and will slow down the flowering (growth generative). Conversely, if the lack of nitrogen will cause plants to be stunted.
Phosporus useful to set up several activities to like: the formation of cells, encouraging root growth and stimulate flowering (growth generative). Phosporus deficiency will also cause the plants to be stunted and dark green leaves.
Potassium is useful for healthy growth. Shortage will cause the plants to be stunted.
In addition to the basic elements (N, P and K) or the so-called macro nutrients (macronutrients), plants also need other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron etc which are usually called micro-nutrients (micronutrients) because the plants require only very little compared to N, P and K.
Fertilizer is ideal if the addition of nutrient elements also contain micro nutrients.
Based on construction materials, fertilizers generally divided into 2 types, namely:
• Fertilizer artificial / synthetic, ie fertilizer made from bahan2 chemical processing.
Example: Grow More, Hyponex, Dekastar, Vitabloom, etc..
• Organic fertilizer, which fertilizer made from organic bahan2 like manure (compost), fish oil, etc..
The procedure recommended fertilization:
• The seeds of plants given fertilizer with a high content of N (45-10-10).
For teens plants given fertilizer containing N, P, K-balanced (20-20-20).
And age of flowering plants can be interspersed with high P-yield fertilizer (10-40-15).
• Apply fertilizer with a lower dose of the rules listed on the packaging. Less is better than most.
Excessive fertilization is useless because the orchids are unable to absorb food quickly.
Salt that arise (shaped like a white crust) on the media and around the pot, or the end of the black leaves are a sign of excess fertilizer. Roots will be black if exposed to salt it, and if ongoing can cause plants to die.
• Apply fertilizer in the morning (7-9 hours in the morning), because the morning sun to help the distribution of these nutrients.
Avoid fertilizing during the day because it can burn the leaves.
• We recommend that you first flush the whole plant including the leaves with plain water before spraying fertilizer.
• Spray the fertilizer into other parts of plants (roots, stems, leaves) including the lower leaves.
Nutrients that enter the leaf through the stomata (mouths leaves) will be processed faster than those entering through the roots, because the process of photosynthesis in leaves was also performed.
There is an interesting article (click here) on plant breeding with the help of the sound of birds singing or garengpung.
• Once a month, soak or spray continuously orchid pots with clean water for a few minutes to clean and remove the remaining salt that may arise from excess fertilizer in the planting medium. Besides, to remove all remaining media destroyed plant.
• Fertilizer can be mixed with insecticides or fungicides according to their proportion.
• Do not give fertilizer on the sick plants.
I myself now more use of organic fertilizers (TopSoil, Neem Oil, etc.) rather than synthetic fertilizers. The surplus, environmentally friendly and drawbacks, rather smelly.
From several sites and nursery orchid lovers abroad, they use English salt (Epsom salts or magnesium sulfate) as a supplement (additional nutrients) for the orchids. Magnesium (Mg) is one of the essential micro-nutrient elements for growth and the beginning of the process of flowering orchids. In rain water, ground water, artificial fertilizer (Grow more, Hyponex, etc.) already present in the amount of Mg element a bit.
British Salt cheaper and can be purchased in stores or pharmacies chemistry. I myself have tried to measure 1 / 2 teaspoon for 2 l of water and given 2 weeks into other parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots). Until now has not seen tanda2 negative effects.
Please read the orchid-lovers experience on this British salt and it never hurts to try.
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general.
watering
As epiphyt, the habitat most orchids get water from dew and rain water.
Because it comes from evaporation, rain water contains lots of useful substances as nutrients for plants. Precipitation is slightly acidic (pH around 5.5-6.5) is very good for orchids.
But based on the research, the rain water in some areas in Indonesia is becoming akhir2 acidic (pH less than 5). To be suitable for orchids, its pH should be raised (See: Aneka tips).
Water quality is very important for the growth of orchids. Do not use water that is not clean (contamination) such as river water, wastewater, etc..
Orchids should not be lack or excess water. Excess water here does not mean much but the water that poured penyiramannya frequency. Flush only when plants need it.
The main problem for most beginners is excessive watering, because the media saw a dry surface when the media is still wet bottom.
The frequency of watering depends on:
• Age of orchids:
orchid during the flowering growth or require more water.
• orchid species:
Example: Phalaenopsis not be short of water because it does not have Pseudobulb (pseudo bulbs) as water storage organs, while having Pseudobulb Cattleya, watered when the medium is dry.
• planting media type:
good medium rare bind more water because of long dry penyiramannya (fern dries slower than charcoal).
• Pot size:
media in small pots dries faster than the pot size larger.
• conditions:
conditions one place to another place is different, which affects the speed of drying media.
Example: orchids, ferns are placed on boards or hung more frequent watering because the faster drying.
• The temperature, light and humidity:
the higher the temperature the more frequent watering, the higher the humidity the more rarely watered. If the sun decreases, reduce penyiramannya.
Excess water can cause rotting at the roots, thus eliminating the ability of plants to absorb water because of damage to the roots. Sign of the excess water is the root of the dark-colored and soft, if prolonged would be rotten.
Conversely, lack of water will cause dehydration and consequently the plants become thin and limp leaves.
Trunk or pseudo bulbs (Pseudobulb) the contract is a sign the plant is less able to absorb water. This could be caused by too much watering before so akar2nya decay. Or if akar2nya healthy, because it is less in penyiramannya.
At the time of flush water that may have lived in sela2 leaves, base of leaves or new shoots. If the water is settled overnight and the temperature became cold and damp will encourage the emergence of bacteria and fungi that can spoil the leaves that eventually can kill orchids.
Watering ordinances are recommended:
• Flush only when a sunny day. If cloudy or rainy, better penyiramannya postponed.
• Flush early as possible so that the remaining water left in the sela2 leaves or young shoots dry before nightfall.
• Flush with water temperature was. Do not flush the plants with water that is too cold or hot.
• Sprinkle the top of all the plants and planting media to water down and out again through the hole under the pot.
• Do not put the pot down a mean composite to save watering (water from the above pots down into the pot below it) because if the potted orchids on top of the infected / infectious fungi on orchid would be underneath.
• water pressure when watering not too strong so as not to damage the plants.
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general.
humidity
Orchids need humidity is relatively higher compared with other plant species.
Humidity is water vapor in the air. The temperature determines the amount of water vapor that can be stored in the air.
Moisture level is measured by relative humidity (relative humidity) in units of percent showing the number of water vapor in the air than the maximum water vapor that can be stored at a particular temperature.
Hot air hold more moisture than cold air, so if the temperature rises the percentage of water vapor in the air will fall. If the humidity exceeds 100%, then the water vapor condenses in the form of rain.
Tools to measure the relative humidity is called a hygrometer.
In general, orchids like humidity ranged between 40% s / d 80%.
Humidity is very important for several genera such as Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, etc..
Spray the plants in the morning, soaking the floor or using a humidifier (room humidifier) can help increase humidity.
Air must always move around plants to prevent spread of bacteria and fungi diseases, especially if there is high humidity and / or cold temperatures.
To reduce the air humidity can use the fan.
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general.
Each type of orchid requires a minimum temperature limit and the corresponding maximum in order to grow well.
Based on the appropriate temperature, orchids are divided into 3 types:
• Orchid cold temperatures (mountains, altitude 2000-4000m): grows well at a temperature of 15-21 ° C during the day and 10-13 ° C at night.
Example: Cymbidium, Masdevallia, Miltonia, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum
• Orchid temperature was (plateau, 750-2000m): grows well at a temperature of 21-32 ° C during the day and 10-18 ° C at night.
Example: Brassavola, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Laelia, Paphiopedilum (molted leaves), Phalaenopsis.
• Orchid temperatures (lowland, 0-750m): grows well at a temperature of 26-35 ° C during the day and 18-24 ° C at night.
Example: Several types of Phalaenopsis, Vanda and Dendrobium.
Temperature limits for each genus above is based on the genus in general, some species have different tolerances.
Hybrids produced from crossing orchids of different types of temperatures will have greater tolerance for differences in temperature.
As an illustration to see the type of orchid can be seen on the temperature of the leaves. Cold type of orchid leaves are usually thin, whereas the thick-leafed type of heat. Of course there must be an exception. There are some orchids which do not heat the thick leaves, and vice versa.
To form the flower, the plant produces energy in the form of carbohydrates during the day when the high temperature and store it at night when temperatures fall.
Generally most orchids require the temperature difference of about 4-6 ° C between day and night for the formation of flowers. There are some differences in the genus that require a higher temperature (8-10 ° C).
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general
Light is a very important factor for the life of orchids, namely for the photosynthesis process that produces energy for growth and flower production.
Each type of orchid requires a different light depending on where they live in their natural habitat.
The need for light consists of light intensity and duration of illumination. Morning sun is very important for all types of orchids.
Are orchids get enough light, can be seen from the color of the leaves.
If the light green or light green shoots and on young leaves look a bit shiny so orchids get enough light they will be.
If the dark green, indicating they will be the lack of light orchids.
And if a little reddish or purple orchids indicate they will accept a maximum of light capable of receiving, if the combined intensity will burn the leaves.
Light intensity is often measured in units of foot-candles (fc), which is theoretically 1 = foot-candles of light received by the light of a candle with a distance of 1 foot (30.48cm).
For comparison, the light outside the house at noon kira2 more than 10,000 ft, while in the house about 50 fc.
The actual light intensity is difficult to measure with our eyes because the eye will easily adapt to the lighting around it. To measure it can use Light Meters commonly used in photography, but the price is quite expensive.
As a basic rule:
• In 1500 fc, all types of orchids can survive, but not all can grow well and bloom.
1500 fc is 15% of the brightness of the sun, for example: under the shade of trees throughout the day.
• In 5000 fc, type of orchid that require bright light to bloom. 5000 fc is 50% of the sun, for example: the open air with cloudy conditions.
• Only a few species of orchids that can be grown both under and above 1500 fc 5000 fc.
In general, the light needs to masing2 orchid species can be grouped as follows:
• very bright light (full sun):
direct sunlight unhindered for more than 6 hours, equivalent to more than 5000 fc.
• Bright light (high light):
direct sunlight without blocked for 4-6 hours (direct sunlight in the morning and evening, and sheltered at midday) or all day if cloudy conditions, approximately 3000-5000 ft or 50% -70% under the shade (shade).
• Light is (medium light):
direct sunlight without any obstructed or about 4 hours of sunlight during the day indirectly, around 2000-3000 ft or 70% -80% shade.
• Light shade (low light):
kira2 sun for 1-2 hours (in the morning), about 1000-2000 ft or 80% -90% shade.
• The light is very shade (full shade):
kira2 sun for 1 hour (in the morning) or less each day, around 1000-1500 ft or 90% shade.
Note: The sun at noon brighter / hotter than the morning or late afternoon.
Light needs to masing2 genus is as follows:
• Bulbophyllum: light is
• Cattleya: moderate to bright light
• Coelogyne: light to medium shade
• Dendrobium: moderate to bright light
• Cymbidium: very light
• Oncidium: moderate to bright light
• Paphiopedilum: light to medium shade
• Phalaenopsis: light to medium shade
• Vanda: moderate to bright light at all
Note: The need of light for the genus above is based on the genus in general, there are several species have different needs.
Due to lack of light:
• crop becomes thin and slow growth,
• leaves are long, thin, limp and dark green.
• difficult to be flowering or flowering with poor quality (small and few in number).
To increase the light, move the orchids to a brighter location. But hati2 the transfer because the plants have long been in the dim light, the leaves will burn easily because the light brighter. So gradual adjustments needed.
Most orchids do not like to be moved into place. Every time it moved the plant will adjust back to the direction and intensity of the light it receives, and all changes related to the environment in its new venue.
Because all enersinya used to adapt, then there is no growth in these orchids. The more different between the conditions of the old and new where the longer period of adaptation. Length of the adjustment also depends on the type of orchid.
Red pigment produced by several species of orchids (the rod, the new shoots, leaves) showed that the maximum amount of light needed has been reached.
If the light plus the red pigment produced becomes more, and finally the leaves will have dark brown spots or yellow leaves on fire due to heat generated effects light.
Due to excess light:
• leaf cells become damaged and yellowed leaves because of fire,
• plants will grow up too fast (not yet reached the normal size has stopped growing).
To reduce the light, move into a more shaded location (under a tree) or use protective roof (paranet) above.
In addition to growth, the light will also affect the direction and shape its growth. The direction of growth of the plant will follow the direction of light sources. For example, stem and flower stalk will grow upward (toward the source of light) and the roots will grow opposite the source of light.
Tip: To get the best flower display, when the buds begin to form on the flower stalks, do not change the direction / location of the pot because it will change direction which tended flower towards the source of light.
Orchids can be planted in the house with the help in the light.
See site: The Orchid House and Growing Orchids Under Lights for Beginners.
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general. For treatment according to type (genus) it, please see the specific pages of the genus.
Caring for orchids is not as difficult as imagined. In general, in order to grow orchids well, we should "imitate" the conditions under which these orchids live in the habitat. While orchid hybrids (hybrid) is more easily adaptable than their parents and more tolerant of different environments.
Maintaining orchids need high patience. Some 3-4 years after treatment and then bloom. There are treated specially when not flowering, but when left to grow as it is actually flowering diligent.
Orchid plants including relatively slow growth rate. The speed of growth is also different for masing2 species of orchids. That's what the beginners kadang2 causes less patient became "desperate" middle of the road because after a few months yet preserved orchid show significant growth. In contrast to other plants in a few months may have a lot of interest.
Good growth can not be separated from how to treat them.
Recommended for beginners to start with the easy care orchids such as Cattleya, Dendrobium and Oncidium.
In general, growth and development of orchids are divided into 2 stages, namely:
• Vegetative growth: increasing the size of seed crops to be grown.
• generative growth: the growth of the means to reproduce (flower and fruit).
Important Faktor2 affecting orchid growth and development include:
• Light
• Temperatures
• humidity
• Watering
• Fertilization
• Air Circulation
• Planting media
• Repotting
• Pests & diseases
Breeding ORCHID
Orchids can be propagated by the way:
• Breeding generative:
Propagation by seed ripe fruit.
Early ripe fruit depends on orchid orchid species, and climate also affect fruit maturity.
This generative breeding requires special treatment of them must be sterile seeds from pests and diseases.
• Breeding vegetative:
Breeding by taking the parent plant as:
o Stek for monopodial type.
o Splitting clumps for simpodial type.
Keiki o, ie children who grow plants from stem top (dendrobium), or flower stalks (phalaenopsis).
o tissue culture, which is taking part for the augmented plant tissue through the process in the laboratory. In this way could produce a virus-free plants, although infected with the parent plant.
ORCHID NAME
Like other plant families, in general, orchids are divided into large groups called the genus (genera) and divided into sub-genus that they will classify members of the genus (species) that have similar characteristics. Of a species which may have had a few varieties, for example: dendrobium anosmum var. Superbum, dendrobium anosmum var. huttonii, etc..
As usual all the plants, orchids even have names. Both were based on the name of science that uses Latin name or the name given by residents where they will grow orchids (local name / popularity).
For uniformity scientifically, a plant using the binomial naming system (a double). So that each orchid has a first name (first name) and last name (last name) as the name most people.
The first word indicates genus (or if intergenerik tsb hybrid orchid between genus).
The second word is the name speciesnya (or the name given by penyilangnya to orchid hybrid).
In order for a hybrid orchid results can be recognized by the whole world, the orchid should be registered at the International Orchid Registrar is currently managed by The Royal Horticultural Society.
Description: The intersection is the intersection between intergenerik genus in one family, for example:
• Doritis with Phalaenopsis.
• Brassavola with Cattleya and Laelia.
• Miltonia and Brassia with Oncidium, etc..
For uniformity in the way of writing the first letter of first word (genus name) on the orchid species using capital letters and words both (speciesnya name) using all lowercase. Orchid species on all the words in italics (italic).
To orchid hybrids (hybrid), the first letter of first word (genus name or intergenerik) using capital letters and the first letter of the word they also use a capital letter. Orchid hybrids for the first word in italics (italic), while the second and so on with the letter straight (normal).
Examples of orchid species name:
• Coelogyne pandurata (local name: black orchid).
• crumenatum Dendrobium (orchid pigeons).
• Dendrobium secundum (brush orchid).
• Grammatophylum speciosa (orchids, sugar cane).
• Phalaenopsis amabilis (orchid months).
• Paphiopedilum javanicum.
Examples of hybrid orchid's name:
• Brassavola Little Stars.
• Dendrobium Blue Sky.
• BLC. Alma Kee (Brassolaeliocattleya: Brassavola, Laelia and Cattleya).
• EPC. Middleburg (Epicattleya: Epidendrum and Cattleya).
ORCHID SPECIES
Based on the general growth of orchids are divided into 2 types:
• Orchid Simpodial:
Usually horizontal growth pattern like vines. Stem called rhizome growth. Rhizome lying horizontally on the soil surface and roots grow in length about the direction of decreasing rhizome and create a vertical bar above the so-called pseudo bulbs (Pseudobulb). There was a Pseudobulb extending upwards like stem (cane), and some are short and round or flat.
One of the functions of Pseudobulb is a place where water and nutrients. Creased Pseudobulb is a sign that the plant has experienced problems in the absorption of water.
Each Pseudobulb have one to several leaves.
New shoots emerge from the basic old Pseudobulb and the growing point is called "eye" (eye).
In Pseudobulb kind of short and round, there are wrapped by the stem of the leaf (sheath) which of these Pseudobulb base rates would appear, for example: Coelogyne, Oncidium.
In rod-shaped Pseudobulb (cane), the flower stalks will emerge from the tip of the stem, for example: dendrobium.
• Orchid Monopodial:
Orchids that grow upwards from a single stem (stem). The leaves will grow on the tip of the rod in his life. This type of rhizome and has no Pseudobulb, and usually grow roots air (aerial root) from along the stems.
Flower stalks (spikes / inflorescence) grown from the trunk and starts from the bottom (not the tip), different from the sympodial (dendrobium) where the flowers grow from the end of the rod.
If the tip of the stem damaged by decay (example: type phalaenopsis), or cut / distek (example: Vanda species), the new stems will emerge from the old stems and leaves will grow from the new bar.
Based on the growth, orchids are divided into several types:
• epiphyte:
Growing Angrek ride on other plants but not parasitic (does not take nutrients from the plant). Thus the orchid will gain a better position to get a better light. Roots attached to the branches and get water only from rain and fog.
• Lithophyte:
Orchids that grow on rocks. They use stones as a grip.
• Saprophyte:
Orchid that grows in humus and dead leaves.
• Terrestrial:
Orchids that grow on the prairie, the soil humus in the forest.
Based on air temperature range is appropriate, orchids are divided into 3 types:
• Orchid cold temperatures (mountains, altitude 2000-4000m): grows well at a temperature of 15-21 ° C during the day and 10-13 ° C at night.
Example: Cymbidium, Masdevallia, Miltonia, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum
• Orchid temperature was (plateau, 750-2000m): grows well at a temperature of 21-32 ° C during the day and 13-18 ° C at night.
Example: Brassavola, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Laelia, Paphiopedilum (molted leaves)
• Orchid heat (lowland, 0-750m): grows well at a temperature of 26-35 ° C during the day and 18-24 ° C at night.
Example: Phalaenopsis, Vanda, Dendrobium some kind.
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