Orchid Culture - The Basics

Orchid Growing Basics

What Is an Orchid, Dr. Carl L. Withner, Canadian Orchid Congress (COC)
Orchids and Beginners, Dr. Carl L. Withner, COC
Growing Orchids in the Home, University of Tennessee
Introduction to Orchid Growing, Martin Motes, Motes Orchids
Beginner's Guide to Orchids, Sue Bottom
Selecting New Plants, Sue Bottom
Bringing Home New Orchids, Sue Bottom
What Orchid to Choose, Mike Heinz
Orchid Plant Parts and Why They Matter, Sue Bottom
Kew Plant Glossary - Illustrated Dictionary of Plant Terms, Beeentje Henk, Kew
Understanding Your Plant Tag, Sue Bottom
Orchid Toolbox, Sue Bottom
Wire Products, Sue Bottom
Secrets of a Great Orchid Grower, Sue Bottom
Evolution of an Orchid Grower, Sue Bottom
Top Ten Signs That Your Orchid is Happy, Sue Bottom
Orchid Triage, Sue Bottom
Ferns, Weeds and Orchids Do Not Mix, Sue Bottom
Organizing Your Growing Area, Sue Bottom

Seasonal Tips

Orchid growers are busy year-round. In spring, our orchids are waking up and we're repotting, watering and fertilizing more. In summer, we let them grow and protect them as much as possible from the tropical storms. In fall, we prepare them for the winter rest. These articles about things to do each season are based on keiki club presentations.

Light

Light, the Key to Successful Blooming, AOS
Principles of Light, Erik Runkle, AOS
Orchids and Light, Bill Gourley, SAOS
Seasonal Changes in Light, Sue Bottom
Importance of Light for Good Orchid Growing, Dr. Carl L. Withner, COC
Leaf Reddening, Sue Bottom
Growing Orchids Under Lights, Ernie Gemeinhart
Indoor Orchid Growing with LED Lights, A'na Sa'tara, AEOrchids.com
Finding the Right Light, A'na Sa'tara, AEOrchids.com

Water, Water Quality and Fertilizer

An entire page is dedicating to answering one of the most commonly asked questions, how do I water my orchid. Links on evaluating your water quality, selecting a fertilizer, whether you should use orchid supplements and more.

Humidity and Air Movement

The Importance of Fresh Air to Orchids, Sue Bottom

Temperature

Cold Tolerance of Orchids, Sue Bottom
Temperature Ranges, AOS
Why Do Orchids Need a Drop in Nighttime Temperatures?, Sue Bottom

Repotting and Potting Mixes

An entire page is dedicating to answering one of the most commonly asked questions, how do I repot my orchid. Links on repotting, potting mixes, selecting a pot for your orchids and more.

Orchid Culture by Genus

An entire page containing links to articles about growing different types of orchids, from Angraecums to Zygopetalums.

Orchid Questions and Answers

A compendium of the questions and answers that have appeared in the newsletter. Email us with any questions you might have and we'll see if we can get you an answer.

Orchid Growth and Flowering

Flowering of Orchids, Roberto Lopez and Eric Runkle, AOS
Environmental Physiology of Growth and Flowering, Lopez & Runkle, MSU
Orchid Growth Processes Sue Bottom
Apical Dominance and Growth Patterns Sue Bottom
Good Orchid Growing, or the Concept of Stress, Dr. Carl L. Withner, COC
Adaptation to Epiphytic Lifestyle, Sue Bottom

Orchid Propagation

Propagating Orchids Vegetatively, Sue Bottom
Sowing Orchid Seeds, Fred Bergman
Pollination Techniques - A Primer, Troy Meyers
Caring for Seedlings Removed from Flasks and A Method of Compotting in Sphagnum, Troy Meyers

Species and Hybrids

Find Orchids by Parentage or Grex Name Searches, RHS
Look Up Species and Hybrids, Orchid Roots
What is an Orchid Species, Sue Bottom
Breeding Improved Species - Selfing and Sib Crosses, Sue Bottom