Orchids are so gorgeous that they are one of the most loved flowers. You may try to grow them. However, many people think that it is hard to grow an orchid in Japan as it is a tropical flower. On order to grow orchids, it is important to learn their natural habitat.

Orchidaceae are family with approximately 25,000 species in 1,000 genera. An orchid is considered monocot. Orchids have diversified and it helped them into many species.

Most orchids sold at a gardening shop came from tropical or subtropical areas. Many types of orchids don’t like cold weather. However, temperature for your orchids may vary depending on their natural habitat. If you are a beginner, you should choose a stronger species.

So let’s learn characteristics of orchids and try to grow them. Here are7 steps on how to grow orchids for beginners.

How to grow orchids for beginners – 7 steps

Let’s learn characteristics of orchids

There are 25,000 varieties of orchids in the world and they grow in a variety of habitat. Therefore, you should know about a suitable environment for your orchids.

For example, Cattleya, Queen of the orchids, requires plenty of sun as they grow on trunks of trees and don’t like soggy soils. And, Cymbidium, the most popular orchid in Japan, is a hybrid of a Himalayan and Japanese orchids. Therefore, it is comparatively stronger in cold weather and needs enough water and fertilizer. It is important to know your orchid’s habitat.

Temperature

You should check your garden’s temperature. The important thing to grow orchids is to keep soil temperature warm over the winter.

Cattleya, Oncidium, and Epidendrum need over 10 ℃, and Cymbidium, Dendrobium, and Paphiopedilum for over 5 ℃. If you choose orchid that is stronger in winter, it can be easier for you to grow.

Light

Different kinds of orchids need different levels of light, depending on their natural habitats. Oncidium and Cattleya, which grown on trunks of trees in forest, prefer bright light.

On the other hand, Paphiopedilum prefers diminished light as it grows in shade in forest. So you should learn which level of light your orchid needs.

Watering

Too much watering leads to root rot. In general, water your orchid when the soil is dry, so you don’t need water it frequently.

You should know perfect amount of water your orchid needs since it depends on types of orchids. Tropical and subtropical areas have rainy and dry seasons. Spring and summer in Japan are the same as rainy season, so orchids need much water. On the other hand, they require less water in autumn and winter in Japan that are same as dry season in their natural habitats.

Fertilizer

Here is a tip to feed your orchids. There are two suitable fertilizer for orchids; solid and liquid. You can use both together. Follow instructions carefully on proper use. It is important to feed them properly in a certain period.

For instance, orchids don’t need to be fed in winter as they stop growing. Therefore, feeding them in late autumn and winter will lead to root rot.

Repotting

Orchids need to be repot depending on how they grow. Generally, wild orchid can grow well in forest. Compared to this, potted orchids don’t have much space for their roots. Repotting may affect their conditions. You should check your orchid’s conditions before that.

Orchids may be weaken if it is repotted in autumn. Also, it is not ideal to repot orchid which doesn’t like hot weather in spring. Most orchids can be repotted when sprouting new buds.

Pests and diseases

It is essential to prevent pests and diseases in your orchids, so try to grow them healthy. Orchid diseases include Anthracnose and soft rot, and pests include slugs, scale insects and spider mites.

There are germicide and pesticides to treat, however, you should cut infected areas off. To avoid spreading viruses, sterilise your cutting tools after using.

Have you got some tips to grow orchids?

Probably many people think they need a greenhouse or it is too difficult to grow. However, it is not so hard if you choose ones for beginners and know some tips.

Dendrobium and Cymbidium can be grown outdoors, and you can bloom Cattleya if you put it in a carton and wrap in a blanket in cold weather. So let’s learn characteristics of each orchid to take care of them. I hope you enjoy growing gorgeous and beautiful orchids.

Summary

How to grow orchids for beginners – 7 steps

– Let’s learn characteristics of orchids
– Temperature
– Light
– Watering
– Fertilizer
– Repotting
– Pests and diseases