I did a lot of research for this guide as traditionally, I have never watered my orchids with ice cubes, however, I have used ice packs on my outdoor pots in summer to great effect. The thing is, I still don’t know if you should water an orchid with ice cubes and if there is a real benefit. I’ve spent 20 years refining my watering techniques which I talked about here on how and when to water orchids. So this…
So the quick answer to ‘Do orchids need special soil is Yes, orchids need special soil to grow in. The orchids that you find in most garden centres are epiphytes, which means that they grow on tree trunks and other objects in the wild rainforest. Ordinary potting soil is much too dense and heavy for these relatively delicate plants, as most orchids actually grow in the air attached to other plants. These are called Epiphyte orchids which I discussed here….
The short answer to ‘are orchids edible? is Yes, orchid blooms are edible. As well as serving as decorations on delicious meals around the world as shown in the image above, they’re also an integral ingredient to the dishes in many cultures. In addition, many orchids are prepared as herbal medicines and are taken for various ailments, but I’ll leave that one up for debate. The one orchid flavour that you’ve probably heard of is Vanilla. Yes, the vanilla we…
Orchids are not poisonous to cats and dogs If you have pets, it’s right to be concerned if orchids are poisonous to cats and dogs. And here’s a quick answer – the orchid plant is not poisonous to cats and dogs. In fact, the orchid flowers are edible and are used in cooking, health and wellness in many cultures. (See Are orchids edible? for more information.) What you do need to be aware of, though, is the potting mix that…
Orchids are light-hungry plants, they like more light than most other house plants. However, be careful not to give them direct sunlight in the afternoon as it can burn the leaves, but they still need plenty of light. As a general rule, most orchids ideally need around 12-14 hours of sunlight to thrive but can grow well with as little as 6 hours of light minimum, the more sunlight, the better. However, popular phalaenopsis orchids, can tolerate low light conditions…
Getting your watering schedule just right for your orchid plants is essential for their continued good health. I have experimented with different ways to water orchids as well as when is the best time and how to know, so hopefully, I will be able to pass my experience on to you. First things first, overwatering orchids is the number one problem that kills them off. I found this out the hard way, and so many people ask why their orchid…
What are Epiphyte orchids? Most orchids are epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants but are not parasites, this means they live on other plants, usually trees. The important fact is that they take their nutrients in other ways and not from the host plant. In the case of orchids, they often grow on tree trunks and other plants, and even on rocks, in tropical rain forests. This type of plant is often called or referred to as…
Most people keep their poinsettia for just one holiday season and then throw it away by (hopefully) composting it. However, if you decide to keep your plant around and re-bloom it in the next winter season (see How to get poinsettias to turn red again), then you can also propagate poinsettia cuttings in the early summer to create new plants, and mini poinsettias are great for making indoor planter baskets up for Christmas. Here’s how to do that. As poinsettias…
Once your poinsettia has finished blooming for the winter holiday season, don’t throw it away. With some care and attention, you can keep it through the next year so that the poinsettia turns red again the next winter. Best of all, you will be rewarded with an bigger and more impressive poinsettia the following Christmas. Here are the things you have to do to it in the different seasons, including keeping it moist, pruning it and transplanting it into the…
Poinsettia leaves curling is usually a reaction to an environmental problem usually related to watering and temperatures. This is good news as these problems are easily solved, and your poinsettia should return to good health. Over-watering If your poinsettia leaves are curling downwards, the most probable cause is over-watering. While these plants like a moist environment, they don’t like being in standing water. If the soil becomes overly damp, the oxygen availability decreases and the roots can’t absorb what water…