Other Types of Orchids: Fertilizer:

Orchid Oncydium Orchid:

Oncydiums produce nu-
Your orchid should be fed plant food
regularly. There are different ways to
Care Sheet merous small flowers that
are clustered on tall stems
feed orchids. We recommend an all
purpose food or a flowering plant
with long slender leaves. food. Choose one of these foods then
The Phalaenopsis Orchid is the most Their flowers last for about either use it twice a month mixed at
common variety grown in the house. 3 to 4 weeks. Fairly easy to half strength, or once a month at
This orchid is an epiphyte which grow just make sure they receive extra regular strength. There are other spe-
grows its roots on tree trunks under humidity. cialty orchid fertilizers available which
the canopy in the rain forest. They col- Cattleya Orchid: are also suitable, just follow the label
lect moisture and nutrients from the Cattleyas have large for feeding.
air. In our homes we place them in flowers that last about 4
pots with or- to 5 weeks. They only Temperature:
chid mix and flower on new growth
enjoy them. which takes about 8 to 10 months to Your orchid likes temperatures around
The most com- develop. Cattleyas require full sunlight 18°C. to 25°C. (65°F. to 85°F.) Gener-
mon colour of and like to be root bound ally if your house temperature is com-
the Phalaenop- Lady Slipper Orchid: fortable for you, then your orchid is
sis Orchid is (Paphiopedilum) happy. It is best to never expose your
white. They Lady Slippers produce 1 plant to temperatures below 10°C.
also come in to 3 blooms that last (50°F.) or above 38°C. (100°F.). Trans-
shades of pur- about 3 to 4 weeks. porting orchids in cold (freezing)
ple, and some- These orchids require special attention, weather is safe when wrapped and
times yellow. especially extra humidity. never left in an unheated vehicle.
Care: Hawaiian & Caribbean Days
Annually during the month of March
Light: Medium to bright light. experience a tropical get-away. Warm up
Water: Let dry slightly then water from the winter cold by walking through
well. Do not let sit in water. our tropical and orchid greenhouses.
Fertilizer: Feed once a month with
all purpose fertilizer or a flowering
plant fertilizer.
See inside for more care instructions.

Belgian Nursery Ltd. Phone: 519-648-2608

A Flower World of Beautiful 2615 Victoria St. N.
Fax: 519-648-3536
Plants for People Breslau, Ontario
Light: Flowering & Re-blooming: Repotting:
Medium to bright light plant. The ideal Each time a Phalaenopsis orchid flow- Generally the Phalaenopsis orchid re-
location is morning sun (East Window) ers it sends up a new flower spike. quires repotting every 2 to 3 years. At
or late afternoon sun (West Window). When the flowers are finished, cut the this time you may need to simply
A South window is okay except in the old flower spike back to just under replace the orchid mix or repot into a
summer when there is too much direct where the first (oldest) flower opened. larger pot. Make sure not to use pot-
sunlight. Never Sometimes this spike may send a bonus ting soil. There are different types of
expose your plant side spike from lower on the stem. potting mediums for orchids –which
to direct sunlight, These side spikes will grow out of the type you choose is personal prefer-
since this may nodes on the flower stem. The nodes ence. When you repot your orchid
cause burns and look like little leaves over the stem. trim off any decayed roots. You can
harm your plant. Think of these as bonus flowers be- place some of the air roots in the pot
cause some plants will send one or two or keep them out as they were.
Watering:
up and some will not. To cut the rest
The timing between watering depends of the spike back just wait for it to turn Plant Problems:
on how much light and humidity your yellow or brown and cut it back in Poor watering
orchid receives as well as the time of stages as it dies. practices are the
the year. Orchids like to dry slightly,
then be watered well. Drain any ex- Orchids usually flower once a year, but #1 killer of most
cess water away. If you leave your tend to take a break to rest once in a orchids. Root rot is
plant sitting in water you may cause while. Usually around January or Feb- caused from wa-
the roots to rot. Orchids prefer humid- ruary Phalaenopsis send their new tering too often or being left to sit in
ity and misting the leaves on a daily flower spike out, during the shortest excess water. The roots will start to rot
basis will help to increase extra humid- length of natural daylight. If your plant slowly, then the leaves will become
ity for your plant -usually morning is refuses to flower, holding off on the fer- droopy and wrinkled to compensate
best. It is important that the leaves be tilizer for two to four feedings in the fall for rotting roots. To try and cure, take
dry by evening to prevent rot. An- plant out of the pot, remove damaged
will sometimes help force your plant
other way to increase humidity is to
into flower. Just remember it still needs roots and replant in new orchid mix.
use a pebble tray. To do this, use a lar-
ger saucer, fill with rocks, pebbles or to be watered. Then change watering habits.
even a smaller upside down saucer. Another trick is Dehydration is caused from not
Set your plant on top and fill with wa- giving a slight enough water or timing between wa-
ter. The water will evaporate and cre- temperature tering is too great. Leaves will droop
ate more humidity. The key with using change over and become wrinkled. To try and cure
a pebble tray is to make sure the water night, making it this water thoroughly draining excess
level is never touching the bottom of slightly cooler.
your pot, since that would create root water away and mist frequently.
rot.