Odontoglossum Orchids - 5 Easy Ways to Create the Ideal Environment for Your Odontoglossums
Odontoglossum orchids are loved for their intricately designed flowers. They bloom with colors varying from white, yellow, red and purple, with some having colors and patterns that resemble a tiger. They thrive in cooler places of the world and are the ideal house plants. They can grow plenty flowers at a time. The flowers can last up to six weeks or more if cared for correctly.
Like any other type of orchids, these plants require the basics - light, water, humidity and the correct temperature to flourish. But, it has specific requirements that other species do not have. In order to successfully grow them and create the perfect environment where they can flourish, here are some tips to follow:
1. Light.
Odontoglossums flourish ideally under low filtered light. But this doesn't mean they require shade year-round. Put them where light can reach them but not too much. Other sources of light are their best friend because they can be controlled, unlike the sun.
Greenhouses and similar structures are also great places for this species of orchids since light can be controlled to a certain degree. Never bring them out in direct sunlight, or their foliage will burn.
Check the leaves to know if the proper lighting is being given. Yellowish leaves mean they need more light and dark green foliage means they require less. Yellow-green colored foliage is the ideal sign of correct lighting.
2. Water and Humidity.
Like most other plants, odontoglossum orchids must be watered once or twice a week depending on the weather. If the temperature is warmer give them more water, and less when the weather is colder. The only thing you have to watch out for is when they are growing new bulbs. When a new shoot is beginning to grow provide it with more moisture, and return to the usual weekly rule once it has grown completely.
The humidity levels must be somewhere between 50% and 70% and not any lower than 40%, or they will be dehydrated. To aid your orchids' moisture needs, you can mist them during mornings or make a semi-humidifier. Put a tray with small stones and water in the base of your pot and you are good to go.
3. Temperature.
Odontoglossums are the type of orchid that prefers a cooler temperature for them to flourish. This is so because in the wild they flourish in the high mountains of the Andes and the cool forests of Central South America. During the day the ideal temperature would be 80°F and 60°F at night.
These plants can take hotter and cooler temperatures but not for a long period of time. If left under these conditions, the flowers may not fully bloom or may not bloom at all. The blooms regularly last for 6 weeks or more, depending if the correct orchid care is given. Never forget to provide enough air circulation for they like fresh air, similarly found in their natural habitats.
4. Fertilizer.
Give odontoglossums fertilizer at least once every month. Decrease the frequency every so often. A high nitrogen mixture of this proportion is best, 20:10:10. Remember to water first before you fertilize them. Then at least once every month rinse off the pot to remove salt residues. Do not over-fertilize them because this might burn the roots and the new shoots.
5. Potting and Repotting.
This species of plants are typically classified as epiphytes. So the most suitable potting medium for them is osmunda. Some advocate using the medium fine fir bark.
Use smaller-sized containers since they grow best in them. Its root system prefers to be confined. Add your medium 1/3 from the base of the container, and then add your orchid. Spread the roots and fill it tightly with the remaining medium. Odontoglossum orchids need to be repotted at least once every year. Take away the old potting mixture and remove any dead roots. You can be sure the plant is able to be repotted by checking if a new shoot has grown roots, or if it has sprouted one to three inches in height.
Division must be done by potting three to five mature bulbs. Be sure to keep the medium moist until new roots have grown, and then go back to regular watering.
Learning how to handle these situations specifically for odontoglossums will enable you to grow the healthiest plants possible. Enjoy your orchids!
About the Author
To learn even more odontoglossum orchid care tips, download my totally FREE "5 Biggest Orchid Care Mistakes" report by going here: http://www.orchidcarezone.com/growing-orchids-top-questions.
Mary Ann Berdak is the publisher of http://www.OrchidCareZone.com/ - a top online destination for orchid care tips and advice.
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