Now that you are acquainted with the habitat and growing habits of orchids, you are ready to grow them here.
Requirements to grow epiphytic orchids a) You will need a 5-6″ plastic/ terracotta pot with holes underneath and on the sides for good air ventilation. You can also use hanging baskets/bamboo logs to grow orchids.
(b) Potting medium – you can use coco chips/pine chips which can be ordered online or chopped coconut husk. Do soak these overnight before use. (c) Charcoal – to be added to potting mixture to help orchids stay dry and clean as it absorbs all the excess water and fertilizers. (d) Brick / broken pot pieces for seepage (e) NPK / organic fertilizer (f) A pair of chopsticks/stake and a clip for supporting the orchid (g) Fountain/ mister to maintain humidity in summers (h) A 1 litre spray bottle for hydration and misting in summer and fertilisation.
Potting your orchid: Mix 2 parts coco chips with 1 part charcoal and brick pieces mixed. Do not close the drainage holes. Fill the pot / basket up to 1/4 with the potting mix. Stick in the orchid.
Fill up rest of the potting mix. Support it with a chopstick. Done!
Taking care of your orchid: Place your orchid in a spot where it gets warmth and indirect sunlight, under the shade of a tree or green net. In the scorching heat of Delhi summers, water everyday and also do mist in the evenings. Give them rest in winter, when they go dormant to prepare for blooming in spring, by reducing watering to twice a week. Fertilise “weakly weekly” – a weak dose of fertiliser ( a pinch of fertiliser to a litre of water) every week when new growth starts in February-March. That Is It!! Grow Dendro-biums, Cattleyas, Vandas, and Phalaenopsis, give them love and humidity and see them thrive.
by Abha Batra (9811417012)
