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Monday, September 27, 2010

Why Not Grow Your Own Wedding Orchids?

Weddings can be a very expensive exercise both for the parents and for the bride and groom.
 

Close your eyes for a moment and think back to a wedding you've been to and now think about all the places you could have possibly seen flowers there... the bride and bridesmaids' bouquets, grooms and groomsmens' lapel buttons, at the ends of the seating aisles and at the ceremony,  centerpieces and side decorations at the reception...the possibilities go on and on. That's a mighty lot of flowers!
 
What if you could grow these wedding orchids yourself? Just imagine the cost saving not to mention the immense satisfaction of your own, lovingly grown orchids as part of this special day. Or perhaps this could be your loving gift to the bride and groom.
 

The flowers that are chosen for a wedding send a message. Orchids stand for beauty; a meaning that every bride and groom want their wedding to stand for. Beauty goes beyond looks; it can further accentuate the beauty of one's life, one's relationship and the tradition of the ceremony itself.

With so many beautiful things about a wedding, orchids are a lovely choice for a flower. Combine this with the timeless, priceless gift of having grown them yourself, your orchids will play a memorable part in this very special day.
 
John M. Barry

"The Orchid Guy"

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Orchid Types - Terrestrial and Epiphytes

Although there are many, many different species and hybrids of orchids, there are actually only two different types of orchids.  The first is the terrestrial orchid which includes the species of orchids that grow in the ground.  The second is the epiphytes orchid which includes orchid species that grow on trees, rocks or on poles. 

Some terrestrial orchids are semi-terrestrial meaning that they have both underground and aerial roots.  A good example of this is the Cymbidium orchid. Cymbidiums do not grow in soils in nature but rather with their roots exposed or in decaying timber and leaf litter.  The loose humus of rotted wood or decayed leaves provides a favorable medium for them to grow in.    Cymbidium orchids are very popular because they are easy to grow making them a great choice for beginners.  With the proper care, they will provide beautiful flowers every year.

Dendrobiums are the most well known epiphytes orchid.  Although easy to grow, they require slightly more care than Cymbidiums and do not flower as easily on a regular basis. Phalaenopsis is another popular epiphyte type of orchid.  These orchids are easy to grow and have long-lasting flowers.  They are often used for weddings and can be found in various colors including pinks, yellows, and even stripes

Epiphytic orchids naturally grow upon structures like trees.  Amazingly, although they grow upon the tree, they don't receive their nourishment from the tree making themselves at home  by establishing their fleshy roots on the branches or bark of the tree.  Over time, organic matter accumulates between the roots and branches which gives the plant its nutrients. The tough, stringy core of the root is surrounded by a spongy off-white covering that can absorb water easily and sustain the plant through wet and dry periods.  When it rains, this off-white cover soaks up water turning light green when saturated.  The orchid’s roots retain the moisture and then release it gradually to the plant tissues as needed.  As they are suspended from trees or rocks in their natural habitat, the epiphytes type of orchids thrive in filtered light and open, airy situations.
 

Happy Orchid Growing!
 

John M. Barry
The Orchid Guy

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Phalaenopsis Orchids And Crown Rot

Welcome Orchid Lovers,
 

I have found Phalaenopsis orchids one of the easiest to grow and a good starting place for beginners to this hobby. It's a species that easily adapts to the home and office environment.  It's also a beauty because it blooms for a generous period giving you lots of time to admire your success and show it off to your mates!

Phalaenopsis Orchid
However, Phalaenopsis orchids are particularly prone to crown rot:

Phalaenopsis with Crown Rot

The 1st step is to isolate your infected plant from others as this is a fungal disease and spreads easily.
 
The next step is to treat your infected orchid plant with a fungicide solution. Be careful to follow the directions on the pack accurately.
 
An easy way to help prevent crown rot is to make sure that you never water into the center of the plant. Instead, water the potting bark near the rim of the pot and water in the morning so the crown area of the orchid will dry out during the day.
 
Once you know the tips and tricks, growing orchids is easy!

John M. Barry
"The Orchid Guy"


For more great information on orchids and to receive your FREE mini-course on caring for orchids, visit www.AllAboutGrowingOrchids.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Let Me Introduce You To "The Orchid Guy"

Amongst my friends I'm known as "The Orchid Guy".

Yes...you guessed it, I am an Orchid Nut!

I've gained a lot of knowledge and tips and tricks over the years that make Growing Orchids a really easy and fun hobby.
 

I want to share what I've learned with others because I think that there are a lot of myths surrounding caring for orchids.  There's also a lot of incorrect information out there in cyberspace that will only frustrate those who try to follow it!

My mission (and, yes, I have chosen to accept it!) is to break through the myths and jargon and bring you easy-to-follow guides, tips and hints that will ensure that those who follow them will have brilliant success at growing spectacularly healthy orchids.
 

Til' next time when I'll be giving you some info on Phalaenopsis orchids and crown rot, 


John M. Barry 
"The Orchid Guy"

For more great information on orchids and to receive your FREE mini-course on caring for orchids, visit www.AllAboutGrowingOrchids.com