Care of Cattleya

This month we are going to go into some detail about the care of cattleya orchids. These orchids are probably the easiest to care for and like all plants need water, light and fertilizer. Playing some nice music or talking to them doesn't hurt either.
Most of the wild cattleyas grow in rain forests of South America, namely in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Mexico. They flourish in the Andes from altitudes near sea level to high altitudes of 9 - 10,000 feet. These orchids are truly epiphytes or air plants. So, they are used to being partly covered by the canopy of the rain forest and get considerable humidity and bright light to grow. Being in the forest as noted above they are used to diffuse light all be it bright light. They generally do not have direct mid day sunlight. The bright light helps them to develop hard pseudopods. The pseudopods are the orchids main way to hold water which is so important for their growth and life. It is from the pseudopods that the orchid flowers come from.
Being in the forest and at various altitudes there are a wide range of temperatures that these plants are used to. In the winter and higher altitudes these plants become accustom to temps which can go as low as 50 - 55 degrees in the winter and as high as 80-90 degrees in the summer. Humidity is the friend to cattleyas. We can understand this from being in rain forests. Most cattleyas do well with being set on humidity trays. These are metal or plastic trays that are filled with pepples and then half full with water. The plant roots cannot sit in water for a long period of time or else they will get root rot. Allow for good air circulation but not sitting in direct aim of an air vent.Generally, watering twice a week does well during their growth and flowering period and once a week during their period of rest. Cattleyas are orchids that can and should get dry between watering. This aids in the growth of healthy pseudopods. Be sure that the potting medium allow the water to drain out fairly rapidly.
To check to see if a plant needs water stick your finger about 1 inch into the potting material and see if it comes out dry or damp. If dry it needs watering. If damp it may be able to go another day or two without water. When watering allow the water to flow into the plant and then drain right out into the sink and not into the humidity tray. You can let the water water flow onto the plant for about 20-30 seconds and the pseudopods will get enough water for storage.
If plants are blossom in the winter or spring this means that these orchid plants deserve a rest period of about 6 to 8 weeks. During this time water them about once a week and keep the lighting the same.
If the plants blossom in the summer time no rest period is needed. Fertilizing should take place about every other week with a balanced formula like 20-20-20. If the plant is flowering you can fertilize with a blossoming mixture with a higher nitrogen factor, e.g. 30-10-10.
With these rather easy steps you will get many years of joy from your cattleya orchid plants. This article may be used by any website. I do insist that you recognize my website as the contributor. Thank you.http://www.orchids-plus-more.com/orchid-contact.html
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This site http://www.orchids-plus-more.com/ is devoted to these wonderful orchid plants. Did you know they are the second in popularity only to the poinsettia plants? You will find a good deal of information on how easy orchid care really is. They are wonderful to have around your home or for that special gift. Orchid flowers are beautiful and can last for years. Your plant will be appreciated for years and years.

Taking Care of Orchids - A Quick Guide by Mel Beauchamp

Orchids, these beautiful plants come in thousands of different varieties and can grow in just about any climate. Depending on the variety that can be very easy or very difficult to take care of however because there is such a wide variety of orchids, there are plenty to choose from no matter what your care level is. There are a few things that make orchids unique among the plant kingdom when it comes to taking care of them.
Before purchasing an orchid, take the time to research about it and what is required when taking care of orchids in that family. The type of orchid will determine things like how much light it needs, what type of soil it needs or if it just needs moss and even how much to water it and when. When it comes to taking care of orchids it is better to have them too dry than too wet. Orchids will have stunted growth if they are too dry but if they are too wet from over-watering, they are more likely to rot.
For example, orchids from the Laelias family are going to need more water once they have completed growing and before they bloom. However, after they bloom they will require less water than previous. Orchids from the Vandas family do not have pseudo bulbs so they must have continual water though they can take water from the air. Oncidiums also require more watering during growth times then when flowering. Signs of over watering include shriveling. This is why many people just starting out with orchids experience difficulties. Shriveling in most plants is considered to be a sign of the plant lacking water so often times the plant is over-watered even further.
Orchids do well in pots that have excellent drainage and because many species originated in the rain forests and other tropical climates where small daily showers occur during warmer seasons consider lightly misting once to several times a day. Once you have found the watering necessary for your particular orchid type it is important to decide what type of sunlight you are going to be providing it. There are two types soft and hard; soft is where enough light for the plant is provided and only that, leaving the plant with the darker green leaves. Hard describes a process of flooding the plant with light. While this does turn the leaves yellow and mar the appearance of the plant, it is said that it can actually increase flowers.
Most of the time when you purchase an orchid it is already going to be in an appropriate growing medium and pot however, there are times when you will need to repot or change the growing medium. This must be done with care as orchids are sensitive and tend to react negatively to these procedures if they are done incorrectly. To repot, carefully remove the plant from the medium, use tweezers to remove growth from the plant or remove pests, there are several who tend to remain near the root. Then repot into medium that is either the same as the one you are removing the plant from or repot into medium that closely resembles its native growing materials.
These steps are just the basics when it comes to taking care of orchids. These plants are beautiful, varied and have their own unique conditions which must be met when growing them. It is important to research into the type of orchid you want to ensure that you are providing it with the best possible care.
About the Author
Mel Beauchamp is an orchid enthusiast.

Feel the Joy of Growing Orchids!

You have eventually discovered them? Orchids, that is! They possess simply gorgeous flowers . . they have a delicate, delightful scent . and there is sort of a joy in having the ability to view them in the morning from your window whilst you sip your first cup of coffee. Now, you're considering growing them yourself. Good choice. One of the very first discoveries you'll make is how easy they are to grow, when you learn a little about these very special gifts from Mother Nature. And that is what we're here for! Look around. You can find everything you need find everything you must know about growing orchids. And if you've got any questions that we haven't answered, then please by all means ask us. We'll be happy to answer them for you. You can be in good company. Since most the dawning of time, humankind has been captivated with this flower - with the numerous different species and the amazing array of colors and styles of blooms. These flowers decorate any garden! Orchids are the first survivors. They grow in some of the most surprising places. In addition to the rainforest, they also grow in the cold permafrost landscape of the tundra, and even underground. No wonder we've been fascinated with them for so long. But that isn't the sole interesting facet of the orchid. Seeds of the orchid really pop from the plant and then scatter as the wind blows. But, before that occurs the plant creates what's known as a symbiotic relationship with a specific fungus. The fungus then gathers water and minerals for not only itself, apart from the seeds of the orchids too. In return the seedlings share the sugars created thru the process of photosynthesis with the fungus. If you're just beginning your love affair with the orchid, you'll be pleased to know you can enjoy these undying beauties indoors on your windowsill, outside in your garden and in the protection of your greenhouse. Why choose? Grow them in all 3 places! A few of these astonishing plants have broad pleated leaves with flowers that are wax- like and long lasting, for example the Lycaste. This orchid is named after the Greek sprite of the same name and it is asserted the flower itself is dedicated to the pretty child of Priam, the last king of Troy. Then there's the orchid called the Masdevallia probably you have seen these. Named after a surgeon in the court of Charles II of Spain, Jose Masdeval, this particular orchid has been decorating gardens for centuries. The delicate-looking flowers have common tails ; the petals are tiny with sepals, the outermost portion of the flower. I'm still excited when I grow three various kinds of orchids and find that each plant holds a completely distinct, individual, and massively different sort of bloom on each one. Not only in color, but in shape, in size, and even smell [ I grow one called Oncidium Sharry Baby that smells like chocolate. Really! And get this - it isn't difficult to grow in the house as a potted plant. ] Hey, where are you going? Out to find that orchid! Now you know where to come for all of your orchid desires. There's certainly enough here to feed your interest in what just could be the planet's most diverse flower.
About the Author
Angel Gilmore writes regularly about home related topics. I hope you enjoy this article.