Cultivation of Orchids

Horticultural classification

Phalaenopsis type – Petals are broad and overlap on each other

Cane type – Petals are thin and sometimes twisted

Intermediate type – intermediate in size and shape between Phalaenopsis and cane type

Ascocenda (Ascocentrum x Vanda)

Monopodial Orchids – no pseudobulbs, no rhizome grow from the single vegetative apex. vanda

Sympodial – pseudobulbs, rhizomes, number of vegetative apices (Dendrobium)

Temperature – Warm- growing orchids – Dendrobium – 65-80 F, Cool-growing orchids – Cymbidium – 55-70 F
Elevation – 0-1500 ft above sea level
Temperature – 28-35⁰C
Relative Humidity: 75-85%

Media – Good ventilation is critical therefore plotting media is contains Charcoal,styrofoam dip in the cement,fir barks, coconut husk, fern fibres, Potts should have drainage holes as well as holes or opening on the sides to encourage air circulation
Pots – Different types of pots mud pots, clay pots, plastic or cement, should contains drainage holes and side holes to air circulation
Watering – once a day keep the surroundings constantly wet to maintain the high level of humidity. Clean water free of chlorine
Relative humidity – 40-80%
Fertilizer – apply frequently with low fertilizer does (Small plants – N:P:K 30:20:20, Medium size and generally – N:P:K 20:20:20, Flowering Size – N:P:K 20:20:30). ¼- ½ teaspoon of fertilizer is dissolved in 01 gallon of water and sprayed twice a week
Soil – Loam soil, compost, cattle manure, sand (4:2:1:1/2)
Propagation – sexual – via seeds, asexual – bulbs and aerial shoots Top cutting

spike should be free from the pest and diseases.

Climate – temperature – 20-32⁰C, Light – 50%-80%, RH – 50%-80%
Media – loam soil : compost : cattle manure : sand – 1:1:1:1
Bed – raised bed 8-9 inches, spacing 30cm*30cm for mother bushes, spacing of the cutting is 7.5.cm 10.cm
Watering – once a day, frequency increased in hot days, chlorine free water.

The flowers should be cut in the morning
spikes are transferred to buckets containing clean water that is 10cm deep
Grading is mainly based on the length of the spike , the number of opened flowers and buds
After the grading, flowers are packed
To keep flowers from dehydrating wad of moist cotton is placed on the base of each spray

The main cause for fading of flowers is the release of the gas ethylene dioxide this may triggered the removal of pollens.

Bacteria spread in water. Favoured by warm, moist conditions Avoid overhead watering, wounding plants Disinfection knife between cuts.