The sensitive air roots of orchids can get fertilizer burn or even rot if the water or liquid fertilizer is too “hard”, in other words, containing too many minerals or soluble salts. The easiest way to understand how hard your water is is in terms of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). What is the best TDS …
Fertilizing Orchids, TDS and PPM (All You Should Know) Read More »
Are you looking to expand your orchid collection, but not sure which to choose? We have created this comprehensive guide to nine most common genera in the family of orchids (Orchidaceae), namely Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Vanda, Miltoniopsis, Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, and Bulbophyllum. We will identify their different features, their preferred growing conditions, and 46 species …
46 Common Orchid Types as Houseplants (With Pictures) Read More »
No wonder why many people want to grow aerial roots on their houseplants, orchids, bonsai, and even succulents. Not only do they add a special look to the plant, but they also help absorb moisture and nutrients in the air, and stabilize the plant. So how do you stimulate aerial roots? The natural approach is …
4 Effective Ways to Promote Aerial Roots (Explained) Read More »
It can be confusing – sometimes it’s called “pine bark”, sometimes “fir bark” or even “orchid bark”. Most people use the terms interchangeably, but their differences are quite significant especially when it comes to potting up your orchids, bonsai, and other houseplants. What exactly are the differences? Fir bark is a better growing substrate than …
Bark is commonly used as a growing medium for epiphytic orchids. Should you sterilize it and other growing substrates prior to use or reuse? You should sterilize used bark and moss only when it was previously with an orchid with rot issues, pests, or fungal infection. Otherwise, new bark from the bag should not be …
For orchid lovers, their favorite time of the year is probably when their orchids are blooming. When that happens, many people do not want to disturb their orchids, apart from trying to grow as many flowers as possible and make them bloom longer. Should we fertilize orchids or water them while they are blooming? Can …
Can I Repot, Feed, Water Orchids While Blooming? (Solved!) Read More »
Ever felt confused about finding the best fertilizer for your orchids among the plethora of brands, formulas, and formats in the market? What is the difference between the 20-20-20 NPK ratio and the MSU formula? Which is better: water-soluble granular orchid food, liquid fertilizer, ready-to-spray mist bottles, and slow-release pellets? Based on the nutritional needs …
Top 10 Orchid Fertilizers: A Detailed Review (2023) Read More »
Some people want to apply keiki paste on a rootless keiki to make it grow roots, while others want to use rooting hormone to propagate shrub cuttings. Keiki paste is often confused with rooting hormone. Keiki paste contains the plant hormone cytokinin and is used to stimulate shoot growth on stems or shrub cuttings, while …
Keiki Paste vs Rooting Hormone: What’s the difference? Read More »
We all have experienced the shock of witnessing our healthy-looking orchids die suddenly and rapidly within a matter of days. It starts with a leaf or two turning yellow overnight. A close examination can reveal a darkened area of infection eating into the side of the stem. And the next thing we know is leaf …
Orchid Stem Rot: Causes & Treatment You Should Know Read More »
If you have not repotted your orchid for over two years, chances are your orchid is “root-bound” or “pot-bound”, with a lot of roots packed inside the pot and growing out of the pot through the drainage hole and the ventilation slits on the side. If you grow your orchids in terracotta pots, you may …
Orchid Roots Stuck to Pot? (How to Repot Without Damage) Read More »
