Orchids are traditionally separated into two major overall families, epiphytal and terrestrial. The epiphytals are the ones that grow on tree trunks and branches. There are several different ways to grow this type of orchid in the house or in a greenhouse. It all starts with potting.
In a state of nature, the epiphytal orchids typically have roots that are much more open to air as contrasted with other plants. As a consquence, by "potting" we do not mean packing them all around with dense potting soil. Rather, we want to place them in a pot with loose, organic matter, from which they can pull necessary nutrients, along with rocks or broken pottery pieces to create open spaces and to help the plants remain upright.
The most usual recipe for potting compost suitable to epiphytals is one part sphagnum moss to one part peat moss. Place a layer of this matter in the bottom of your pot, followed by a layer of rocks or pottery bits, then a second layer of the mix, and so forth. When the pot is approximately a quarter or at most a third full, carefully place your orchid's root system down into it. Then continue adding rocks and mix, packing all of this material only firmly enough to support the plant.
Gradually build up the compost up to and over the top of the pot. The height you need to go above the pot depends on the size of the pot and the depth to which you have placed your plant. The general rule is to allow the plant's crown to rest on top of the compost. By crown, we mean the part of the plant from where the roots start.
If you are repotting an orchid, you should take special care when taking it out of its previous pot. If there are any new roots clinging to the exterior of the pot, you should attempt to ease them off with a blade of some kind. It you have a mass of vital roots -- that is, roots that have sap in them -- attached to the inside of the pot, then you might have to break the pot and pick away all of those roots that you are able to. You might need to then repot it with pieces of the old pot still hanging on the roots, and this is acceptable.
It is usually not a good idea to water the plant for a day or so before or after potting.
This has been a very general introduction to potting epiphytal orchids. The subject can be more complex than this, especially when talking about some of the more delicate or senstive species. People have written entire books on the subject of potting the various different kinds of orchids! Luckily, most of us don't require books devoted entirely to the art of potting to enjoy success with orchids. A recognized, step-by-step guide to all aspects of orchid growing is sufficient.
In our day we have an abudance of excellent, accurate information available for anyone who wishes to cultivate orchids. The most complete guidebook to modern orchid care, many people are finding, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard's ebook is a comprehensive course, useful for beginners and the more seasoned growers alike. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets site, which contains an ever-growing database of articles on a wide range of facets of orchid cultivation.
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