Archive for category Care Plant
Orchid Plant Care
Posted by in Care Plant, Orchid Plant on July 4, 2011
Lighting
It is important to provide the proper light conditions to grow your plants to their optimal potential. Orchids can be grown on bright windowsills or under artificial lights. Of course, if you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse or a sunroom, plants can be grown with even greater results.
The best exposures for growing orchids are east, south and west. They should be grown in full sun light a sheer curtain or window screen is important to diffuse the sun’s rays. Note how many hours of sun each window receives as trees and overhangs will cut down on the amount of sun.
Orchids that have dark green foliage, but do not flower, are usually not getting enough sun. Leaves should actually be a yellow-green color, not dark green. Each new growth produced should be as large as or larger than the previous one. Strong pseudobulbs will produce beautiful flowers and will ensure you that your plants are receiving the proper light.
Orchids thrive outside in the summer. In our area this is from mid May until October. Please be careful when moving your plants outdoors as they will need some protection from the full sun. A shade cloth area or the filtered light provided by a birch or willow tree will prevent them from getting burned by the summer sun. If your orchid has not been receiving the proper amount of sun light, you will need to increase their exposure gradually over the course of a few weeks to prevent burning. Remember, just because a plant gets sunburn, it does not always mean it is the wrong exposure for the orchid, only that it was given too much sun too quickly.
This guide shows what plants will grow well in which exposure; however, plants that require less sun light can be grown in the same window when shaded by more light loving plants.
East Window: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium
South Window: Cattleyas, Vandas, Oncidium, Dendrobium and Cymbidiums
West Window: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Dendrobium and high light Paphiopedilum
North Window: Jewel Orchids and other low light species
Orchids For Under Lights: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Masdevallia, Pleurothallids, Compact and Miniature Cattleyas
Artificial Lighting
If you do not have a window that provides sufficient natural sunlight, consider supplementing with grow lights or completely going to artificial lighting. One advantage of growing under lights is that you are able to grow in any room in your house. Complete light carts are available and come equipped with lighting and humidity trays.
To receive the proper intensity, orchids will need to be within 3-6 inches of regular florescent lights. When using high intensity lights carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the proper distance from your plants to prevent burning the foliage. Most lights will also produce a certain amount of heat so be sure to have good ventilation and air movement. Read the rest of this entry »
Bonsai Plant Care: What You Need to Know
Posted by in Bonsai Plant, Care Plant on July 4, 2011
Bonsai plant care can often be tricky. Many gardeners who are used to growing more conventional types of plants frequently find difficulty adjusting to their needs. Bonsai plants, after all, are not ordinary plants. As such, they require extraordinary care.
Be that as it may, Bonsais can be a wonderfully rewarding hobby as well as provide you with plants that add a unique look. If you have a bit of a creative streak but no suitable outlet, Bonsais can be a great way to get creative while also nurturing and caring for a living thing.
Caring for your bonsai plant is not that difficult, but they do have some special needs and can be sensitive. Here’s some basics of bonsai plant care:
Be aware of the type of bonsai you have. Not all bonsai trees are created equal, and they are seldom alike. Some varieties of bonsai are well-suited to being grown indoors; most varieties develop better outside the house. Quite obviously, indoor bonsai have different requirements than do outdoor types, and vice versa. For instance, outdoor bonsai should not be kept indoors for any long period of time. A good rule of thumb is to keep it inside the house for three days a month at the maximum. Otherwise, the changed temperature and environment will start to damage the plant.
Learn to water properly. Since bonsai plants are generally small, it follows that they have a limited root system. Bonsai root systems are generally inadequate by themselves; it requires human care to help the plant survive. Proper watering is an important part of raising bonsai. Again, it will help to know the type of plant you have. Some species of bonsai need to be watered almost constantly; others can get by with minimum moisture. If you water too frequently, you run the risk of promoting fungal growth. On the other hand, dryness and humidity can quickly kill a plant if not monitored. To water your bonsai effectively, you will need to understand the many particularities of your plant.
Repot with care. Repotting bonsai whenever you feel like it is not a good idea. Most bonsai plants do not hold up well under stressful situations – repotting included. Bonsai plants are usually root-pruned and repotted once a year, often during springtime. Some species can stay in the same pot for two years and you should watch your plant carefully to see if it needs repotting. Read the rest of this entry »