Learning to grow your own orchids may provide much more satisfaction than simply purchasing one already in bloom.
Stamford, CT (PRWeb) February 9, 2007 -- With Valentine's Day around the corner there is bound to be a surge in the demand for beautiful orchids as consumers look to impress their special someone.
To that end the approach most people are taking is: where can someone buy the most beautiful looking orchids for their sweetheart? Now here's a thought: a more fulfilling and rewarding experience for the recipient would be the experience of growing the orchid themselves.
It is true that there is a time and place for everything including buying one's favorite orchid species and thankfully the internet has made it easy to find the sources. In fact there are even orchid auctions held in some local areas. There is an abundance of resources for finding and buying one's favorite species.
In the midst of all of this however there is a group of people out there who are changing this pattern…by getting their hands dirty and growing there own orchids.
In the past the thought of growing one's own orchids seemed daunting if not impossible. People approached them with reverence and awe, considering their culture to be hazardous, their expense tremendous and frankly speaking, the orchid was considered as temperamental as prima donnas.
But fortunately with resources online like Orchids R' Growing.com, people are beginning to realize that orchids are actually amongst the easiest of plants to grow. In a recent interview with icSouthLondon Peta Marshall, the plant centre manager at Priory Farm in Nutfield, UK demonstrated with a few rules of orchid culture that even your kids can grow orchids.
There is also a growing interest in orchids on the whole which is in turn fueling the desire to grow them. Laura Schmid, the spokeswoman for the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus Ohio recently commented in a January 2007 interview with The Columbus Dispatch: "We've seen more of an interest in orchids," she said. "They're sort of a hot fashion and style thing to have around your home. There's enthusiasm to learn more about orchids."
One look at the guidelines of some species would inspire the average enthusiast to get busy growing.
Take for instance the Cymbidium orchid. No other orchid has been grown so easily or so successfully away from the customary protection of greenhouses and this may be one of the reasons why it is so popular in sub-tropical areas.
For those of who can't wait to begin growing and eventually enjoy the pleasures of stunning orchids for the home or garden, here are some tips for the Cymbidium to get started with.
Where: Cymbidiums can grow equally as well in a nice southerly window of some home, a hotbed, or a greenhouse.
Lighting: Make sure the cymbidium gets at least 50% of the available sunlight in the summer and possibly more in the winter. They love it!
Temperature: They bloom at a temperature of not less than 32° for the balance of the winter. There is an exception: Cymbidiums won't flower outdoors in some parts of Florida--the night air is too warm.
Soil: Cymbidiums have been grown in a multitude of soil mixtures, however they have a definite preference for leafmold. The best formula seems to be one using equal parts of leafmold and leafsoil, which is often called "mountain soil," and enough gravel or decomposed granite to keep the compost from later becoming packed.
Main reason for growth problems: Too little sunlight and poor drainage. The more that garden, flower and in particular orchid lovers realize the straightforward process of growing their own orchids, not just cymbidiums, the more they will be brave enough to give it a go. That is the main thrust of online sources such as Orchids R' Growing.com; to give customers the know-how that increases their confidence thereby leading to fulfilling orchid care and growing year round.
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