Chemicals?
In my recent post about getting ready for winter and in a reply I mentioned several chemicals. Many of you avid gardeners garden organically. Orchids are so different from other types of plants that sometimes chemicals are necessary. To keep from having to use harsh and hazardous chemicals on your orchids I recommend the following:
1. Buy healthy plants! If an orchid is on a sale table it already has problems and you are exposing your other orchids.
2. Quarantine any newly acquired orchids for a month and observe them for problems before introducing the orchid into your collection.
3. Sterilize your pots before repotting. Soak clay pots in a household bleach solution for 24 hours, rinse well, then allow to dry in the sun for a couple of days. Not necessary for new pots! Plastic pots are so cheap just buy new ones. Sterilizing used ones in bleach causes the plastic to break down more quickly. Not worth the effort in my opinion.
4. Use the appropriate potting mix for your specific orchid. Consider inorganic mixes like lava rock or Aliflor when appropriate.
5. DO NOT OVERWATER!!! This causes the most problems of all!
6. Make sure there is air circulation in your growing area.
7. When removing dead leaves, spent bloom spikes, etc. use sterilized cutting implements. Never cut one orchid then another without sterilizing between cuts. I often use single edged razor blades for cutting.
8. Do not water or mist late in the day.Standing water on plants especially in cool, damp conditions can cause problems.
9. Keep your growing area spotlessly clean.
10. Inspect your orchids every time you water. Minor problems remain minor!
I do recommend that you use Physan-20 anytime you divide and repot an orchid.
Any other suggestions for growing orchids without chemicals are welcome!
1. Buy healthy plants! If an orchid is on a sale table it already has problems and you are exposing your other orchids.
2. Quarantine any newly acquired orchids for a month and observe them for problems before introducing the orchid into your collection.
3. Sterilize your pots before repotting. Soak clay pots in a household bleach solution for 24 hours, rinse well, then allow to dry in the sun for a couple of days. Not necessary for new pots! Plastic pots are so cheap just buy new ones. Sterilizing used ones in bleach causes the plastic to break down more quickly. Not worth the effort in my opinion.
4. Use the appropriate potting mix for your specific orchid. Consider inorganic mixes like lava rock or Aliflor when appropriate.
5. DO NOT OVERWATER!!! This causes the most problems of all!
6. Make sure there is air circulation in your growing area.
7. When removing dead leaves, spent bloom spikes, etc. use sterilized cutting implements. Never cut one orchid then another without sterilizing between cuts. I often use single edged razor blades for cutting.
8. Do not water or mist late in the day.Standing water on plants especially in cool, damp conditions can cause problems.
9. Keep your growing area spotlessly clean.
10. Inspect your orchids every time you water. Minor problems remain minor!
I do recommend that you use Physan-20 anytime you divide and repot an orchid.
Any other suggestions for growing orchids without chemicals are welcome!
