Those of you who are thinking of planting orchids should visit the Planting orchid guidebook for the best season for orchids. This guidebook was written by an experienced orchid grower who wanted to share his knowledge with others who are planting orchids for the first time. Many people buy orchids for the beauty of their flower, and some buy orchids because of the exotic flowers. Others just plant them because they are really fun to grow and are relatively easy to care for.
Anyone can tell you that the best season for orchids is from late summer through early fall. One of my favorite plants is the Giant Orchid, or Cymbidium officinale, which blooms for part of the year and then goes dormant for the other half. So many of my best blooming orchids were planted in the late summer or early fall and bloomed beautifully all winter long. They are also very sensitive to the dryness and humidity of the greenhouse.
Because orchids are drought friendly, they are great plants to use in a humid area, such as an indoor gardening environment. The good news is that there are now new varieties that are even more drought friendly than their predecessors. In fact, the most drought tolerant orchids are those that are potted, rather than growing in the garden. I have one orchid plant that are two and a half feet tall, barely a foot across, and blooms just a few inches long each year. It was purchased for $25 at a nursery near my home.
Most orchids will do well in a variety of conditions, but some will need extra care if you want them to bloom well. Most orchids do well in bright, well lit areas. The foliage should be kept clean and trimmed regularly. Also, you should try to place your orchid plants at least 6 inches from tall walls, especially towards the back. This will help them get the light they need to bloom.
Another consideration is your potting medium. If you are growing your orchid in a pot, the best season for orchids is spring. The earth in the pot will heat up, and the roots will absorb the warmth. In addition, you should put a small amount of fertilizer with your potting mix to help the roots grow stronger. Orchids do not like being over-farmed; they will normally do better if you do not over-fertilize.
The best season for orchids to be planted is summer. This is when their roots are able to heat up. However, some orchids require more intense heat, so be sure that you find out what their requirements are before planting. If you cannot find the information you need, ask an orchid expert or read up on your particular species.
Be careful not to over-water your orchid plants. Orchids have small roots, and so when you over-water them, the roots can die. Instead, water them just slightly less than you normally do.
Finally, the best season for orchids depends on the kind of orchid you have. If you have one of the slowest growing orchid varieties, you should give them a longer time span. Whereas, if you have a fast-growing orchid variety, you should choose a location that is shady most of the time. Some of the orchid species such as Paphiopedilum acutifida and Paphiopedilum xanthopyetes love the shade, so if you live in an area with a lot of shade, you could consider growing these plants. The best time to get orchids is in the spring.
Most of the orchids in your garden are accustomed to the humidity and warmth that come from the sun. You may have to put some extra effort to ensure that they have the best season. One way to make sure that they are happy is to provide them with a place that is shaded. This could be in the form of windows that are tinted or shades that are spread across the house.
Do not expect your orchids to bloom all year long, in spite of the best efforts. There will come a time when Mother Nature will decide that it is time to shut down her orchid slings. In order to ensure that your orchids are always blooming, you may need to clip the orchid stems at this time. The best time for this is just before the winter. This will allow the orchid to go into hibernation, allowing it to withstand the cold winter weather.
There are many different theories on when the best season for orchids actually is. Some people believe that the flowers bloom at their prime in April or May. Others believe that they bloom as late as July. It is just a matter of how lucky you are to be an orchid owner.