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How To Care For A Dendrobium Phalaenopsis Orchid, One Of The Easiest Orchids To Grow
Next to Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium Phalaenopsis are among the most popular types of orchids grown by the home gardener -- for good reason. With the potential for profuse and cascading displays of beautiful flowers that last for months at a time, Dendrobium Phalaenopsis is a must-have addition to any gardener's collection. There are few things as inviting as stepping on a front porch to be greeted by a spectacular display of Dendrobium Phalaenopsis flowers spilling out of a hanging basket. On top of their obvious aesthetic appeal, however, I find my Dendrobium Phalaenopsis to be among the easiest of my orchids to grow and care for -- if you have the…
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How To Water & Fertilize A Vanda Orchid For Maximum Blooming Potential
Renowned for their large, long-lasting, show-stopping blooms in a rainbow of rare and vibrant colors, vanda orchids are definitely in a class by themselves. So much so that their blossoms are used to create the famous Hawaiian leis, an enchanting symbol of welcome, love and "aloha" spirit around the world. Under the right conditions, the vanda orchid has the potential to bloom all year round, up to four times per year. Plus, each blooming period lasts a long time with flowers lasting up to a month or even longer. In order to produce vanda'a beautiful blooms, however, vandas have some very exacting requirements, one of which is copious amounts of…
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Why Are The Leaves Of My Orchid Wrinkled & Leathery, & How To Fix Them
Have you noticed your orchid's leaves have been looking wrinkled, leathery, limp and droopy lately? Are dry lines and veins appearing in previously firm, hydrated leaves? If so, there clearly is a problem -- a dehydration problem. An orchid with flaccid, wrinkled leaves is definitely telling you that it is dehydrated. But, why is the question. While this may appear to be a simple watering problem, it is not quite that simple, since both an over-watered and an under-watered orchid display the same dehydration signs of limp, wrinkled leaves. Yes, somewhat counterintuitively, an overwatered orchid will also appear dehydrated. To get to the "root" of this problem, we must dig…
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How To Mount Or Attach Your Vanda Orchid To A Tree & Why You Should Grow Orchids On Trees
I talk a lot about the care and cultivation of the incomparable orchid here, but even among this amazing and diverse family of plants, vandas are in a class by themselves. Possessing a notably tall and stunning spray of flowers, vandas are also known for having a long-lasting flower that blooms in a rainbow of rare and vibrant colors, often accompanied by a sweet-smelling fragrance. All of these unique characteristics certainly earn vanda its place as a pre-eminent symbol of exotic, tropical beauty the world over. Let's take a closer look at how vanda's particular attributes, which include its love for heat, ventilation and humidity, also make epiphytic vanda the…