Beginner's Corner

Nutrients are very important for all plants and living beings including orchid plants. Most plants obtain the nutrients and moisture they need from the soil. Soil or Terrestrial plants use their roots to absorb these nutrients. As most orchids are epiphytes that grow on the trees they can not benefit from the soil’s richness. Instead, they create their own mini nutrient gardens by trapping wind-blown plant and animal matter, grains of soil, mineral flakes, bird droppings and other nutrients between their tangled roots where they can be absorbed by the plant from the moisture around the roots. However this is...

Use a container of 10 liters or more for a 3 liters packet of coconut husk. Fill the container with 10 liters of water. Rainwater is preferable but not essential at this stage. Untreated tap water can be used regardless of the Ph or EC. Fill in the container with coconut husk now, the medium should now start absorbing water and should be completely soaked in water in a few hours. After 24 hours, you must empty the water in the container, which will be brown in colour which nothing but tannin from the husk. Once again use fresh water...

There are different reasons that cause yellow leaves and not all of them are a cause to worry. AGING If the plant is healthy with an active root system, the bottom or older leaves one or two yellowing could be just a part normal aging process of the leaves. LIGHT Too much light is another reason for the yellowing of leaves. Too much light will cause the chlorophyll in the leaves to deteriorate which in turn can turn your orchid yellowish to a light greenish colour and eventually cause premature loss of the leaves. If the plant is receiving the...

Orchids are fascinating and you can’t resist the temptation of growing one yourself. Most of the orchids that you get are hybrids specifically made for good looking flowers and easy to care plants. They are easy to grow provided a few basic requirements are met like light and humidity. Orchids, like all plants, need a balance of light, air, water and food to grow and flower well. Growing your orchids successfully at home is important to you as well as to us, most of the hobbyists do not have green-houses to grow plants. Infact you do not need a green house to grow orchids....