Franklin Park Conservatory offers unique botanical collections, gardens, waterfalls, and educational programs designed to foster lifelong learning and appreciation of plants.

Franklin Park Conservatory is located at 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children ages 3 through 17. Members and children under 2 are free. All exhibitions are included in the general admission price. For more information, visit the Conservatory’s web site at www.fpconservatory.org.

 

 

by Barbara Arnold

Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants and are found all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. Many grow in warm, tropical climates high up in the tree canopy with plenty of sun, elevated humidity, and a good stiff breeze. More than half of all orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow anchored to trees or shrubs instead of in soil. If they can survive in all these seemingly stressful conditions, shouldn’t they thrive in the comfort of your home?

Many people consider orchids to be difficult to care for, but if you can grow houseplants it is possible to successfully grow orchids. The trick to growing any plant is selecting the right plant for the existing conditions, and the same holds true for growing orchids in the house: Choose the right orchid for the indoor environment you have to offer. Bear this in mind while considering the following suggestions.

Humidity
Orchids like 50 to 70 percent humidity. Normal homes in winter will have, depending on outside temperatures, anywhere from 15 to 40 percent humidity. As a standard for comparison, consider the Sierra Desert—it has a humidity level of 25 percent.

There are a couple of ways to achieve the proper level of humidity, including humidity trays or pot saucers. Humidity trays have risers that allow the plant to sit above the water in the tray; as the water evaporates, the humidity around the plant is raised. By putting gravel in a saucer you can create the same effect by placing the orchid pot on top of the gravel, ensuring it does not sit directly in the water.

Light
Depending on the type of orchid you have, the plant could need direct sun to very little sunlight. In the house, give them as much light as possible, but be careful not to let the leaves sunburn. If this happens move the plant immediately. Be sure to know what type of orchid you have in order to select the right window for it. Orchids can also go outside during the warm summer months, but keep them up off the ground and out of bright direct sunlight. 

 
    Full sun: Vanda
    Bright light: Cattleya, Dendrobium and Oncidium
    Low light: Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum

Temperature
For the already in-bloom orchid, keep it out of direct cold blasts from outside doors, away from heat vents, and off the TV. To encourage many orchid plants to grow a spike and bloom, temperature fluctuation is necessary. This is a change in daytime to nighttime temperatures with a drop of 10 to 15 degrees F, with daytime temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees and nighttime temperatures around 60 degrees. Consider how the temperature changes on the windowsill: The sun warms the air during the day while at night the glass transfers a bit of the cold from outside.

Water
It is best to soak the potting mix thoroughly and wait until the surface is dry before watering again, roughly every five to seven days. Touch the potting mix or simply lift the pot; if it feels light it needs watered. Orchids need a bit more water when they are flowering. 
    Water daily: Vanda    
    Water 3-4 times a week: Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis
    Water weekly: Cattleya

Fertilizer
Every potted plant can use some fertilizer. For orchids use a water-soluble fertilizer or a diluted mix – half that recommended on the label. For example, if the directions say 1 tablespoon to a gallon of water, you would mix 1½ teaspoons to a gallon. 

Orchids are great flowering plants as the flowers can last for weeks, more bang for the buck so to speak, so don’t give up on them. Some orchids can fill the room with their fragrance, while others only give out their perfume when you are close-up. If you are easily discouraged, start out with the Phalaenopsis or “moth orchid”—these are great for the beginner because they are tough and can stand being in the house.

Barbara Arnold is horticulture designer at Franklin Park Conservatory. To comment on this article, e-mail info@ourohio.org.