Archive for ‘Uncategorized’

August 24th, 2010

Building a Garden Shed

Have you ever thought about building something like, for instance, a garden shed? Maybe, maybe not, but regardless you probably think it would be pretty easy. Just go to the hardware store, buy some wood nails, put it all together and you’re done. After all, it’s just a shed.

But it isn’t that easy. As with any architectural endeavor, building a shed requires hard labor and planning. You have to research the project or you might end up wasting supplies and spending more money than you would otherwise have to.

Here are a couple of tips for building a shed.

1. Decide how big you want the shed to be. You can’t have too much space; take all the objects that you want to put in your shed, figure out how big the shed would have to be to accommodate those items, then make it twice as big. You will probably get more stuff later on in the future, and you don’t want to wind up with a shed that is too tiny.

2. Install a lock on your shed to keep it safe. Lawnmowers, and other outdoor equipment that would be housed in a shed, can be pretty expensive; you don’t want it to get stolen.

There are a lot of themes in the world. Getting a lock for your shed is definitely smarter than leaving it to chance that no one will rob you.

3. Make sure your garden shed is weatherproofing can handle harsh environmental conditions, like storms and snow. Don’t cheap out on materials.

4. Check the regulations on Garden sheds in your area. Some local councils are strict regarding what kind of shed you can build in your yard. If you don’t build one that meets specifications, you can incur heavy fines and end up having to destroy it.

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August 23rd, 2010

5 Tips For Organic Vegetable Growing Success

If you are worried that organic vegetable gardening sounds like it is too much like hard work and too time consuming then all you need to do is follow these 5 tips and you will be well on your way to harvesting your very own delicious organic vegetables in no time at all. Do not be put off by people who say that it is not worth the time or effort because when you harvest your very first crop of vegetables you get a fantastic feeling of pride, and when you sit down to eat them it is even better.

Grow Vegetables That You Like Eating

Now this may sound pretty straight forward for some people but it’s surprising how many people grow vegetables that they don’t particularly like the taste of, just because they are easy to grow or their friend grows them. Although you must always make sure that you choose vegetables that will grow well in your part of the country as well.

Give Your Vegetables The Most Sun

Making sure your vegetables are in a position in your garden that receives the most amount of sun is very important in order to have the healthiest and tastiest veg.

Organic Fertilizers

When you need to use an organic fertilizer it is a good idea to make sure that it is a slow releasing fertilizer, that way your vegetables will get the most benefit from it.

Get Nature on Your Side

Attracting the right kind of insects and other wildlife to protect your vegetables from unwanted pests is extremely important when it comes to organic vegetable gardening. A few of these animals that you want in your garden are, hover flies, garden spiders, frogs, hedgehogs and ladybirds. Some of the things that you can do to attract this helpful wildlife is by planting certain flowers such as pot marigold, Californian poppy, daisy or golden rod just to name a few. Also you could start by putting up bird boxes or you could even think about adding a pond into your garden, if you have enough space of course.

Make Your Own Compost

To make the most out of your soil it is a good idea to make some of our own compost. This is a fairly straight forward process but it does take a fair amount of time, so there is no time like the present to begin.

As long as you follow good advice and don’t make things over complicated, then organic vegetable gardening is a very enjoyable and rewarding thing to do. Visit my website for more advice and tips when it comes to growing organic vegetables, I know that it can be very daunting if you are not sure what you should be doing and that is why I am here to help.

I have been growing organic vegetables for many years and my goal is to get as many people into the garden as I can.
The best thing about organic vegetable gardening isn’t the money that you will save on grocery bills (although that is nice), for me the best thing is the satisfaction that you get when you are eating your very own beautiful vegetables.

To find out more tips on organic vegetable gardening and even take a look at some of my recipes go to http://www.myorganicvegetablegardening.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Douglas

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August 22nd, 2010

Vegetable Garden Anywhere – An Outline For the Beginning Gardener

You don’t have to live in the country, or even on a particularly large piece of land in the suburbs, to grow a vegetable garden. Nor do you need a degree in horticulture to figure out what to plant where. You do, however, need a working knowledge of the basics of what a successful vegetable garden needs in order to get started:

Sunlight. Your yard, deck, porch, or window must get sunlight for several hours each day. Plants require it in order to grow, so observe where it shines and for how long before you do anything else. If you’re one of those unlucky folks whose yard is completely shaded most of the day (or you don’t have a yard at all) and none of your windows are particularly sunny either, you will have to invest in some full-spectrum grow lights if you intend to successfully grow your own vegetable garden. It can be done, it will just take extra care.

Living Soil. You need moist, crumbly loam – a healthy mix of sand, clay, and organic matter that holds moisture but drains effectively. If you have a yard, do yourself a favor and either test the soil’s pH level yourself (there are testing kits you can purchase for a reasonable price), or contact your county extension office about sending your samples to them for testing. Testing your soil will tell you what amendments you need to add to it before planting, and double-tilling (to 2 feet) will give your plants’ roots plenty of room to grow deep.. If you will be container gardening (either outdoors or indoors), find a good quality, organic potting soil to fill your containers with, making sure to allow for drainage.

Water. While tap water will nourish your plants, non-chlorinated/fluoridated rain water is best, so if you have a place to put a rain barrel, buy one and install it. Drip irrigation is your best choice for watering your vegetable garden, as it ensures that the water gets to the roots of your plants rather than just misting the foliage (which can actually spread plant diseases). There are drip irrigation kits available for both container and traditional gardening techniques, and you can even hook them up to your rain barrel with the proper hardware connections.

Seeds (or seedlings from a nursery). Buy organic. Buy heirloom if you can. These seeds or plants have been grown naturally, and will reproduce so that you can harvest your own seeds if you wish in order to plant the following year. You don’t want sterile genetically modified seeds taken from synthetically fertilized plants also dripping with synthetic pesticides. Don’t support Big Agribusiness and their increasing monopoly of the world’s food supply. Patronize the smaller, independent farmers and seed-growers, instead. After all, you are joining their ranks!

Plant Food. Organic fertilizers abound. Bone meal, compost, hydrolyzed fish, rotted manure from horses, cows, or chickens…to name a few. If you started out with healthy soil, you will likely need much less additional fertilizer throughout the year.

Pest Control. You can use barriers, such as fences, fabric row covers, and garden mesh or netting. There are scare tactics, such as motion-activated ultrasonic devices, artificial owls with rotating heads, or balloons and ribbons. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs can be purchased to release into your garden – they love to eat aphids. There are also organic pesticides that can be applied to your plants, such as homemade garlic or hot chili pepper emulsions, or commercial products such as Bacillus Thuringiensis or Diatomaceous Earth. Organic pesticides are made from plant material and do not destroy your soil like synthetic pesticides.

Crop Rotation/Succession Planting/Cover Crops. Don’t plant the same thing in the same place twice in a 3-year period (5 years is even better). If you’ve grown something that depletes the soil of a particular nutrient, plant something there next time that replaces that nutrient. Ration your seeds and plant them at 1-3-week intervals, so that you don’t have a glut of produce (lettuce, for instance) all at once and then nothing later. Instead of letting your garden lie fallow during the winter, plant a cover crop, which helps prevent erosion and feeds your soil until it’s time to till it under and plant again.

There are no shortcuts to a bountiful harvest. Preparation is the key to getting a successful vegetable garden growing and seeing it through until harvest time and beyond.

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August 21st, 2010

Common North American Butterflies

North America has a wide variety of butterfly species. There are several hundred known species of butterfly that live in North America. We’re going to take a look at a few of the most common North American butterflies.

The monarch butterfly is one of the most well-known butterfly species. It’s common all around the United States and the southern part of Canada. Monarch caterpillars eat exclusively milkweed plants.

Because milkweed contains toxins, monarch larva and butterflies are not eaten by predators. They live mostly in open, sunny places. They especially love meadows that are full of weeds. They live on various types of milkweed, including common milkweed, scarlet milkweed, and dogbane.

Adult monarch butterflies feed off the nectar of beggar ticks, coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, goldenrod, New England aster, and several types of thistle. The Eastern tiger swallowtail is certainly one of the most easily recognizable butterflies in the U.S.

It is often found in forests and streams, but may also be found around flowering bushes in city gardens. It loves flowers with a lot of nectar. Males are yellow with black decoration, and females are either yellow or black.

They generally breed on broadleaf trees like cottonwood, cherry, birch, poplar, and willow. Their favorite nectar flowers are typically phlox and milkweed. The painted lady butterfly typically lays its eggs on thistle or asters.

It is one of the most widespread butterfly species in the word, and can be found all over Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. They seem to be especially attracted to feeding on goldenrod. They also tend to be attracted to butterfly bushes.

The red-spotted purple butterfly is a ground-dweller. They fly low, and light on low-lying branches or on the ground. They look similar to a poisonous butterfly known as the pipevine swallowtail.

They breed on willows, poplars, cherry trees, apples, hawthorns, and aspens. They feed on thistles, lilac, azaleas, phlox, petunias, lupines, butterfly bush, and bergamot, among others. The pipevine swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with iridescent blue on the wings.

They lay eggs on many different types of trees, similar to the red-spotted purple. They also eat the same types of nectar. The cabbage white butterfly is certainly extremely common. It’s a white butterfly with few markings, and is rather small in size. It lays eggs on radishes, cabbage, broccoli, and nasturtiums.

Mourning cloak butterflies can survive throughout the winter in many parts of the world. It’s native to North America and Eurasia. Their wings are very dark red, with a yellowish border around the wings.

They also have a dark band with brighter blue spots on the wings. Their caterpillars are raised on willows, aspens, cottonwoods, elms, and paper birch trees. They are especially common on willows and elms.

Adult butterflies usually live on sap and rotting fruit, but occasionally feed on flower nectar. If you’d like to attract certain species of butterfly, you’ll need to provide them with the food the adults need, as well as a good place to lay their eggs.

Barb Sibbing is a Direct Sales, Social Media, and Video Marketing Coach, offering proven techniques and strategies to help grow a successful business. My passion is to empower and inspire families to find the best in themselves in direct sales, social media and a family first lifestyle. Sign up for Barb’s newsletter and grab your FREE 7-Day Boot Camp Videos and learn how to attract an endless stream of prospects at Barb Sibbing’s Blog How might I add value to your journey today? Celebrate Life!

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August 21st, 2010

Remember to Water Your Orchids

Many gardeners love growing flowers and deciding which ones to grow can be a challenge; one flower which looks amazing when it blooms is the orchid. These flowers do take some care but if you get this right and water orchids correctly then you will be rewarded with amazing flowers. Healthy orchids need sunlight and love to be allowed to bask in it; if you provide the right amount then they will flourish. As long as you water, feed and care for them correctly you will be able to boast some amazing looking orchids.

Water is essential for all plants and flowers and getting the right amount is very important, many people will over water their orchids and this will destroy them. You need to ensure that you not only water orchids with the correct amount of water but also at the right time of day and with the right water temperature. You will also need to consider where you live; if you live in a very hot climate then you should water orchids more often than if you live in an area that is cooler. The size of the pot that your orchid is potted in also will determine how much water to give them. Larger pots will require more water, and smaller pots should be monitored to ensure you do not drown your orchid.

Depending on the variety of orchid will determine the care that will be needed to ensure that your orchid does well. The watering techniques are always the same though; you should ensure that your water is lukewarm. You can quite happily drench the orchid although the pot should not be over flowing. Keeping the water level just below the rim of the orchid pot is a good measure; this will ensure that your orchid has the correct amount of water. You should then not water orchids again until the soil is un-moist; this is an ideal time to feed them as well. If you are unsure then leave the orchids for a couple of days and test the soil.

Some people find it a help to place a twig or your finger in the soil with the orchid, this will determine if the soil below the surface is dry and in need have water. If the soil is still damp then you should leave the orchid for a bit longer and try again in a few days. As a guide line most orchids do not need watering more than once a week. Although there are so many factors to consider when growing orchids, so you need to adapt the watering system to where you live.

Remember when caring for your orchid’s that over watering will almost certainly kill them. Under watering will not be healthy for your orchids but is better than drowning them. There are so many different varieties to choose from for you to enjoy growing. Once you get into a routine when to water orchids you will be able to grow them successfully for years to come.

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August 21st, 2010

Compost Containers – What You Must Know Before Buying Them

We all know how important recycling is these days and studies have shown that the rate of people growing their own fruits and vegetables has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. Times are tough economics wise and it’s a smart idea to save money where you can. The best way to have a thriving vegetable patch is by adding compost scraps.

Compost which consists of used natural food scraps acts as a natural food for your plants as you know and it also doesn’t cost you any additional money.

The best way to contain your compost is by storing the scraps in compost containers which help break down the compost.

OK so you’re probably here because you’re looking to buy your own compost bins and don’t know where to start? As any smart person knows, knowledge is power so doing your research is a must with anything in life, so well done.

When it comes to compost containers, it can be a little confusing as there are a few different models available and you may not know which size to buy.

We’ll go through a few of the models now and explain the differences of each.

Firstly there is your standard compost container that sits there and holds the contents which will naturally break down over time. This is the slowest method and if you ain’t in a hurry is the cheapest model too.

You can also choose from a tumbling compost container which as you guessed it spins much like a washing machine. These sit on the surface of your area and can generally produce compost within 3 weeks time, making it one of the fastest methods of making compost.

If you’re not afraid of getting your hands a little slimy, you can always opt for a a worm compost container. The worms will help break down the contents faster.

If you plan on doing a lot of composting, then you can always buy the large multi-bin units which allow you to compost more at a time. These will cost a bit more but are very efficient if you need them.

Other aspects to consider when choosing your container is to make sure that the hole where the contents is accessed is easy to gain access too. You don’t want to be bending over or anything too strenuousness to get the goods! Also its better to have a compost bin that is above ground so that any rodents like mice cannot get to the compost and ruin your hard work.

As you can see using compost containers is the easiest way to produce compost and will save you a lot of work and time. Whether you need a small or extra large size for your? garden, all that’s left to do is? collect your vegetables, fruits, leaves and lawn and buy yourself a container!

The best place to buy compost containers for sale is online from any storage or gardening supplier website. Have a good look around and you’ll find some great bargains.

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August 21st, 2010

Vegetable Garden Design – A Year in the Garden

Through the use of an effective vegetable garden design scheme you will have a vegetable plot to supply most, if not all of your vegetable needs through out the year.

What a lot of people getting involved in the vegetable gardening field don’t know is that you have to work at it all year round. You may only be harvesting crops in spring, summer and fall but you will be out in the late fall and through out the winter preparing it for the coming year.

Through the utilisation of proper vegetable garden design you will have chores to do all year long and this is turn will reward you hopefully with a bumper crop year on year. Some of the chores that have to be attended to in the late fall / early winter are-

Dig the ground to get hard lumps to the surface – the frost will break it down for you.

Rake up leaves – you can store these in a compost plot (make a frame out of chicken wire and 3 or 4 posts, then pack the leaves into it and now you leave it for a year or so), this will give you mulch for the garden.

If you are planting for a spring crop now is the time to plant your

carrots
Broad Beans

If you have an undercover area now is the time for you to plant

Lettuces
Radishes

If this is not your first year you may have crops which are ready for harvesting, these will include

Cabbage
brussels Sprouts – just in time for the turkey
Lettuce
Carrots
Leeks
Potatoes
Pumpkins – now where’s that carving knife?
Radishes

If you are only starting off then in your first winter you are going to be preparing the soil for your crops. The winter brings a time for organisation

Get digging – the winter frost will have broken up the large lumps you left in the fall, now is the time to dig them back into the bed. If you have plantings done in the fall you can cover them with polythene or straw to protect them from a frost.

Get all your tools sharp or purchase any new ones you need. This a good time to walk your plot with you vegetable garden design in your hand and picture your crops growing. If this is not your first year then walk your plot and remember what went right and what went wrong in previous years and plan your attack for this year.

As for planting, it is now time to sow your seeds for

Shallots
Rhubarb
Garlic

If you have an undercover area now is the time for you to plant

Leeks
Cabbage – for your summer harvest
Cauliflowers – these are also for your summer harvest
lettuces
Radishes

If this is not your first year you may have crops which are ready for harvesting, these will include

Cabbage
Cauliflowers
Your Broccoli will be sprouting
Lettuce
Carrots
celery
Leeks
spinach
Parsnips
Radishes

Now we are into the spring and everything is brightening up and with the weather picking up so do the chores round the garden. This is when we start to get everything going.

-You dug the beds in the fall and then again in the winter, now is time to check that they are ready for the seeds.
-cover fragile plants with nettings to protect them from pests.
-check the fall and winter planting for spacing out.

As for planting, it is now time to sow your seeds for

Spring Onions
Radishes
Beetroot
Carrots
Broad Beans

If you have an undercover area now is the time for you to plant

Onions
Peppers
Celery
Indoor Tomatoes

There maybe a need here for nursery beds for being on some early plantings

Brussels Sprouts – the fall plantings
Lettuce
Leeks
Cabbage – both fall and winter

As Spring progresses you will have to

start the hardening up process for the young plants you had undercover for the fall and winter
Ensure the soil doesn’t become dry due to lack of rain
keep the weeds down by hoeing regularly
put up supports for climbers
keep thinning out as you go

planting is still going on, now we have

Cabbage
Onions
Potatoes

Have the spring frosts passed? Good time for the

Peppers
Celery
Sweetcorn
Tomatoes the outdoor kind
Beans

We still need the undercover for

Cucumbers
Tomatoes

One more thing to do harvest your crops

Broad Beans
Leeks
Lettuce
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Radishes
Rhubarb

Summertime and the living is easy – sorry just started signing there, getting back to the garden. Even though Summer is a time for harvesting you still have chores to do. These include

Add fertiliser to areas where you are sowing new cropsWith Beans and Tomatoes you need to put in supports to keep them growingkeep a look out for pests and diseases and act straight away if you see any signsThis being the hottest time of the year keep watering your cropsDon’t forget that some plants like Tomatoes and Beans are repeat growers so pick them as soon as they are readyTowards the end of summer clear away crops that have finished and prepare the ground for your next planting

Summer maybe a time for harvesting but there is still sowing to do, this will include

Carrots
Lettuce
Onions
Turnips
peas for fall
beetroot

Did we mention that Summer is a time for harvesting, well it is and this includes

Broad Beans
Shallots
Sweetcorn
Tomatoes
Beans
Potatoes
Garlic
Cauliflowers
Beetroot

Now we are back to the fall and it all starts again but now you have a vegetable garden design that works and hopefully you have enjoyed all the work. With time it will all come easier to you as you get used to the routine and the chores won’t seem so much like chores.

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August 20th, 2010

Pesky Potions – Pesticides the Natural Way

Our Philippine Flower Farm also loathe pests and insects. Through the years, Flower Depot Inc. has learned a few tricks to get rid of pests the natural way.

Healthy plants and healthy soil: One of the easiest ways to control pests in the farm is to prevent them from coming in! We have learned that healthy plants have healthy defenses. Just like us, when we are weak, we are more prone to sickness. Weak plants are either already infected, or will attract even more predators. What we do in the farm is pull out or dispose of weak plants. Do note that your most important defense is to have a healthy soil. Healthy soils grow strong and vibrant plants. We keep our soils in tip-top shape by natural composting methods such as mulching and using compost or natural fertilizer to the soil.

Minimize insect habitats: Make sure that you do not have breeding places in your area for insects. In our farm, we regularly clean our greenhouses, making sure they are free from debris and weeds, which are breeding places for insects.

Keep the leaves dry: Insects and fungus thrive on wet leaves. Wet leaves also spread disease. In our farm, we use drip irrigation methods to water our plants. Drip irrigation delivers the water to the plant’s roots without wetting the leaves. How is this done? Tiny holes are inserted at various points in a hose, allowing small quantities of water to trickle slowly into the soil over long periods of time. Another advantage of this method is saving water. Unlike sprinkler systems, we use 30-50% less water, applying these directly to the area where the plants need it the most. Drip irrigation also prevents soil erosion and nutrient run-off.

Take advantage of beneficial insects: There are actually some insects or pests that are good for the farm or your garden. For example, LADYBUGS eat aphids, mites, whiteflies and scale (the worst pests for flowers.) That is why we just love ladybugs and take care of these insects in the farm.

Make your own homemade pesticide barriers or sprays:

Flypaper: Do you know that ANY heavy paper or cardboard, painted with yellow and coated with anything sticky can be an effective flypaper? In our farm, we use recycled hard plastic containers, paint these yellow and then put sticky substances on them. We just hang these in our greenhouses and catch pesky aphids and whiteflies!

Neem Extract: We use a lot of Neem in the farm. Neem has remarkable powers for controlling insects. Its extract is used as a safe and natural pesticide. It is so unique because Neem does not immediately kill the insect. Instead, it alters an insect’s behavior or life processes in ways that can be extremely subtle. Eventually, however, the insect can no longer feed or breed or metamorphose, and cannot cause damage. Because of this subtle method, our crops, people, and animals are protected.

Fish Emulsion: We have replaced chemical pesticides with mixes of our fish emulsion. What is it? Fish waste, yes you read it right, foul and messy fish entrails! We gather all fish scraps from the markets, grind them, and mix them with an enzyme. We screen out the bones and decant the oil, and what remains is fish silage. Also, enzymes already in the ground fish continued to digest and break down to amino acids. More than a pesticide, it doubles as a great fertilizer. Fish emulsions are wonderful sources of nutrients!

So there. You can actually rid yourself of those pesky flies and insects without spraying yourself and your pretty flowers with chemical concoctions! All it takes is some creativity while you harness the wisdom of nature.

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August 20th, 2010

Caring For Orchids – A Step-By-Step Guide

If you are caring for orchids, then you certainly understand how magnificent these flowers can be, with the proper care. They beautify homes, providing a flowery, natural touch to living rooms, bedrooms, and even balconies. Orchids are welcoming plants, and are terrific choices for corsages and arm bands for graduations, proms, and especially weddings.

Caring for orchids can be challenging – aptly described as half science and half art. Caring for your plant is more than just providing water and sunlight. It requires accuracy, punctuality, a great deal of endurance and love.

For this reason, it’s important to follow these essential fundamentals before you start planting and caring for these exquisite gifts of nature.

First Things First

You will find more than 25,000 types and over 100,000 hybrids of orchids, each requiring specific growing conditions. For this reason, avoid pushing forward and buying an orchid plant without sufficient knowledge of their requirements. Do your research by utilizing the Internet. Here, you will find information-packed websites, blogs, and forums, many of them for free. If you feel intimidated using the Internet, consider asking a knowledgeable friend or visit your local nursery for advice.

Once you feel comfortable knowing the fundamentals, you can now choose your orchid. Be sure to pick an orchid that will fit your daily life, your routine, and one that meets your budget. Don’t make a buying decision based on the beauty of the flower; many a weekend gardener has fallen into this trap, only to find they have no idea how to properly grow their new orchid. Be sure you understand what you’re buying and how much time you’ll need to devote to your new orchid plant.

In some ways, your plant will decide if its right for you. The orchid’s environmental needs are specific and your surroundings will need to meet these needs. To ignore this basic fact would be to risk your hard earned money. For example, most orchids prefer cooler temperatures and should be placed out of the direct sunlight at midday. In addition, many orchids prefer to be moist much of the time, but not too wet or the plant will wilt. You can see that orchids can, indeed be very sensitive creatures. The important thing is to understand the requirements of the plant you are purchasing.

Let There Be Light

There are two methods for supplying light energy to an orchid – one is natural and the other is artificial. Sunlight is the best source of energy, however while taking care of orchids you might want to monitor the amount of sunlight your plant receives, as too much exposure will hamper the growth and blooming of your orchid.

Selecting the best spot in your home for your orchid can be tricky. You want to find a place with just enough sunlight, not too much and never too little. A south window may be a great choice because it can gather indirect, less intense light during the morning and later afternoons. Midday sun can be especially harmful to your orchid plant.

Fluorescent lighting is also suitable for orchids when you are having trouble regulating natural sunlight. You may have to play around with the exact lighting requirements for your orchid to maximize its growth.

Just The Right Temperature

It is generally agreed that orchids prefer cool temperatures during the night and must be kept in the range between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum results. It is important to remember that orchids will not flourish if placed in an environment of more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and will even stop blooming when placed in 90 degree heat. Make sure to place them in a cool environment; this will also help to keep the soil moist.

Watering Your Orchid Plant

When potting your orchid, be sure to provide proper drainage. This can be simply accomplished by making holes in the bottom of the container. Water the plant thoroughly, and place the orchid on a water tray to ensure that it will get a consistent amount of water. A word of caution here – don’t allow the roots to touch the water in the tray. The roots will get soaked and rot.

The quantity and frequency of watering primarily depends on the type of orchid. The majority of orchids planted in barks require watering roughly every five days. Nevertheless, times may vary considerably, so do your homework. Again, use the Internet as an information source or consult a horticulturist.

Use of Fertilizers

The type of fertilizer you should use is a critical component to consider when taking care of orchids. While selecting a fertilizer always keep in mind that it should be free from urea and soluble in water. That will guarantee best results. As a general rule of thumb – what’s favorable to the normal growth of an orchid is also favorable to the environment.

Most orchid care specialists agree that a liquid fertilizer with a 20-20-20 analysis, or even a more specific 30-10-10 analysis is perfect for orchids grown on barks. Additionally, using liquid fertilizer makes it easy to apply, by simply adding it during the normal watering schedule. Simply follow the package directions.

Pruning

In order to make your orchid gorgeous and impressive-looking, proper pruning is essential. Pruning serves two purposes – it removes dead parts of the plant and beautifies the shape of your orchid. In general, it’s best to prune your orchid in the fall or early winter months.

Pruning can also be used to prolong the blooming process. Perfectly timed pruning may result in a second bloom developing on the same orchid plant. Simply remove the end of the bloom stalk to cause it to bloom again, extending the joy you’ll get from your magnificent orchid!

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