How to Choose the Right Orchid for You

Temperature

Wither you are planning to grow orchids inside or outside you will need to determine what the temperature range is from the coldest nighttime to the hottest daytime. If you are going to grow outside you can find several online websites that give what the temperatures range in your area. You can also buy your own min max thermometer and gather the data yourself. Many garden enthusiasts have their own mini weather stations.

For growing indoors you should already know the temperatures you set your thermometer at, however if the plant will be at a height level that is different from the thermometer you will need to determine the temperature. An example would be how much warmer it would be on the second story of your home when it is 78 degrees at the thermometer on the first floor.

Orchids have a variety of temperature preferences depending on the genus of the plant. The orchid temperature preferences are determined by the coolest nighttime temperature. Cool growing is from 45F to 55F, intermediate growing is from 55F to 60F, and warm growing is from 65F and warmer. Phalaenopsis orchid types are popular as an indoor plant because they fall into the warm growing temperature range.

Light

How much light your orchid needs is just as important as temperature. Some orchids need several hours a day of direct light. Others need only shady or less intensity light for longer hours. You can also grow orchids under artificial lights. Most medium and low light orchids can be illuminated by using florescent lamps. Orchids can be divided by the amount of light they need into three groups, bright light, medium light, and low light.

Orchids needing bright light require a very bright south facing window if grown inside or a bright greenhouse. You can use artificial lights with high output florescent lights which are special order and more expensive than normal fluorescents.

For medium light needs you can use an east facing window if grown inside or a shaded greenhouse. For artificial light you can use a normal four tube florescent light fixture.

Low light orchids can be grown in an east facing window or artificially with a two tube florescent light fixture. This is another reason Phalaenopsis orchids are popular they are low light and can be grown under normal indoor florescent lighting.

Humidity

Your orchid will require at least 50% humidity. If growing indoors you will need to be observant of the humidity. Air conditioners and heaters that on often when really hot or really cold will suck the humidity out of your house. In the conditions you may need to put your orchid in a room with a humidifier. I know some friends who move their orchids to the bathroom in the cold of winter because during hot showers the humidity rises and the plant gets the moisture it needs. There are many way to humidify a green house. I am assuming that if you have one you already know about humidity.

Space

Some orchids when full sized and in bloom require a lot of head space. So if you are planning to grow orchids on a window sill it will be important to measure how much space you have above the pot to the top of the window.

Air Circulation

Indoors most houses have enough air circulation, but you need to consider the placement of the orchid in your home to make sure the air will circulate around the plant. Many types of orchids gather most of what they need from the air. Sometimes just a small fan or turning on a ceiling fan can have a dramatic affect on your orchid.

When you go to purchase your orchid be sure to ask the grower or resident gardener about the temperature, light, humidity, and size of the plant you are considering and you will be happier with your results if you match your plant to your growing environment.

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About the Author:
Ellen Reader – your online orchid expert
 
Need more Information about Orchids please visit The Online Orchid Center.  There you will find more articles pertaining to orchids.
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A Cheap Greenhouse Can Work Great If You Keep These Tips In Mind

Hobby greenhouses have certainly made their mark in the “Green” movement as of late in terms of productivity and quality of organic produce output. They are in vogue due to their proven ability to increase yield over a long time at reduced costs. Plants that grow in greenhouses are also less likely to suffer from diseases and dysfunctional growth problems.

This is because the environment inside the greenhouse is highly regulated and conditions conducive for high output are maintained. There are various options for the creation of a cheap greenhouse available in the market today. These include the portable and the mini garden greenhouse variety, both of which can be made with relative ease by any energetic do-it-yourselfer.

There are a few factors that one should consider when setting up a cheap greenhouse that will perform like their more expensive counter-parts. One such factor is the location of the greenhouse. It is important that you pick a location in such a manner that ensures all plants get maximum access to morning sunlight. Access to the light is important because this ensures warmth is retained in the greenhouse. Avoid setting it up in an area where shadows may obstruct the rays of the sun, for instance next to a tall building. Location is also important in ensuring that plants are protected from the effects of strong winds.

After choosing the perfect location for your new greenhouse, you’ll want to ensure that  your build your house with the proper temperature regulation controls in mind. Greenhouses usually have warmer temperatures than those of the surrounding environment. Temperature is regulated in two ways which I will elaborate below:

For inexpensive options I recommend using either polycarbonate panels or greenhouse plastic sheeting. Both allow light and heat to penetrate efficiently, thereby warming up the plants and soil. This same heat is then trapped by the glazing material trapping it within the confines of the enclosure. In very cold or windy areas, greenhouses are protected by an insulation covering that prevents strong wind from affecting the plants. Therefore the still air within the greenhouse gets progressively warmer. This is good for plants as they are able to mature faster.

On the other hand during the summer period temperatures can get very hot within the greenhouse. This is dangerous for the plants. Temperatures beyond a certain prescribed level can cause the plants to scorch. In such circumstances, it is best to install a shade over the glazing (a canvas wrap works great). This will cause the temperatures to cool down.

It is also important to consider measures that will ensure there are no pests or insects that are likely to infect plant. A floor with good drainage will reduce the incidence of pests and insects in the greenhouse, as any standing water will provide ideal breeding grounds for such pests.

By keeping the above guidelines in mind, you’ll be well on your way to making a quality cheap greenhouse of your own.


Dave Pierson is a master gardener and professional nurseryman who has been teaching others how to build hobby greenhouses for over 15 years. To learn more about how to build your own cheap greenhouse, click here, and please visit gardengreenhouseinfo.com. Our FREE ‘Build Your Own Greenhouse’ mini-course is a tremendous resource for anyone serious about building their own personal greenhouse.

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Grow Lights

Grow lights are a great device for starting your spring garden indoors, or for keeping a greenhouse garden going all year long. The grow lights that are available can be high tech LED, high intensity, traditional incandescent, or fluorescent lights. More people are using grow lights today because they are interested in doing more indoor gardening.       

Twenty-five watts of light for each square foot is the best way to calculate what you need if grow lights are going to be your only light source. If you will also be using sunlight you can get by with less wattage unless you want to have more growth for your plants.  

The standard fluorescent grow light will produce little heat and are inexpensive. For this reason many indoor gardeners are now using them. The incandescent light will put out more heat and is normally for spot lighting. Fluorescent lights are double the efficiency of the incandescent lights and they last about 25 times longer. If more light is needed, a high output fluorescent is better but they will not last as long and they will also burn cool.

If you are getting into indoor hydroponic gardening, grow lights are very important. They will supply the light that is needed for the proper photosynthesis of your plants. Fluorescent grow lights, sorry to say, do not produce enough light for a hydroponic garden. One thousand watts of lighting is enouch to penetrate up to 25 square feet of growing. Most of the time reflectors or light movers can be used for effective hydroponic gardening.

A simple compact fluorescent light fixture that has a bulb with a wattage of 20 or below will do the job for a single plant. The compact fluorescent light bulb use as grow lights is a much larger wattage.

High pressure sodium grow light, or HPS bulbs, last a long time and are very efficient. These grow lights will produce a brighter light and are high in the yellow and red range of the spectrum. They are best when used for the flowering stages of plants because they are very much like the sun during the fall season. The high heat caused by these bulbs could cause a problem but can be neutralized if you have the correct ventilation in your indoor garden.

Metal halide grow lights are great for producing full spectrum lights. The blue light that is emitted imitates the summer sun and that makes them wonderful for vegetable growing. Some of these light bulbs are designed to emit only certain colors of the light. Metal halide grow lights are the best lights for green leaf vegetables.

Using growing lights on the whole helps arouse the growth of seedlings that are being planned for planting outdoors in the spring. In the greenhouse, the use of grow lights will help the gardener continue to garden throughout the year.

Barbara has thought about doing some indoor gardening and the use of grow lights. Her website Gardeners Garden Supplies is changing all the time with new ideas in gardening and home decorating that she wants to share, so please visit sometime.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/grow-lights-1448269.html

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