Orchid Care for Beginners: 6 Skills You Need to Master

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Are there any subjects I covered here that you would like me to do an in-depth video on?

[@vanessal1893]

A care video on your catasetums please !

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

@@vanessal1893 Coming up!

[@lawrencerobison1873]

I'm an old man in East Central Florida with 200+ orchids. If you want to know "The Master of Fertilization" check out Rick L Orchids. He has been doing it as long as Palmer, actually he is relatively new to orchids, not plants. His old videos from, 2 years ago when he started with orchids, will knock your socks off. I guarantee it!!!

[@extraorchidinary6347]

He is the one who gave me the inspiration to have RO plant installed for my orchids and buy calmag. Now my orchids are way much better than before

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

@@lawrencerobison1873 that’s so funny! He is actually a subscriber to this channel. I learned a lot from him. @rickl.orchids

[@anndriggers6660]

Great idea, mounting all your orchids, as long as you live in a climate such as Florida's. Your humidity lends itself well to that culture, but most home growers aren't fortunate enough (or unfortunate, depending on what we're talking about) to have 95% humidity 95% of the time. Mounting just isn't an option for a vast majority, including me. 🙄

[@JustcallmeDebbieB]

​@@anndriggers6660 My dendrobiums are mounted and I spritz them 3 times a day, so far new roots and flowers...just mounted in March, a bunch of keikis. Southern California. They hang outside.

[@tomfurmby88]

Hi Dave, I'll add my observations if you find them helpful, if not I will still add them because you went through all the trouble filming it. 1. completely agree about the fertilizing. I am so glad you brought this up. Many times I have heard people say you need to fertilize bigger plants more and smaller plants less but this is a completely outdated concept. These days we understand the concept of growing orchids hydroponically and in hydroponics you don't so much measure how much fertilizer per size of the plant (like one used to a few centuries ago), these days in hydroponics we measure concentration of the fertilizer. As long as it's not fertiized at at too high concentration then the more fertilizer makes them more pest resistant, stronger and healthier. Water is the transportation system for fertilizer. We cannot make the plant absorb fertilizer unless it absorbs water. Every opportunity should be used to improve the health of our orchids. Many times I see people flushing lots or fertilizing 1/4 of the amount which is already 1/4 of the recommended amount and not doing the math, others even arguing that rainwater in nature when measured doesn't contain a very high ppm so orchids living in trees do not need a high ppm count. This is firstly flawed logic mainly because they have never tried the way palmer recommends to fertilize. In nature orchids roots can fully saturate themselves to store water for the rest of the day. Like a cow would chew the grass it ate for the rest of the day. In nature it is thus not important to measure the ppm of the runoff in a big rain shower, it is important to only measure the runoff in the first minute after a day of debris and animal droppings accummulating. When the first rain hits a dried out free or rockcliff the first minute is when all that debris, dirt and nutrients are flushed away before the water contains as little ppm as rain water. But in that first minute the water will be loaded with all the nutrients and high ppm. Mainly the proof is in the pudding and once you have seen the results you wouldn't go back anymore so it's just a step every orchid grower has to take in their journey. The scientific evidence also suggests an EC of roughly 1.0 is best for orchids when grown hydroponically. This is quite easy to measure with a ppm meter. But far more imporant than that which I could not wrap my head around for ages to start with is that you grow really high light fast growing plants and vegetables etc with an EC of 1.2 hydroponically. In soil it's more but in hydropnics what the scientific papers were suggesting compared to other hydropnic plants which anyone can research and compare easily - al the evidence is freely available online. With all of that, to find so many people either did not believe the science or were influenced by people with too little experience. We all know how it goes, we buy an orchid, we buy a few more, grow them for a year or two and think we are experts. Anyway I am digressing, to find that orchids are a little lower feeders all in all..... if one compares apples for oranges and all things considered, that they are in fact not that high light plants in some cases, they are in fact, in my opinion compared to their rate of growth and all factors considered quite high feeders. I fertilize my vanda falcata as high a concentration as my huge vanda's. Now that is not the same amount, that is the same concentration, ie one that won't be too strong to burn roots. But they both get the same and that is a concept so many get wrong growing vanda falcatas saying ohh they are only small so they need 1/4 of the 1/4 of the 1/4 I was already feeing of the recommended amount. Anyway if you are still reading by this point, great, on to my next observations. Otherwise I will just ramble on in my quest to observe. Mounting. Yes it works great for you outdoor growers and you always argue the reason it works great is that the roots can't rot and the wet and dry cycles and that they are epyphitic and grow on trees and thus this is replicating that best. And none of those are not true but honestly I feel like you have missed the biggest reason in my opinion. One that everyone misses. It has to do with what I call gods showers. You know why indoor growers repot so much and flush so often? It's because in pots the amount of microscopic bugs that thrive that we import on our outdoor grown orchids become out of control if we don't. Outdoors the easiest way to deal with this problem is just to mount an orchid. It provides the most inhospitable conditions for bugs and thus if the orchid thrives faster than the bugs living on them then the orchid thrives. If the bugs get to thrive because they have more hiding spots, a higher humidity, shade, constant tempertures with no extreme fluctuations, then the orchid will suffer in turn. Bugs also hate UV rays from the sun, indoors we have no natural predators, we have no strong sunlight. But most importantly we do not have any of gods showers. And by that I simply mean rain of course. Rain naturally washes out and keeps any bugs living on orchids at bay naturally without the grower ever even noticing that they are there because they never can become too much of a pest to cause the orchid problems.Indoors growers often end up scratching their heads not understanding why all their roots will have rotted away in their pots despite adequate drainage but mounting miraculously somehow works to save the orchid. Not because mounting meant the bugs had a much more hostile environment or that they were being flushed daily, nope it will have been root rot and because they like to live on trees. Anyway those are my thoughts. I know a lot to digest, but you said it yourself, people get growing orchids wrong all the time and I complately agree. It is far more likely to get it wrong than right. What is discussed on orchid growing forums is rubbish by and large. Hard to thus figure out what is right. Don't get me started on what actually causes phals to flower. I'd blow your mind.. So I will leave it at that for today.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

@@tomfurmby88 wow. Thank you for all that. I really learned a lot.

[@lynnvarner5383]

can you tell me? Now I NEED TO KNOW how to get my phals to flower.

[@tomfurmby88]

@@lynnvarner5383 the answer you are seeking cannot be found in an online comment. Literally, no matter how many you read, that will most likely not be what you are missing to get your phals to flower. Many times guides might even recomend providing phals a cooling period, this doesn't work, yet despite this practically everyone says it. So anything else they say is unliklely to help you out much either. The best thing is avoid theories, they are not important and when it comes to orchids wrong anyway. You just have to provide good conditions like light, well raining media, the right temperatures and regular waterings. Keep any bugs away. This is tough since many times I've had bugs kill plants and I hadn't even noticed bugs were even there, they hide in plain sight sometimes. In theory it's all easy. In practice the crown can rot, roots can rot, leaves can go yellow, and so on. A comment won't help much. It's from experience, past mistakes, perseverance, research, that's how we all improve our orchid skill. Not by spreading myths that orchids need to be chilled or that they like to be potbound.

[@Ellie-wh6mi]

Most of my orchids are on trees or under trees, and receive rain, debris, bird droppings. Glad to hear that growing them like this is fine.

[@GracesFavorites]

It's correct for my cattleyas to be yellow! You just made my day.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Thank you for sharing that! It makes me so happy to know my video could brighten your day and help you appreciate your beautiful flowers even more!

[@navneetrastogi8629]

Thanks a lot Dave for sharing your experience 🎉

[@SangeethaGiridharan-h4y]

Great video. Lots of great info. Thank you !

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Awesome!

[@Ellie-wh6mi]

Thanks for all the tips, Dave. I'm going to try the fertilizing routine that you recommend. I'd love my orchids to look like yours. They are beautiful.👍👍

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Please do!

[@jaiaceae]

Your video is very inspiring and informative. I’m always fascinated by other grower’s orchid space and how growing in your part of the world differs from mine in Australia. Keep it up as we all share and learn together 😅

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

I really appreciate your comment! It's wonderful to connect with fellow orchid enthusiasts and share our unique growing journeys. Let’s keep the inspiration flowing!

[@SharmuneJeffers]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Thank you

[@sjereos7170]

I love dendrobiums!! 😍 And I'm starting to learn about catltleyas. This is super informative and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Great!

[@emiliareataza3721]

Nice orchids garden...❤😅😊

[@zenjoyablespirit2467]

Krull-smith, Seattle orchids, and orchids by hausermann are my main favorites. Actually Seattle orchids is my favorite 👍

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Great choices! Seattle Orchids really has a unique charm that stands out.

[@robinshelton6490]

Hi Dave, I am always looking out for one of your videos. They are very informative. I have been growing for four years and have a little over 400 orchids. Like you mine are in a pool cage. I am glad to hear about the fertilizer because I was thinking too, weekly weakly is silly. Thank you and keep up with the videos.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Send me a video of your collection! Please!

[@karlaperez3035]

I'm in Florida, and a few of my cattleyas have scales. Someone recommended using Orthene, and it's working.

[@harrymyhero]

I LOVE ❤️ my Phals! I cannot grow those beautiful vandas in my little plant room. I bought some bag babies and that is how I got 3 other varieties. My phals are beautiful when I have 2 spikes full of flowers.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@hannahespy6234]

I love Palmers too. Very fortunate to live in this area

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Best Place of Earth

[@shahriza7403]

Hello from malaysia,neighbour of Thailand,like ur beautiful orchird alot☑️

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

My mother-in-law is from Thailand!

[@lynnvarner5383]

Dave, you have a beautiful set-up. LOL, waiting for you to fill in the pool so you have more space!

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Working on it!

[@jjj32801]

Great advice, especially the need for light if you want blooms. BTW did you notice how the two Hurricanes, Helene and Milton, put stress on orchids causing them to send out flower spikes.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

I didn't

[@fransanemachado1100]

Thanks you ❤❤❤

[@PC-zg3eo]

33:47 Are you referring to Anthracnose? Great video! Keep them coming!

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

That's it! Thank you!

[@DeTODOunpoco-os6em]

Love it!!!! 😂😂😂😂

[@Alyona.C.]

Dave, after seeing your gorgeous cataseums, I think you need to make one video of just them. I am personally new to cataseums, so if you share where did you get yours and your care for them, that would be nice !!

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Great idea!

[@RaufRizana]

Wow nice

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Hope you learned something

[@newmanmansell760]

Hi Dave😌🙌I enjoyed watching and had a few laughs too😅Oh boy, pests are a nightmare. I can't see many either Dave because I need glasses to even see any😂

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

At age 45 I suddenly couldn't see anymore

[@epenesajennings4725]

It rains constantly where I am. In the tropics. I have Phals. I have them mounted on coconut husk under my green house. They survive well, and flower well. The roots have established well into the husks. The phals in the pots must be monitored. They have a different media too. Bark. No spaghnum moss.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Thank you for sharing your experience! It's always inspiring to hear how others successfully care for their Phals. Your tips on the different media are really helpful!

[@zenjoyablespirit2467]

I ordered some physan from Amazon. Not only did it take a week to be “delivered “ but after it said it was delivered it’s nowhere to be found 😳😤 I have pretty good neighbors so I really don’t think any of them would keep my package if it was accidentally was delivered at their place 🤷‍♀️

[@LizE2654]

Very helpful. I would tell you that not all Home Depots and Lowe’s sell orchids. Maybe a few phals but nothing else. I’m in TX and I haven’t seen one bag baby.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Thanks for the insight! It's always good to know what to expect when shopping for orchids at those stores.

[@cherylpenn4509]

When I buy an orchid, very often I lose them if I dont repot, as the grower leaves their sphagnum moss plug in which rots the roots. I can get crazy each time this happens.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

true. Depends of the grower and genus.

[@parvathitiruviluamala9870]

How do orchids that hang on the trees, get fertilized in Nature ? Where do they get there Ca and Mg from ?

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

Great question! Orchids that hang on trees often rely on the wind and pollinators like bees and butterflies for fertilization. As for calcium and magnesium, they can absorb these nutrients from rainwater and organic matter that accumulates in their host trees. You can buy "cal mag" at most stores.

[@elainemckelvey1753]

I am enjoying your videos. Have decided to fertilize by fertigation. I have a Dosatron and am wondering what concentration to use with the better gro fertilizer.

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

I would go online and buy "Palmer Orchids" fertiziler. It is worth every penny. I try to keep the water at 150 ppm but that is with reverse osmosis water.

[@Nclk619]

Amen I don't get these influencers... lol

[@leonilamontgomery9464]

Do you sell?

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

@@leonilamontgomery9464 no 😢

[@norisdagostino155]

Buy $1000 orchid haul, you’ll be happy 😆 😂

[@DavesOrchidOasis]

It always makes MY day