Orchids are one of the easiest families of plants to grow.  If you follow a few basic rules, you can become successful in a very rewarding hobby.

Lighting and Shade

Ideal lighting for maximum growth is a full day of unobstructed sunlight (away from buildings or tall tress) with a shading of about 60-65%.  This can be accomplished with shade cloth, wooden lath, Phylon or Dyna-glass (similar to fiberglass), or glass.  Some orchid growers may use different combinations of both.  Certain species may require more or less shade.  Seedlings may also benefit from more shade.

When growing orchids indoors or on a lanai, it is really important to maximize the length of time the orchids receive light.  If the light intensity is strong then it still needs to be shaded the proper amount.  Remember, orchids need sunlight to photosynthesize.

Temperature and Humidity

In Hawaii we are fortunate to have near ideal temperatures and humidity for most tropical orchids (low 60's to upper 80's in temperatures and 60 to 90% humidity).  We do need to be aware of heat stress in the summer months especially if you are in the leeward areas.  One way to avoid heat stress is to water your orchids in the morning.  The evaporation will cool the orchids and increase the humidity.  In hot and dry climates, you can place your orchids on evaporation trays (trays filled with gravel and water) and this will accomplish the same thing.  Good air circulation is also very important in keeping the orchids cool.

Watering

Watering is usually taken for granted and often misunderstood.  Most orchids are killed by over watering or by fungal and bacterial infections associated with over-watering.  Orchid roots need air as much as they need water.  Allow the media to dry slightly, before watering again.  When it is time to water, it should be done thoroughly, allowing water to flush through the pot's drainage holes.  This removes accumulated salts from the media.  Salt damage to roots can really weaken and even kill an orchid.  The sign of salt build-up is the white residue around the rim and drainage holes of the pot.  If you see this, repot the orchid and discard the pot.
Watering Rule - When in doubt don't water.  After all when was the last time you killed an orchid by under-watering!

Air Circulation

​Orchids do not like stagnant air.  Good air circulation will reduce fungal and insect problems.  Too accomplish this, stake up all orchids, keeping larger plants from covering smaller plants, and try not to overcrowd them.  Keep areas around and below your growing benches plant and weed free.

Proper Cultural Practices and Pesticide Use

​Practicing good culture will reduce your need for pesticides.
1)  Learn to identify physiological disorders which are caused by poor culture.  Some examples of this are; sunburn; over or under watering; leaf-tip dieback; salt or wind damage and temperature stress.  Spraying of chemicals will not help, but may harm the orchids more.

2)  Diseases in orchids:  For a disease to occur the pathogen must be present in an infectious stage and come into contact with the host plant.  The environmental conditions must favor the infection and the plant must be susceptible.  So our goal is to break the cycle of infection.  The most common diseases of orchids are Bacteria, fungus and viruses.  Here are a few ways to control them.
a)​​​​  Remove all dead and diseased plant materials.  They are a major source of infection.
      Sanitation is the best defense against diseases.
b)  Control weeds and pests in and around your growing area.  Weeds and other plants
​      in the collection often harbor insects that can transmit a disease.
c)  Maintain good air circulation.  Do not overcrowd your orchids.
d)  Avoid damaging the orchids, as it provides an entry for disease.
e)  Maintain proper sanitation when handling, sterilize potting utensils.
f)  Quarantine new orchids and isolate diseased ones.
3)  Managing Insects:  It is very important that you watch your orchids carefully and take care of problems as they occur.  Most insect problems occur in the warm summer months and best time to spot problems is while you are watering.  If you stay on top of things, spot spraying of pesticides may be all that is needed to rectify the problem.  When using pesticides, always wear protective clothing and always follow label directions.  See Insect Control Chart.

4)  If protective clothing is not available, there are many ready to use 'soap' products on the market today that are safer for the applicator and environment.  See Home Remedy Chart.

Fertilizing
1)  Water Soluble Types:  Apply at a 1/2 rate, twice per month.
a)  20-20-20 balance type, good for all orchids including seedlings.
b)  15-30-15 high phosphorous type, good for mature orchids.
2)

To be continued.......