Thursday, July 21, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
How to coat Orchids in resin
The first step is to delicately dry the orchid or other flower in silica gel. It must be carefully done so as not to deform the shape of the flower. After a few days buried in the dessicant, the flower is ever so carefully removed and dry brushed to remove any silica dust that might be clinging on.
At this point the Orchid is sealed with a craft glue. Sometimes two layers is required to seal the entire flower. These must be allowed to completely dry, between, and after before proceeding to the next step.
Next, two-part resin is mixed in equal amounts and mixed thoroughly. This is painted on with a small brush and allowed to dry. Many layers are applied to achieve a strong coating. They are stored in a dust free, drying environment, or wiped off between layers.
An Orchid like the one shown can require as many as 20 layers of resin! My wife makes these to order into necklaceses and other jewlery items. Prices start around $60. The waiting list is very short at the moment, but that may change. Email me for details if interested.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Easy Orchid Care
There really is not much difference at all between growing orchids and growing other plants. All plants really need the same care to be healthy and this consists of meeting their basic needs in terms of water, food, warmth, sun and air.
Orchids require these same basics to grow and thrive – it is only the amounts which separate them from other types of plants. The amount needed of each of these elements for growth also separates orchids from one another.
Orchid care begins with providing the right humidity level for the type of orchid you intend to grow. Generally speaking, orchids need between 40% and 70% humidity day after day.
While most plants control water evaporation, orchids cannot, and are constantly in a state of losing water. The only controlling factor is the amount of humidity in the air.
Know how much humidity your orchid is going to require before purchasing it.
If you are growing orchids, you need to supply continuous atmospheric moisture, whether it be by hosing the garden or inside, by spraying the plants, setting them over trays of water or keeping them in a container such as a glass environment where you can control the humidity levels.
Humidity is not a problem in cold weather. You should follow periods of humidity by a time of drying out. This is similar to having morning sun followed by an afternoon shower, and then morning sun once again the next day.
Air is another necessity of orchids.
In nature, orchids often grow up trees because they have excellent air circulation. While all plants pull carbon dioxide from the air, orchids are extremely efficient about it.
Good ventilation is essential to growing healthy orchids indoors. A ceiling fan is good for air circulation. Even indoor orchids need fresh clean air inside so open a window whenever possible. If it’s cold outside, arrange it so the air is warmed before it hits the plants. For example, open the window from the top and not the bottom.
Place your orchids where they will get the most sunlight they can without suffering any ill effects, such as sunburn.
Orchids need lots of light–around ten hours per day. This light should not be at full intensity at all times so start them out in the sun and then move them to shadier spots or filter the light through curtains until you achieve the desired effect.
Orchids need to be protected from frost and snow. Many orchids grow naturally where temperatures dip well below freezing. In the Andes, for instance, temperatures in the 20s are not terribly uncommon.
But you must be very attentive to colder temperatures, and orchids that do experience cooler temperatures must remain dry. Cold and wet are not good conditions for growing orchids.
Cooler orchids are those said to need a temperature averaging fifty degrees. Check out temperature charts online or in orchid books for which orchids do best at certain temperatures.
Your orchids need to be fed. That is a step of orchid care not to be ignored. Some growers still argue about what orchids need to be fed and how much. But, especially if you are a beginner, you will want to do everything possible to have healthy orchids.
Begin by using orchid liquid fertilizer, whether it be synthetic or organic. Most orchids today are planted in osmunda, or dead fern roots, which decomposes.
Always check your orchids for yellowish or brownish discolorations which might mean the plants are malnourished. Check out recipes for nutrient fertilizers online.
If you meet these basics of orchid care and culture, you should have no trouble at all being successful at growing orchids. As long as they have the basics of food, air, humidity, protection and light, orchids will respond positively.
Orchids require these same basics to grow and thrive – it is only the amounts which separate them from other types of plants. The amount needed of each of these elements for growth also separates orchids from one another.
Orchid care begins with providing the right humidity level for the type of orchid you intend to grow. Generally speaking, orchids need between 40% and 70% humidity day after day.
While most plants control water evaporation, orchids cannot, and are constantly in a state of losing water. The only controlling factor is the amount of humidity in the air.
Know how much humidity your orchid is going to require before purchasing it.
If you are growing orchids, you need to supply continuous atmospheric moisture, whether it be by hosing the garden or inside, by spraying the plants, setting them over trays of water or keeping them in a container such as a glass environment where you can control the humidity levels.
Humidity is not a problem in cold weather. You should follow periods of humidity by a time of drying out. This is similar to having morning sun followed by an afternoon shower, and then morning sun once again the next day.
Air is another necessity of orchids.
In nature, orchids often grow up trees because they have excellent air circulation. While all plants pull carbon dioxide from the air, orchids are extremely efficient about it.
Good ventilation is essential to growing healthy orchids indoors. A ceiling fan is good for air circulation. Even indoor orchids need fresh clean air inside so open a window whenever possible. If it’s cold outside, arrange it so the air is warmed before it hits the plants. For example, open the window from the top and not the bottom.
Place your orchids where they will get the most sunlight they can without suffering any ill effects, such as sunburn.
Orchids need lots of light–around ten hours per day. This light should not be at full intensity at all times so start them out in the sun and then move them to shadier spots or filter the light through curtains until you achieve the desired effect.
Orchids need to be protected from frost and snow. Many orchids grow naturally where temperatures dip well below freezing. In the Andes, for instance, temperatures in the 20s are not terribly uncommon.
But you must be very attentive to colder temperatures, and orchids that do experience cooler temperatures must remain dry. Cold and wet are not good conditions for growing orchids.
Cooler orchids are those said to need a temperature averaging fifty degrees. Check out temperature charts online or in orchid books for which orchids do best at certain temperatures.
Your orchids need to be fed. That is a step of orchid care not to be ignored. Some growers still argue about what orchids need to be fed and how much. But, especially if you are a beginner, you will want to do everything possible to have healthy orchids.
Begin by using orchid liquid fertilizer, whether it be synthetic or organic. Most orchids today are planted in osmunda, or dead fern roots, which decomposes.
Always check your orchids for yellowish or brownish discolorations which might mean the plants are malnourished. Check out recipes for nutrient fertilizers online.
If you meet these basics of orchid care and culture, you should have no trouble at all being successful at growing orchids. As long as they have the basics of food, air, humidity, protection and light, orchids will respond positively.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Screw Roses, Get her Orchids for Valentine's Day.
Valentine's day is less than a month away. On a normal year, I might be tempted to allow that to wash over me unconsidered, but this year I have flowers for sale!
What are you planning to do with your flower budget? I say Orchids are the new roses. Think about it. Orchids are fresh and eternal, roses are so... played out. Do you think she really wants ANOTHER overpriced, past-its-prime bouquet of cut flowers?
Absolutely not. She wants an interesting, and beautiful flower, that is alive. Something to nurture and care for. Something that will remind her of your love again and again , and the next time that orchid blooms, that is exactly what will happen.
What are you planning to do with your flower budget? I say Orchids are the new roses. Think about it. Orchids are fresh and eternal, roses are so... played out. Do you think she really wants ANOTHER overpriced, past-its-prime bouquet of cut flowers?
Absolutely not. She wants an interesting, and beautiful flower, that is alive. Something to nurture and care for. Something that will remind her of your love again and again , and the next time that orchid blooms, that is exactly what will happen.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Welcoming Reader Contributions
I'd like to invite anyone who is willing to submit a book or Orchid review. If you are the retailer of the product you may submit it to me directly for review. See contact info below.
At this time I am also accepting guest posts for this blog. It's a great way to get a backlink to your own blog, and it helps me fill in some much needed quality content. Win-Win for everyone including my readers.
You can contact me at: myers06 at gmail dot com.
At this time I am also accepting guest posts for this blog. It's a great way to get a backlink to your own blog, and it helps me fill in some much needed quality content. Win-Win for everyone including my readers.
You can contact me at: myers06 at gmail dot com.
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