Question: Does anyone know any tips for growing orchids....?

Answer #1
In your growing zone, orchids can only be frown indoors. You will need special soil, warm location, special lighting and moist climate almost continually. While growing orchids used to be quite difficult, with the new varieties now on the market, it is becoming easier. However, your best bet is to go to the library and get a good book on the subject. they you have maximized you chances of growing them/.
- answered by The Parthian

Answer #2
Orchids for the most part come from tropical climates, warm humid, with much light, not sun. Any descent garden center will have the basic extract. You might be better off just buying a plant grown by a pro and ask lots of questions. You will get better answers if you do lots of research beforehand. Catleias are some of the most commonly found. There are wild orchids that grow in Iowa and other cold climates but they are much rarer and hard to find. they do not produce the exuberant smells or the exotic and sensous looks.All orchids you buy here want the tropic. Nothing bellow 50 F. Any thing lower then that is instant demise.I hope this helps.
- answered by mauroh

Answer #3
Very few out door types Lady slippers are the only ones I know of for our climate, but I grow several Moth (phalinopsis (sp)) orchids that bloom year after year on my south window sill. they are the ones that I have found do best, just water and mist them, the other types (thousands) require different conditions and I have yet to get to the point I can grow them (I do have a Vanilla orchid that is growing well but has never flowered) Read up on them and give it a try, they are wonderful. Just scored 4 plants at Lowes for three bucks apiece because they had lost the flowers...I can wait a year for the blooms at that price, retail they were in excess of $60.00!!! I won! and my plants always show out this time of year!
- answered by Michael S

Answer #4
You've got some good suggestions in other answers, there are also orchid clubs and societies, you could probably find one not far from you by doing general web searches. A local orchid club might be the best place to get recommendations for growing in your area.Orchids like the same sorts of temperatures that humans do, with more humidity. I have mini phaelenopsis that grow in my north windows (my south windows get too hot and too much sun) and bloom every year, in fact, they are all blooming now.If you really want something for outdoors, I suggest going to your local garden center, find someone knowledgable and ask what will give you the 'look' of orchids but will survive outside in your climate.Good luck!
- answered by heart o' gold

Answer #5
A LOT of very good answers, references and advice her! I have one other suggestion: A mini greenhouse in your basement or garage could be a great project and you'd learn an awful lot! Then, when the temps. in your area are above 60 degrees, you could take your orchids out and hang them from trees that will shade them, but allow them to absorb sunlight and moisture from te air. They will only require misting, unless it's blooming time....
- answered by Patricia D

Answer #6
Pot them in course river sand mixed with fine pine bark.
- answered by Kristie L

Answer #7
There's tons of great advice for you here, wow! I know my aunt, who lives in Ottawa, Canada (cold? Yeah) put ground orchids in last summer- they're supposed to be cold tolerant. I know that here in Florida, Ground Orchids are sold as the genus Spathoglottis, so maybe you could look into that for "planting" orchids outside. But also check out Orchidweb.com- you'll learn a lot, along with your local orchid clubs and even the county co-op, they'll have orchid shows too. Good luck; once you're bitten by the orchid bug you'll never look back!!
- answered by karmaslave22