Orchid Pests A Post On Scales

Scales are a common pest among orchids, and there are two different types with over 27 species. These nasty creatures are mostly immobile and park themselves on leaves, stocks, pseudo bulbs, rhizomes, and sheaths. Scales will sit and suck sap and juices from plants and particularly love orchids. The most visible part of an infestation is a large gathering of male scales which appear a white cottony substance on the plant.

'Burgundy Bliss' Ocidium Orchid For Valentines Day!

My lovely fiance got me a beautiful red orchid for Valentines Day! This beauty stumped me a little at first as to what spices it is. I looked at its thick pseudo bulbs and thought Ociduim and then looked up pictures of that species. Well, the pseudo bulbs were right but the flowers were way off the mark. So then I pulled out the name tag from the pot and it claimed to be an Oporta, which was a species I'd never heard of before!

Watering Orchids Without Ice Cubes

You've heard of the "just add ice" orchids and I even made a post on watering with ice cubes; however, this probably isn't the best way to water your orchids. It is however, a good way to start out and get to know the needs of your orchid. This is also a very good way to prevent from over-watering your orchid if you tend to do so, but let me present another option that your orchid will also thrive on.

DIY Orchid Pot

During my online adventures of staring at orchids I noticed quite a few are planted in basket-type pots. Since good orchid pots have holes for ventilation I see the practicality of baskets, they also look pretty neat. So I decided to try my hand at making one. I ventured out of the sewing room for this project and into the hardware store.