How often should I water my orchid?
Over watering is one of the most common errors beginning orchidists make. Due to their ephiphtic origins, most orchids like to dry out distinctly between waterings. For most potted orchids, this drying is going to require watering no more frequently than once a week. Some varieties, such as Dendrobiums, need to be quite dry between waterings and require water no more frequently than every 10 days. When in doubt, underwater rather than overwater.

How can I find out more about orchids?
Your local orchid society is an invaluable resource for the orchid grower. There you can meet like-minded people, people with more growing experience than yourself, people with experience of other types of orchids, and people who know about other facets of orchid culture. You can hear speakers on a variety of topics, see plants on the show table that you may never have seen before, and can share in the fun by showing off your blooming plants. You can learn about orchid shows, and help to stage one, or put in a display. There are many benefits of membership in a local society. Join and support your local orchid society!

How can Hoosier Orchid Company help me?
We at Hoosier Orchid Company also want to be of assistance. We have grown most of the plants in our catalog for a number of years, and can offer cultural advice or further descriptions on all of them. Our President, William Rhodehamel, specializes in Pleurothallids, Angraecoids, and many other species. Erich Michel, our Operations Manager, loves Stanhopeas, Gongoras, Mormodes, and all their kin, as well as terrestrial genera, especially the South African and Australian tuberous orchids. Please do not hesitate to contact any of us with any cultural question. We also offer talks for orchid societies. We currently have more than fifteen talks prepared, and would be pleased to speak to your society. Contact us for more information. We want to help!

How do I mount an orchid?
Many orchids will grow well when mounted! Mounted orchids are easy to care for, and have a more natural display than plants in pots. In fact some, such as Aerangis and Encyclia species, grow better mounted than in a pot. There are many types of mounts that can be used. Cork and tree fern slabs are the most common, though any well-seasoned hardwood will do. Many smaller, ``twig epiphytes'' do well on branches of blueberry, lilac, or grapevine. To mount a plant, center it on the mount (allowing for future growth) and simply tie the orchid gently but firmly to the mount. They can be tied with phone wire, fishing line, or even strips of nylon stockings. Adding some sphagnum or osmunda under and around the roots will help to conserve moisture. Mounted plants will dry out more quickly, so try to maintain adequate humidity, and check on watering more often.

How do I repot an orchid?
As a good general rule always remember Orchids resent root disturbance. With this rule in mind only repot plants when they absolutely need it. There are two obvious times an orchid needs to be repotted; when the potting mix has deteriorated and is moldy or decayed, and when the plant has grown to the edge or over the edge of the pot. Always try to do your repotting when the plant is showing signs of active growth. This is usually in the spring (for winter resting types), but some groups of monopodial Orchids (such as Phalaenopsis) will be in active growth throughout the year. If you live in the North it is still best to wait until the longer day-length of Spring. Orchids prefer small pots. Pick the appropriate pot size by the root mass and not the leafy green top growth. Orchids are notorious for showing good leaf growth on top while most of the roots in the pot are rotted and dying. Many sympodial (Cattleya, Dendrobium, etc.) groups prefer clay pots to accommodate a dry winter rest period, while most monopodial and thin leaf types would do better growing in plastic pots. We use a Sequoia Bark mix with perlite and charcoal for the majority of our plants. We use a fine grade of bark for seedlings and plants with delicate roots and a coarser grade for larger thicker rooted species. Remember repotting a plant is stressful, sometimes for you, but always for the plant. After repotting keep the plants shady, dry between watering at the roots, and humid, for a few weeks to initiate new root growth. When new growth is noticed start watering with a dilute fertilizer solution and gradually move the plants back to their original growing location.