ORCHIDS   


Researched by Maggi B.
2007-08

Introduction

This report is about orchids.  Orchids are beautiful flowers.  It is truly amazing that most people do not know about orchids.  There are so many different types of orchids, but I will only name several in this report.  Some orchids even have nicknames.  Feeding and watering an orchid is very important. There are pests to orchids.  Habitat would where orchids live.  You will also learn about different orchid species and when they bloom and where they live.

Feeding and Watering an Orchid Correctly

Do you know how to water an orchid?  There are two ways to water an orchid, you can either 1.   use a sprayer, or 2. Immerse the orchid in a basin of  water.  It is more efficient to use a sprayer.  A sprayer gives you better supply of moisture to the roots.  If you want to immerse your orchid in a basin of water, you soak the orchid for up to thirty minutes; this process keeps moisture in for a longer period of time.  In the winter, you should water your orchid about once every two weeks.  In the summer you should water your orchid about every day. Orchids need humidity of 70%-85% (considerably high).

To feed a orchid, you mix half-strength fertilizer with water. You should feed your orchid its food once every two or three weeks.  Only water an orchid when it is dry.  It is preferred that you water with rainwater. Unfiltered water leaves unsightly marks on the leaves.  Orchids are not usually watered at the base; they are usually watered from the top.  Do not water an orchid in its new plant growth and buds.  This can prevent the plant from drying properly.  In warmer times of the year use watering system in the mornings only.   This helps orchids dry out overnight.


Habitat

Orchids can be grown with other orchids, bananas, air plants, carnivorous plants, dwarf peaches, and dwarf pears. Orchids can also be grown with vegetables, bedding plants seedlings, fibrous- rooted begonias, ferns, passionflower, tomatoes, and pelargonium. Epiphytic orchids don’t receive a lot of nutrients in their natural environment. Viruses, black spot, and brown spot are diseases to the orchid species.  Very few orchids are virus-free.  Orchids can be grown in a pot or in the ground.
Pests

Red spider mites, aphid’s, snails, slugs, scale, mealy bugs, woodlice, millepedes and vine weevils are all pests to orchids.

Orchid Species and Where They Live

Orchids live in various places. Paphiopedilum concolor lives in Burma, Thailand to southern Vietnam.  Jamaica is the home to   oncidium triquetrous.  Trichocenturm tigrinum lives in Ecuador.  Suavis lives from Costa Rica to Columbia.  Promenade staplioides lives in Brazil.  Zygopetalum intermedium lives in Brazil and Peru. The reason different orchids live in different places is because different orchids live in different temparatures. 

Blooming

In every season there is always an orchid that blooms in that season.  For instance, trichocentrum tigrinum blooms in summer and autumn.  Trichopillia suavis blooms in spring.  Zygopetalum intermedium blooms in fall and winter.  Angraecum eburneum blooms in late fall and in winter.  Angreacum sesquipedale blooms in winter.

Conclusion

As you can see, orchids are lovely flowers that are exceptionally unique.  Now you know that you must water an orchid carefully. Orchids can be very beautiful when they bloom.  Last, all orchids have different habitats because they need to live in different tempetures.  Orchids are truly unique.

Who I interviewed and what I learned

I interviewed Jeff Kozma and I learned several facts about orchids. I learned that moose actually eat orchids. They eat the lady slippers which he thinks moose it these type of orchids because they are beautiful and probably taste sweet.
 

My product

My products are a buzzer board and I am bringing an orchid.  My buzzer board has 11 answers and 11 questions.  It is a purple board with lilac borders.  The orchid I am bringing I have been raising myself for about 4 months to inform people of how to raise an orchid correctly by my own experiences and explain how hard it is to raise an orchid.

Who Helped Me with My Project

I would like to thank the following people: my mom for giving me the topic and Jeff Kozma for letting me interview him.

Bibliography

Jeff kozma /interview

Leann jones/interview

Orchids.<www.en.wikipedia.org/orchids>

Peter Black. Orchid Growing. London: Wellington house, 1980

Tom Gilland. Orchids Are Easy. Lewes, east Sussex, England. Guild of Master Craftsman, 2000.

 


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