These articles are an accumulation of the information found, knowledge learned, understandings and suppositions gained in 50+ years of orchid growing. Orchid societies may use them at no charge, as long as appropriate credit is given.
- Basic Orchid Culture
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Basic Culture
- Orchids: The “Goldilocks” of the Plant World
- Beginners Advice
- Be Faithful to Your Roots
- In-Home Orchid Culture
- Outdoor Orchid Growing
- Are You Really Doing That?
- Getting the Most from Your Plants
- Support the Reserves!
- Getting New Plants
- Chilling Phalaenopsis
- Making Plants Bloom
- Multiply Your Plants
- Interpreting Orchid Culture Advice
- AOS Culture Guides by Genus
- Return to General Menu
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Growing Conditions
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Plant Nutrition
- Fertilizers & Feeding
- Primer on Plant Nutrition
- Fertilizer Basics
- “Bloom Booster” Fertilizers
- How Important is Fertilizer?
- Slow Release Fertilizer
- Orchids and pH
- pH & Nutrient Availability
- How Much Do I Feed My Orchids?
- K-Lite Orchid / Epiphyte Fertilizer
- The Origin of K-Lite Fertilizer
- It’s Time for Food!
- Must I Supplement Calcium & Magnesium?
- Magnesium Supplementation
- Epsom Salts and Electrical Conductivity (EC)
- Do-It-Yourself K-Lite
- “K-Lite Knock-Off” Calculator
- AOS “What do Orchids Eat” Article
- Fertilizer Additives
- “Magic” Additives
- Growth Stimulants
- Comparing Seaweed Extracts
- Kelpak Premium Biostimulant
- How Does Kelpak Work?
- Why Should I Use Kelpak?
- Why Do I Push Kelpak?
- Using Kelpak Wisely
- KelpMax = Kelpak
- Multiply Your Plants
- KelpMax and Branching
- Plant Growth Stimulants IPA 3Q2014
- Issues with Root Growth Stimulants
- What do Plant Probiotics Do?
- Comparing Plant Probiotics
- Measurement, Handling, & Application
- How to Feed Your Plants
- Feeding by Mass
- Plant Feeding Regimen
- Fertilizer PPM Calculator
- The Ideal Fertilizer Concentration
- Nitrogen Management Calculator
- Simplified Fertilizer Dosing Guide
- Fertilizer Use by Brand
- Slow Release Fertilizer
- Simple Fertilizer Mixing Calculator
- Measuring Powders & Liquids
- Dealing with Fertilizer Powders
- Making a Fertilizer Concentrate
- Simple Fertilizer Dispenser
- Using a Siphon Proportioner
- Selecting and Using a Metering Pump
- Slow-Release Fertilizer Use Calculator
- Do Not Trust Your TDS Meter
- TDS & EC
- Electrical Conductivity Meters
- Simple TDS Meter Calibration
- A Regimen for Growing Excellent Plants
- The Benefit of the “First Rays Regimen”
- Return to General Menu
- Fertilizers & Feeding
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Watering
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Potting, Mounting, & Displaying
- How Roots Grow
- Pot-Bound Orchids
- Dealing with Aerial Roots
- Transplant “Adaptation”
- Avoiding Repotting Woes
- Potting Media
- How to Pot Up Plants
- Choosing Potting Media
- Sphagnum Moss – Friend or Foe?
- Rock Wool Potting Medium
- Preparing Media for Use
- Particle Packing
- Air Management
- Keeping the Potting Medium Airy
- Water Holding Capacity of Potting Media
- Mineral Buildup in Potting Media
- Presoaking Inert Media
- Mineral Buildup in Inorganic Media
- Containers
- Other Considerations
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Pests & Ailments
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Semi-Hydroponics
- General Semi-Hydro Concepts
- Semi-Hydroponics™ Basics
- The “Dry Line”
- Flooding versus Topping Up
- Transplant “Adaptation”
- Roots & Culture (Yes, they’re connected)
- “I Can’t Grow in Semi-Hydro!”
- Objections to Semi-Hydro Culture
- Stretch Your Growing Conditions
- Water-Saving, Simple Hydroponics Setup
- An Unsolicited Testimonial
- “No Longer A Killer” AOS Article by Charles Rhodes
- Detailed Information
- Return to General Menu
- General Semi-Hydro Concepts
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Miscellaneous
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- Growing Conditions
- Plant Nutrition
- Water & Irrigation
- Potting, Mounting, & Displaying
- Pests & Ailments
- Semi-Hydroponics
- Miscellaneous Information