Author: odomsprod

For hundreds of years, people all over the world have enjoyed the fine art of orchid care. Caring for orchids, some of the most intricately beautiful and extraordinary plants known, is a highly rewarding venture. Many people think that orchid care is something they could never attempt. Not so! Orchid care doesn’t require that you have a special green thumb. All you need is a little commitment and the right attitude. We like to explain orchid care in six basic steps, which can be generally applied to nearly all species, including Cattleya Orchids, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Lady Slippers, and more!

Bright Light
Orchids need bright filtered light, but should be kept out of direct sunlight. Find a place in your home where there’s plenty of sunshine, particularly early morning and late afternoon but nothing too intense.

Air Movement
Orchids don’t do well in a stale air environment. Make sure air is circulating around the plant. Placing your orchid in a well-trafficked room of the house should do the trick! Otherwise, a small oscillating fan or ceiling fan on low will work.

Regular Watering
This is the big one when it comes to orchid care! Water only once or twice a week, and make sure it drains. You want the growing medium damp – not swimming in water! The orchid should dry out most of the way before watering again.

Fertilizer
Orchids need fertilizer as they grow. Generally a balanced all-purpose plant food twice a month will suffice. Ask us about fertilizer recommendations if you don’t have a favorite.

Humidity
Orchids don’t do well in dry climates. If you live in a drier region (or have dry air in the house) we recommend a humidifier.

Temperature
Lastly, keep your orchid between 65 ºF and 85 ºF during the day, allowing the temperature to drop a little at night.

Here at Odom’s, it’s hard for us to choose a single orchid as our favorite. However, we are big fans of Lady Slippers. These fine orchids have a rich history and are incredibly diverse. Caring for Lady Slippers isn’t terribly difficult. Whether you choose to raise just one or two orchids or several dozen, the Lady Slipper is a good choice to have in your home.

Interesting Facts About Lady Slippers

Lady Slippers have two fertile anthers (at the tip of the stamen). Lady Slippers are one of the few orchids to have this unique feature. They are incredibly durable plants (though they still require plenty of dedicated care!).

Lady Slippers can be found in North America and parts of Europe. Of course, it’s not very likely that you’re going to find a perfect Lady Slipper out in the wild! That’s why we sell orchids by mail through our orchid website.

Lady Slippers are the State Flower of Minnesota.

Additionally, Lady Slippers have been officially designated as the Provincial Flower of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

In the United States, some people refer to Lady Slippers as “moccasins” because they resemble the shoe in their design.

Caring for Lady Slippers Orchids

Caring for Lady Slippers isn’t terribly difficult. However, knowing a few things about orchid care can greatly increase the chance that your Lady Slippers will thrive for years to come. Here are a few of our top Lady Slippers and orchid care tips:

Lady Slippers require moderate to bright light, but should be kept out of direct sun.

Like most orchids, Lady Slippers need moist media. Be careful not to over-water. This is one of the most common mistakes made by new orchid owners.

Orchids also require humidity. Here in Florida, humidity is easy to maintain. However, when we ship orchids to other regions of the country, maintaining humidity can be a bit more challenging. Keep your Lady Slippers moist by maintaining 50-60% humidity. If you’re not in a humid climate, an easy way to do this is by setting the potted plant on top of wet gravel or pebbles.

Lastly, make sure you care for your orchid by using orchid fertilizer.

Have questions about caring for Lady Slippers? Other questions about buying orchids for sale online? If so, we’d love to answer your questions. Give us a call today!

More flowers are sold on Valentine’s Day than on any other day of the year. Unfortunately, more flowers also die about 6-10 days after Valentine’s than during any other time of the year. Instead of buying your sweetheart the traditional bouquet of roses on Valentine’s, why not buy something that will last?

We have hundreds of orchids for sale online and they are perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts. Many of our orchids cost much less than the price you would pay for a dozen roses, but the flowers will outlast roses by weeks or even months. The plant itself will grow and reflower for years to come.

Some of our favorite Valentine’s orchids are large Cattleyas! With a flower like that, your special someone is sure to be stunned and reminded of your love every day! Their fragrance is delightful!

Valentine’s will be here soon. Be sure to start shopping now so that you’ll have your orchid in time!

Customers in northern/mountainous/cold areas of the country should use caution when purchasing orchids by mail in February. If temperatures in your area (or between you and us, in Florida) are near freezing, then we highly recommend shipping your orchid plant by Express (Air) shipping.

The Oncidium orchid is a beautiful orchid that is available in roughly 330 different species. Here at Odom’s, this is one of our favorite orchids for sale. If you’re a fan of Oncidium orchids, be sure to check out the various species and hybrids we carry on our orchid website. If you’re looking for advice on orchid care, then you’re in the right place. Learn more below about how to care for your Oncidium orchids.

A Brief History of the Oncidium Orchid

The Oncidium orchid was named in 1800 by Olof Swartz. If you’re interested in language, then you’ll enjoy learning how the Oncidium got its name. The name comes from the Greek word “onkos,” which means “swelling.” It’s a perfect name for this beautiful orchid, which really does seem to swell out of the stem!

Oncidium appear in the wild in Mexico, the Caribbean, and portions of South America and South Florida. Here in Fort Pierce, it’s too cool in winter for Oncidium to grow without proper care. However, our greenhouses are equipped to provide any orchids in Florida with the care that they need.

Oncidium orchids come in many different colors and variations. Most Oncidium orchids, however, have a golden, yellow, or orange hue to them.

Oncidium Orchid Care 101

Buying an Oncidium orchid online? Congratulations! We’re sure you’ll enjoy any orchid you receive from Odom’s – especially an Oncidium! Here are some tips you need to know in order for your Oncidium to flourish for many years to come:

Oncidium orchids don’t require much special attention with regard to temperature. During the day, keep your orchid slightly above room temperature (75 – 85º F). During the evening, you can let that temperature drop to 60 – 55º F range.

Mild, filtered light tends to be best for the Oncidium. Finding the right lighting for this type of orchid will require a little trial and error. If the leaves are dark green, the orchid isn’t getting enough light. Reddish green? Probably too much light. If you have the right amount of light, the Oncidium leaves should be medium to light green.

Allow the Oncidium medium to become slightly dry between waterings, then water thoroughly until water runs from the drainholes.