Young Orchids

For the newbie orchid grower, starting off with younger orchid plants is a great way to learn how to care for them as you watch them grow and blossom. When getting a young orchid plant for the first time, try and find out as much about it as possible. Knowing what species it is is very important, as is the sort of environment it is found in the wild. From here you'll have a better idea what watering, temperature, light and humidity requirements it needs.

Make a list of supplies you may need for your young orchid plant. This should include the correct potting mix and a specialized orchid fertilizer. Keep a plant pesticide and fungicide handy in case your plant suddenly gets attacked by something. Orchids generally need repotting once a year so there is no hurry to get another pot just yet. A water sprayer is handy as it is easier to control the quantity of water you give your plant.

It is essential that you get the potting mix right. Most orchids do not grow in the standard garden soil or garden plant potting mixes. There are species of orchid that prefer a bark potting mix and others that prefer a sand mix. Always leave the young orchid plant in the potting mix that you received it in. Don't repot the plant until it has grown to a size where it has overgrown the existing pot. When you do repot, select a pot size slightly bigger as orchids do not like being transferred to containers that are much larger then the one they are in.

Often young orchid plants are kept in potting media that appears quite dry. This is done on purpose to prevent fungal infections. Orchid roots rot very easily if they are over watered. It is much better to gradually water the plant over time, rather than do a sudden soak if the potting medium is very dry. Because young orchid plants are not yet flowering, they require different light intensities to those needed by mature orchids. If the lighting is too low, the leaves will start to turn a dark green color. Gradually increase the light by changing the plant's position and when the leaves appear a healthy light green color then that should be fine.

A great online Orchid resource site can be found at Orchid Care Learn more about growing orchids at Orchid Growing Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_Wilson

10 Top Orchid Growing Tips - Avoid the Common Mistakes That Others Make!

1. Perhaps one of the best orchid growing tips I can give you is to read and research about the sort of orchid you are thinking of buying before you actually buy it. The reason for this is that there are so many different varieties with so many of them having different requirements. So it's best to ensure that you can provide the right conditions first before committing to buying an orchid.

2. Try and keeping the water for watering your orchids at a similar temperature to the environment the plant is situated in. Tap water is often too cold for them. So think ahead and keep some water already for when you need it. This may well avoid some leaf spots that will only go when the leaf dies.

3. Make sure when you mist an orchid plant that the plant won't get direct sunlight on to the leaves and flowers. This will stop any leaf burn occurring or flower damage.

4. Be very careful when choosing an orchid to buy. Check that the leaves are fresh and don't look stressed. Get up close and make sure there is no evidence of spots and leaf discolouration or bugs for that matter! If the plants are in full flower they may be coming to the end of the blooming period, so perhaps it might be better to find one approaching flowering or you could have to wait some time for flowering to happen again.

5. Providing enough light is one of the most crucial orchid growing tips. The plants need sunlight, although not usually direct sunlight to bloom. So if you have a plant that isn't flowering try putting it in a position where it gets more sunlight.

6. All orchids fall into one of three growing types. There are ones that grow on a host, which is usually another living plant such as a tree maybe. Then we have orchids that grow directly in the ground and lastly those that grow in places like on rocks. It's important to know what type your orchid is so you can recreate its natural environment.

7. If you don't have an area that provides enough light for your orchids then it's very possible to use artificial light. One variety that likes artificial light is Phalaenopsis.

8. Air circulation is a need of most types of orchids. Avoid placing them in drafts though for optimum results.

9. Making sure you understand the watering needed for your variety of orchid is essential. Most orchids don't require much water at all, usually once a week as a very general rule. If the roots are too wet and stood in water the roots will rot and kill the plant. So make sure the drainage is good in the pot to avoid this.

10. Orchid plants in the main need humidity. You can create this by adding a small tray of coarse grit or small pebbles under the main pot. Put in a small amount of water, the plant will then absorb the moisture it needs.

There are hundreds of orchid growing tips, these are some of the more common questions that crop up regularly. You only learn by doing so go out and get yourself a plant, take the time to find out its needs and you won't go far wrong.

Lynne Ivatt is an orchid enthusiast learn the rest of her secrets to becoming an orchid growing expert at orchid growing tips visit http://www.completeorchidcare.com

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Orchid Disease Control - Five Household Remedies

These tips cover five household remedies for the control of orchid diseases.

• For general disease prevention, maintain all your work area clean and disinfected. Chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant - add 1 ounce of household bleach per gallon of water. Mix well and spray the solution directly onto work tables, benches, cutting tools, walkways, and even onto the plants. Bleach will control fungus, bacteria, and algae.
• A paste made of common household glue, such as Elmer's, and ground cinnamon is effective to cover and protect wounds on orchids. The cinnamon protects against fungus and the glue forms a waterpoof barrier. This remedy is a "last resort" for heavily damaged plants that you really want to rescue.
• For preventative maintenance to your orchids' potting media, add a 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide to your fertilizing mix. The hydrogen peroxide attacks root pests and bacteria while providing oxygen to the roots. Your orchids' roots should easily tolerate this low concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
• Some orchid growers have reported that Listerine is very effective for treatment of crown rot. Pour it directly onto the infected area and let stand for 5 minutes, then drain the excess liquid. Repeat three times, three days apart, then evaluate the infection before additional treatments.
• To sterilize used pots, soak in a 10-15% bleach solution and let stand overnight. Of course, you should clean out all media first, and especially remove white root residue (and other organic material) with a scouring pad, as they may contain viruses.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that you are using these tips at your own risk - remedies that work for others may not work in your environment, so you should test the remedies in on a single orchid first. Even though these are homemade or natural remedies, they are still chemicals and toxic (at least to diseases and pests.) Therefore, personal protection is important. Use proper gloves, and eye and skin protection and exercise caution when applying. Never apply any of these remedies in the heat of the day to your orchids as they can cause damage. Do not use on hirsute (hairy) orchids. And do not store left-over mixtures in violation of federal labeling laws which require identification and warning statements on all chemical containers.

Michael Anderson is co-author with Steve Frowine (author of four orchid books including the Orchid title of a well known series) of the web site, UncutOrchids.com. To get a free, 40-part video course on orchid care and the "Orchid of the Day" newsletter, click now on this URL: UncutOrchids.com. Michael lives in the enchanting town of Guanajuato, Mexico, where he also offers Guanajuato apartments to vacationers and visitors.

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Care of Dendrobium Orchids

Dendrobiums

This month I am focusing our attention to the care of Dendrobiums. These are one of the most popular of retail orchid plants. They are a true epiphyte or air plant. There pseudopods can gather and hold water very efficiently. Generally there will be a hybrid phalaenopsis and dendrobium, commonly known as Dtps.

Potting

This needs only to be done every two to three years and it should be with a porous, free draining media. This may be a combination of wood chips, small stone and and pieces of styrofoam peanuts. This will allow the draining of water and fertilizer. Dendrobiums seem to grow best when the pot is smaller than the size of the orchid plant.

Lighting

The dendrobium orchids require about 50% sun or bright light. They will do well in an east or west window as well as a shaded south window.

They also do well under 4 - 40 watt fluorescent lights directly over the plant.

Temperature

These plants need a difference in temperature between the night and day. Preferably this difference should be about 10 - 15 degrees. The night temps they like is 60-65 with days between 80 - 90.

Air circulation is needed and is especially when the temps are above 90 degrees.

Water

Like most orchids Dendrobiums need to be kept moist while actively growing. When it is mature, as are most of orchids-plus-more.com plants they should dry between watering.

Dendrobiums thrive when the humidity is about 50 - 60%. Humidity trays are usually needed while the plant is in the home.

Fertilizer

Use a balance fertilizer like Jack's Classic 20-20-20. Use weakly, weekly. That is, use a solution which is between 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended dosage.

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This site is devoted to these wonderful orchid plants. Did you know they are the second in popularity only to the poinsietta plants? You will find a good deal of information on how easy orchid care really is. They are wonderful to have around your home or for that special gift. Orchid flowers are beautiful and can last for months. Your plant will be appreciated for years and years.

http://www.orchids-plus-more.com

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Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us

Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid Health

Over the past 20 years the orchid supply has become almost limitless. All in all orchid care leaves is becoming more important to all the orchid lovers. The leaves can also give very important information about the orchid plant.

Orchid care leaves can help you to diagnose what is wrong with your plant. I imagine this as one of the best ways to see the early signs of potentially fatal diseases.

Leaves can be yellow, blackened or brown or they may become shriveled. Let's learn more about orchid care and what to do.

Blackened leaves show their effects on the body or the tip of the leaf. If it is on the body of the plant it is usually due to the hot sun causing a leave to burn. Orchid care would tell us that if this may to the case put the plant away from direct sunlight.

If sun burn is not the cause and the size of the spots continue to grow then it may be a bacterial or fungal disease. orchid care leaves suggest to cut off the affected part of the leave and treat it will a fungicide like natriphene.

What about blackened or brown tips of the leave. This could be caused by excessive minerals in your water. This is fairly common in well water. With orchid care you should have your water tested.

It also could be caused by excessive fertilizing, especially cymbidiums or once again a fungal infection. If it seems to become larger you need to cut off the affected and treat the plant with a fungicide.

Leaves may also be mottled or streaked black or brown. They are telling us that this could be from a viral infection. Caring for orchids tells us to determine this special tests are needed and can be provided by your local agriculture experiment station. You will need to send in a leave. As in humans, there is really not much for treating this right now. Orchid care leaves also suggest that you isolate this plant right away.

Yellow leaves are probably the most common ailment we see. Good orchid care would tell us that it just could be a natural phenomenon called old age. If it seems to e happening to the oldest leaves don't worry.

On the other hand it could be from, too much light (most common), not enough nitrogen in the fertilizer or if the medium is primarily bark. Other causes include being subjected to low temps or loss of roots.
Orchid care would suggest to first change the lighting and potential for low temps. Keep in mind that in the North being on a window sill during winter can be a cold spot.

Another condition that you could see in orchids are small spots that turn from reddish brown to black. These are most likely caused by fungal infection.

As orchid growers we need to remember that humidity is needed for proper orchid growth and the orchid supply. Too much humidity favors the growth of fungus.

The last orchid care leaves tip I want to mention is the shriveling of the pseudopods. Pseudopods are very efficient water storage areas of the plants. If there is not enough water given to the plants or the humidity is too low the leaves will shrivel. Also, if the root system is dying you can get shriveled pseudopods.

Leaves sure do tell us a great deal about orchids and help us to keep diseases at bay and not becoming fatal

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** This article can be used freely as long as the author and the Orchids-Plus-More.com are identified within the article

This site http://www.orchids-plus-more.com is devoted to these wonderful orchid plants. Did you know they are the second in popularity only to the poinsettia plants? You will find a good deal of information on how easy orchid care really is. They are wonderful to have around your home or for that special gift. Orchid flowers are beautiful and can last for years. Your plant will be appreciated for years and years.

The article may be reproduced in full with the name of the author and the web site, http://www.orchids-plus-more.com cited in the article.

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Understanding Treasures of Troy and White Orchid Video Games

When IGT first released Treasures of Troy and White Orchid, players, and most slot attendants, didn't understand the 1,024 way MultiWay feature. I have to admit, I found that I couldn't explain it to the slot attendants myself. I found myself researching the game feature so I could explain it. Although it appears to be just a regular video game with 40 lines, The Treasures of Troy game is actually two games in one.

First, it is a 40 line 20 reel game, as opposed to the 5 reels that most of our games have. It looks like a 5 reel game at first glance, but if you look closer you will see that there are 5 columns (not reels) of 4 rows. Each of these "picture windows" is a separate reel. Watch the way the game plays and you'll see each window stopping on its own instead of an entire column stopping together as most reel games do.

Second, in addition to being a 40 line game, it also has an option to buy into a MultiWay feature similar to Aristocrat's Reel Power games giving players an additional 1,024 ways to win when they double their wager. Here's how that feature works:

When you wager the additional amount (40 x your line bet) to enter the MultiWay feature, in addition to being able to win based on payable combinations on each of the 40 lines, you can now win based on symbols on each column. You must get 4 or 5 of the same symbol in each column on an active payline to trigger a win, however, if you get more than one of the winning symbols in any of the 4 or 5 columns, your win is multiplied.

Examples:

These examples assume a payout for 5 WS (Winning Symbols) = 40 credits times your line bet. Some WS pay higher amounts. The examples below assume the minimum bet of one per line (40) plus the feature wager (40).

#1: You get one WS in each of the 5 columns on any payline and it pays you 40 credits. (40×1x1×1x1×1=40)

#2: You get two WS in the first column and one in each of the 2nd through 5th columns and you are paid 80 credits. (40×2x1×1x1×1=80)

#3: You get two WS in column one and column four and one in each of the other columns and you are paid 160 credits. (40×2x1×1x2×1=160)

#4: You get WS on all 4 reels of the 1st column, 2 in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd, and 1 in the 4th and 5th and you are paid 640 credits. (40×4x2×2x1×1=640)

And, finally,

#5: You get WS on all 4 reels of all 5 columns and you are paid 40,960 credits. (40×4x4×4x4×4=40,960)

And that's just the MultiWay part of the game. 4×4x4×4x4=1,024 is the maximum number of ways you can win, and hence the name MultiWay.

Clear as mud? It is confusing, but if you think about the examples above and watch the game when someone is playing it with the 40+ MultiWay feature activated it will become clearer. Just remember that four or five WS on a payline will trigger the feature when the additional wager is placed.

By the way, this is basically the same way the Carnival of Mystery game works, except Carnival of Mystery only has three rows by five columns for a maximum of 243 ways to win.

Rick Brock has been involved with the casino gaming industry for over 24 years working in and around casinos in a variety of roles. He has worked at casinos in Nevada, California, Minnesota and Mississippi and has consulted for casinos in California, New Mexico, Louisiana, Minnesota and Mississippi.

Rick has worked in nearly every position in the Slot department from Change Person to Slot Mechanic / Slot Technician to Slot Manager. He was most recently the Director of Gaming for Lakes Entertainment, a casino management company that manages Indian casinos in Michigan, Oklahoma and California.

Rick's website is dedicated to informing and educating slot machine players and can be found at: http://www.Midwest-Casino-Slots.com

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Orchid Flower Tattoos Can Be Feminine Or Masculine

Tattoos or at least the concept of tattoo art designs have been around for many, many years. Ranging from simple dots and lines to the more intricate designs are present in mummified remains found in several caves and burial grounds all over the world. This just goes to show that tattoos have been a long fascination of the human mind, ancient or modern.

Now, if you are planning to enter the world of tattoo art designs, then go and read on. Still, if you are just really in for the knowledge, then read on. If you are planning to start to have a tattoo art, then start it simple. Remember, that tattoos are permanent, so you might want to think about what to get first before you actually start the inking.

If you want a tattoo for life, then try an Orchid flower tattoo designs. Flower tattoos are great designs, as they show dual sides of simplicity and complexity. Simplicity in a sense that it's just a flower, but complexity in a way that the design varies, the shapes and colors vary as well.

Rushing for a good Orchid flower tattoo design in a tattoo parlor? A pretty good suggestion is to first have a temporary tattoo that lasts for around a week or so. Have a feel of the flower design. Then, just as this design starts to fade, you can go back to your tattoo artist to have it inked permanently.

Orchid flower tattoos are not just for the females. Men have tried this design and also loved the way the flower art has shown color and beauty in the tattoo art.

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