Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44mattersmagazine.com 27 Orchid School Learn how to treat your orchid right BY KIM FEDDERSEN Do you own an orchid? Wonder how to take care of it? Here’s a quick guide. The orchids that most of us buy at the grocery store do not include a label with plant name, but it is most likely to be a blooming Phalaenopsis. These plants are produced in Taiwan, and shipped to U.S. “finishing nurseries” just as they reach blooming size. There the plants are forced into early bloom by manipulating the growing conditions, and possibly receiving chemical treatments. The producers want us to enjoy the flowers as “Cut Flowers on Root,” where they last much longer. After the flowers are spent, they expect you to throw away the plant and buy another. That “throwaway” concept doesn’t sound right to us. Why not try to let your orchid thrive and bloom again? Just be aware that these plants were driven to bloom as quickly as possible (maybe with hormone treatments), so the plant is exhausted and may need six to 18 months to get over the ordeal. Light: Orchids prefer bright, but indirect light. In winter any window will do, but from March through mid-October, direct sun is too strong from 10 a.m. to 3:30-4 p.m. Placing the plant in or near an east or west facing window is ideal. Temperature: Orchids will do fine with room temperatures between 55°F and 75°F. Water: Do NOT use ice cubes to water your orchids. Take plants to the kitchen sink, and drench with tepid water. Leave them to drain excess water, and return to their normal location. Fertilizer: Add a light dose of fertilizer to every third watering. You can use any balanced plant fertilizer, but use only one-third of the manufacturer-recommended dose. (“Balanced” here means roughly equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium – N, P and K; 20:20:20 or 13:15:16 is good; 10:25:15 is unsuitable.) Potting mix: Plants coming in from Taiwan are potted in pure sphagnum moss. You can grow the plants in this material, but if it is packed densely into the pot, it is difficult to avoid over-watering (which kills the roots, and eventually the plant). The best solution is to saturate the pot with water, and then pluck out all the moss. Then, pack about half back in, between the roots (or replace it with a bark mix if you have it). That allows the roots to breathe while still providing something to hold water for the plant. (Be careful not to break the flower spike while fixing the potting mix!) Relative humidity: Orchids prefer relative humidity higher than 30 to 40%. Since this is difficult to achieve in the winter, place the plant on a pebble tray (as its name implies, a tray or saucer with pebbles) and a quarter-inch of water, so the plant stands above the water. This improves the relative humidity around the plant.  Second Generation Family Owned and Operated for 20 Years. Michael’s Chimney Service LLC & Masonry Contractors 973-271-0026 www.michaelschimneynj.com Chimneys cleaned, repaired, rebuilt, relined. Fireplace & Furnace Sweeps. Keep Your Family and Home Safe this Spring. Time for your Chimney Clean Up. Free check of your heating system flue for carbon monoxide leakage. Free Estimates - Fully Insured 24-hour Emergency Service PSE&G violations corrected. All types of masonry work: Sidewalks, Steps, Patios 10% OFF any job over $1500 Coupon must be presented at time of contract. Expires May 1, 2017. License #13VH07937500