There has been information floating around to the effect that persons who are interested in growing orchids must be skilled gardeners.
Certainly you will require knowledge in order to become a success when growing orchids; however, you don't need to have abundant gardening knowledge.
What you do need is to become familiar with the needs of species you intend to grow.
There are thousands of species of orchids and once you investigate matters and decide upon one particular type you will need to acquire all the knowledge you can find available on proper watering, soil composition, re-planting, sunlight and other aspects necessary in order to keep the plant alive and blooming.
In other words, the growing requirements of the species of orchid must be followed to the letter in order to keep your plant healthy and full of blooms.
First off, you may wish to consider environmental conditions with respect to growing the plant.
You can grow the plant inside, outside or greenhouse style.
Growers who are interested in growing their plants outdoors generally choose media such as charcoal or bark in which to grow their plant.
The media is helpful from the standpoint it allows for proper drainage of water.
This is crucial because if the water becomes stagnant then the plant may develop root rot.
Needless to say the plant does not have much chance for survival if this occurs.
It is recommended then that pine bark is chosen it will provide the type of media wherein you can grow the flower successfully outdoors.
Some growers use tiny pebbles since they allow the water to flow away from the plant easier and more rapidly.
Also consider the same media can be used within containers; however watering needs depend on the type of container used.
Many persons are interested in propagation of the plant.
In order to perform plant propagation correctly, proper separation of the orchid must be undertaken.
Divide the roots of the plant with a sharp knife and ensure each separation includes a shoot.
Upon separating the plant successfully and with appropriate care a full size orchid will eventually result from each division.
However, many persons when attempting division of the orchid roots still are uncertain as to how it is done.
In order to better illustrate: what you must ensure is that you are separating right at the juncture where the plant has precisely 3 bulbs.
The concept is to use an elder plant in order to produce a new orchid.
The bulbs at the point of separation are located at the back of the orchid and have no leaves.
Also when using the technique of separating by back bulbs it literally takes several growing seasons before seeing a plant in full bloom.
Further when you use the technique prescribed within the preceding illustration, it is advised you take out or eliminate the growth that is older: this needs to be performed when replanting or the propagation method described herein will not provide satisfactory results.