What Kind of Orchid Do I Have?
The First Step: Identify Your Orchid
The first step in caring for your orchid is knowing whether it is a phalaenopsis, dendrobium, vanda, cattleya, oncidium, paphiopedilum or cymbidium. (Jun 09)

I've Got This Orchid, Now What Do I Do?
Growing Orchids: Steps to Keep Your Orchid Happy
The importance of water, light, temperature, fertilizer and potting. (Jul 09)

Epiphyte or Terrestrial? Sympodial or Monopodial?
Types of Orchid Growth
Orchids can be epiphytes or terrestrials, and can have either sympodial or monopodial growth habits. (Aug 09)

What to Look for When Buying an Orchid Plant
Reading Your Plant Label: Key to an Orchid's Heritage
Understand the orchid you are buying by the information on the plant label. (Sep 09)

What Makes Orchid Roots Different
Why Special Potting Mixes are Necessary
Orchid roots are different from the roots on common house plants, in part because of the spongy velamen layer, and require potting mixes that allow enough air around the roots. (Oct 09)

Understanding the Light Requirements of Orchids
Why Won't My Orchid Rebloom? How to Tell if You're Getting Enough Light
The number one reason that orchids don't rebloom is that they're not getting enough light. Here are some quick ways to check your light levels, and the SAOS has a light meter for you to be sure! (Nov 09)

Winter Care Tips
Some Tips on Caring for Your Orchids during Winter
Fluctuating temperatures and changing light levels are reducing the amount of water and fertilizer your plants require. Phalaenopsis are spiking so stake the spikes for best flower presentation. (Dec 09)

You've Received an Orchid as a Gift
Now What Do You Do?
Flowering orchids are best kept in a bright, airy place in the home away from direct sunlight and overly warm temperatures. For maximum flower life, try to maintain orchid plants at an even moisture level. (Jan 10)

How and When to Water Your Orchid
Pseudobulbs vs. Fleshy Leaves
You can tell something about your orchid by its structure. The pseudobulbs on orchids like cattleyas store energy and water and prefer a wet dry cycle. Fleshy leaved orchids like phalaenopsis only have their fleshy leaves to store water and energy so they prefer to be more evenly moist. (Feb 10)

How and When to Fertilize Your Orchids
Balanced, High Nitrogen and Bloom Booster Fertilizers
There are many different points of view on how to fertilize orchids and what fertilizer to use. Everyone has a favorite fertilizer or supplement. How you fertilize depends on what kinds of orchids you grow and how and where you grow them. (Apr 10)

The Importance of Humidity and Air Movement
Indoor Growers Can Simulate Outdoor Conditions
Winter heating and summer air conditioning both dry the air significantly, try adding humidity trays or a humidifier. Orchids adore constantly moving fresh air, crack open a window and add fans to keep air moving. (May 10)

Putting It All Together - It's A Balancing Act
Growing Orchids Requires a Proper Balance of Cultural Elements
You must balance light, water, nutrients and air. The best orchid growers instinctively know that if they increase or decrease one of these elements, they will have to adjust the others accordingly. (Jun 10)