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Orchids
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Growing Media and Container: Orchids are commonly killed by being planted in soil. Mostorchids are epiphytes and require very different growing media than houseplants. Epiphytes have thick fleshy roots used to attach themselves to trees or bark and to absorb water and nutrients. They grow best in soilless mixtures or attached to pieces of bark or cork. One of the best ways to kill an epiphytic orchid is to plant it in soil. They require a growing media with extremely good aeration and drainage.
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Orchids are a long-lasting and particularly elegant type of flower, making them the perfect gift for many occasions. Their graceful appearance draws immediate attention, and their reputation as an exotic and unusual flower evokes a sense of refinement and innocence. With many orchid varieties to choose from and the meanings of orchids being so special, you are sure to find one that can express the right message, whether it be Thank You, Happy Anniversary, Congrats on Your Promotion, or anything in between.
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Orchids have few insect pests or diseases if properly cared for. It is important to have a problem identified before attempting control. Take a sample to your county Extension agent and follow recommended treatments suggested. Many disease prevention tips are provided in an orchid disease guide published by the American Orchid Society. Wiping leaves with a warm, soapy, wet cloth is sufficient to eradicate insects like mealy bugs if you have but a few plants in the house. Be careful because many insecticides can damage your orchids.
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Orchid’s proprietary SNP scoring technology, SNP-IT, powers the SNPstream instruments, SNPware™ consumables and high throughput SNP scoring services sold by Orchid Life Sciences to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural and academic customers. The versatility of SNP-IT has enabled Orchid to partner with industry leaders to make SNP-IT-enabled products available on a wide variety of instrument platforms as part of Orchid's Platform Propagation™ strategy. Orchid provides identity genomics testing for paternity and forensics through Orchid GeneScreen and Orchid Cellmark. Orchid Diagnostics markets products and services for HLA genotyping, disease susceptibility testing and immunogenetics, and Orchid GeneShield is developing programs designed to accelerate the adoption of personalized medicine. More information on Orchid can be found at its web site www.orchid.com.
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Orchids produce seed pods with literally hundreds of thousands of seed that are released and scattered by the wind. Orchid seeds must establish a symbiotic relationship with a special fungus to survive its first year of life. The fungi gathers water and minerals for itself and the seedling, and the seedling shares its sugars from photosynthesis with the fungus. Only one or two orchid seeds will ever germinate and survive on that perfect crevice or depression that is both moist and has the fungus present. Even then, its chances to survive in the wild long enough to bloom are slim.
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Orchids should be watered about once a week when the soil becomes dry, but they must never be allowed to remain wet or soggy for more than a day or two at a time. It is best to use water which has been allowed to sit for 24 hours to allow the chemicals to dissipate, and always at room temperature. Feed your orchid with water soluble 'orchid fertilizer' every two weeks during the growing season.
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