In order to make your plant produce the most it possibly can, you need to trick it into thinking that it's right back home in the wild. Remember these requirements:

• Air
• Water
• Light
• Temperature
• Food
• Altitude (depending on plant)

Air: To be a successful grower, you have to follow certain rules, starting with air. Air plays a major part in the photosynthesis and respiration cycle, and is thus beneficial to the plant's growth. Ventilation is a key factor in maintaining healthy root systems. Air circulation around the roots helps to dry the plant out between waterings, and may potentially kill harmful bacteria. Without proper air circulation around the roots, your plant may develop root rot.

Water: A pH balance of 7.0 is ideal. Any higher than a 7 has too much alkaline; any lower has too much acid. Reverse osmosis water is preferred, just remember that the purer the water, the better for the plant!

Light: Different species like different levels of light (measured in footcandles). Sometimes even within the same species you might find a plant that likes it a little brighter or darker. Most plants want more light when growing and less when blooming. So, during the grow months you will need to let as much light in as the plant can take. During the bloom cycle you need to shade your plants because most plants like it darker when they are ready to bloom. Some species may indicate they need more light if their leaves are dark green. It's a good idea to check the lighting requirements for your type of orchid.

Temperature: It's very important to know whether your plant is a hot, warm, or cold grower. It you took a person from a cold region and put them in a hot one, they would probably be uncomfortable for a while, unless you change the environment for them (i.e. - air conditioner). The same rule applies to plants. If the climate does not suit the plant, it can lose a vital cycle like reproduction (flowering), or may even die. Once again, the more closely you can mimic the plant's native environment, including temperature, the happier your plant will be.

Food: Plant "food" comes in two different forms: liquid and dry. Liquid fertilizers often come in powdered form, and should be mixed into the water you give your plant. Dry fertilizers are mixed into the potting medium at the time the plant is potted/repotted. About every year, you can add a snack for the plants that don't need to be repotted. There are different types of time-release fertilizers that may come in pellet form. Simply add the suggested amount to the top layer of the potting medium. As it receives water, it will slowly emit nutrients into the roots of your plant. It is a good idea to use a balanced fertilizer in order to not confuse the grow and bloom cycles of your plant.

Altitude: Some plants will only grow or bloom at certain altitudes. But for the most part, you can grow most species of plants at sea level, and most of California.