Growing orchids in a group better?

[sarahlydear]

So I wasn't really sure where to put this but right here will do.

Does any one else think orchids, or plants in general, grow better in a group around other plants than by themselves?

[Olivia]

I certainly do, but I think that may just be my excuse for getting more. I also like to get new ones in bloom to encourage/threaten the stubborn ones

But really there probably is something to be said for a collective humidity increase. I can't remember the proper term for that.

[quiltergal]

I think it definitely helps.....at least with the relative humidity. Many plants together create a small micro-climate if you will. My plants do much better in the house when they're all together rather than scattered all over the house. The trick is to not get them too crowded then you have problems with not enough air movement and transfer of pathogens. Right now mine are too crowded and I'm seeing some fungus problems. Once I get the herd thinned to a more managable size and the pots aren't touching each other I'll have a better chance of getting rid of the fungus.

[Paul Mc]

I agree, I believe that it does help in terms of RH. However, air flow is always an issue. Another potential issue is if a plant becomes infected in the group it can easily share the infection with the others in the group and devestate the whole lot if you don't catch it early enough.

[beanluc]

RE: "other plants"

My other plants are much bigger and require much less light than my orchids. So clustering the orchids in/around my other plants would yield either burned Monsteras and Dracaenas, or, light-starved orchids.

However I live in a very humid place so my indoor microclimate doesnt need to be crafted around humidity like some people's. My own main effort is toward giving orchids enough strong light while keeping them cool, without baking them behind the south windows' glass.

[Paul Mc]

For some orchids, it would be excellent to place them in and around (or even behind) your larger plants. I do this with my phal's and paph's all the time, especially when they are outside. I sort of hide them a bit behind and under the canopy of my other tropicals.

I have to say I'm envious of your humidity! LOL...

[Ducky87]

Totally agree in terms of grouping plants together, though I also leave my bedroom light and tv on for them when im not there. Lol si this is just the oppinion of a crazy person. :P

[Angurek]

I don't see anything wrong with growing orchids in a group (safe to say that pretty much every grower does this). As others have said, it creates an environment that ultimately benefits each plant. The only disadvantage I can think of would be the higher risk of a disease outbreak. If you put an unhealthy plant in the bunch, you'd risk getting the others sick (take it from me - it's no fun having to deal with a sick collection).

Were you also referring to growing orchids communally (i.e. various plants in one pot)? If so, that's another ball game. You certainly don't wanna keep plants of different cultural requirements in one pot, because the growing conditions that favored one would be detrimental to the other. Another unfavorable case would probably be if you potted two plants of different growth rates together, as one would probably smother the other. I could be wrong, though.

[lund0682]

I've grouped all my plants together, but I miss them whenever I'm in a different room!

I recently moved to a new place (last fall) and I spent a lot of time carefully arranging the placement of all my plants. I was concerned about specific requirements of each plant, of course, but I also wanted everything to look good for me - so that no matter what room I was in I had a nice view!

But then winter kicked in and I realized that I had very dry central heat, with humidity dropping down to 30%. Uncomfortable for me, but mortal for some of my plants. So I gathered them all into a big group (to increase local humidity around them), also put out humidity trays, and run a humidifier. Winter is winding down and they've all survived. But I miss having the plants in other rooms!

What's the answer? Maybe just buy more plants and set up a large group in each room?

[Connie Star]

I grow in groups just so I can fit more in. I do "group the groups" tho- ie phals in one area paphs another. The paphs are really crowded, so I have to split them up. So, I guess that means I have to buy more paphs to have enough for two groups.