If you are caring for orchids, then you certainly understand how magnificent these flowers can be, with the proper care. They beautify homes, providing a flowery, natural touch to living rooms, bedrooms, and even balconies. Orchids are welcoming plants, and are terrific choices for corsages and arm bands for graduations, proms, and especially weddings.
Caring for orchids can be challenging – aptly described as half science and half art. Caring for your plant is more than just providing water and sunlight. It requires accuracy, punctuality, a great deal of endurance and love.
For this reason, it’s important to follow these essential fundamentals before you start planting and caring for these exquisite gifts of nature.
First Things First
You will find more than 25,000 types and over 100,000 hybrids of orchids, each requiring specific growing conditions. For this reason, avoid pushing forward and buying an orchid plant without sufficient knowledge of their requirements. Do your research by utilizing the Internet. Here, you will find information-packed websites, blogs, and forums, many of them for free. If you feel intimidated using the Internet, consider asking a knowledgeable friend or visit your local nursery for advice.
Once you feel comfortable knowing the fundamentals, you can now choose your orchid. Be sure to pick an orchid that will fit your daily life, your routine, and one that meets your budget. Don’t make a buying decision based on the beauty of the flower; many a weekend gardener has fallen into this trap, only to find they have no idea how to properly grow their new orchid. Be sure you understand what you’re buying and how much time you’ll need to devote to your new orchid plant.
In some ways, your plant will decide if its right for you. The orchid’s environmental needs are specific and your surroundings will need to meet these needs. To ignore this basic fact would be to risk your hard earned money. For example, most orchids prefer cooler temperatures and should be placed out of the direct sunlight at midday. In addition, many orchids prefer to be moist much of the time, but not too wet or the plant will wilt. You can see that orchids can, indeed be very sensitive creatures. The important thing is to understand the requirements of the plant you are purchasing.
Let There Be Light
There are two methods for supplying light energy to an orchid – one is natural and the other is artificial. Sunlight is the best source of energy, however while taking care of orchids you might want to monitor the amount of sunlight your plant receives, as too much exposure will hamper the growth and blooming of your orchid.
Selecting the best spot in your home for your orchid can be tricky. You want to find a place with just enough sunlight, not too much and never too little. A south window may be a great choice because it can gather indirect, less intense light during the morning and later afternoons. Midday sun can be especially harmful to your orchid plant.
Fluorescent lighting is also suitable for orchids when you are having trouble regulating natural sunlight. You may have to play around with the exact lighting requirements for your orchid to maximize its growth.
Just The Right Temperature
It is generally agreed that orchids prefer cool temperatures during the night and must be kept in the range between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum results. It is important to remember that orchids will not flourish if placed in an environment of more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and will even stop blooming when placed in 90 degree heat. Make sure to place them in a cool environment; this will also help to keep the soil moist.
Watering Your Orchid Plant
When potting your orchid, be sure to provide proper drainage. This can be simply accomplished by making holes in the bottom of the container. Water the plant thoroughly, and place the orchid on a water tray to ensure that it will get a consistent amount of water. A word of caution here – don’t allow the roots to touch the water in the tray. The roots will get soaked and rot.
The quantity and frequency of watering primarily depends on the type of orchid. The majority of orchids planted in barks require watering roughly every five days. Nevertheless, times may vary considerably, so do your homework. Again, use the Internet as an information source or consult a horticulturist.
Use of Fertilizers
The type of fertilizer you should use is a critical component to consider when taking care of orchids. While selecting a fertilizer always keep in mind that it should be free from urea and soluble in water. That will guarantee best results. As a general rule of thumb – what’s favorable to the normal growth of an orchid is also favorable to the environment.
Most orchid care specialists agree that a liquid fertilizer with a 20-20-20 analysis, or even a more specific 30-10-10 analysis is perfect for orchids grown on barks. Additionally, using liquid fertilizer makes it easy to apply, by simply adding it during the normal watering schedule. Simply follow the package directions.
Pruning
In order to make your orchid gorgeous and impressive-looking, proper pruning is essential. Pruning serves two purposes – it removes dead parts of the plant and beautifies the shape of your orchid. In general, it’s best to prune your orchid in the fall or early winter months.
Pruning can also be used to prolong the blooming process. Perfectly timed pruning may result in a second bloom developing on the same orchid plant. Simply remove the end of the bloom stalk to cause it to bloom again, extending the joy you’ll get from your magnificent orchid!
