Flower Tips - How to Take Care of Orchids
As a beginner, in order to grow and properly care for your orchid, there are some basics you will need to keep in mind.
These relate to selecting the right orchid, potting media, water, light, humidity, temperature as well as fertilizer.
Orchid selection Orchid growing is not difficult once you find an orchid species that is easy to grow.
Select orchid species such as the phalaenopsis and the paphiopedilums which tend to thrive in a home environment, thereby making them ideal for beginners.
Before parting with your money at the orchid store, check to see that the orchid plant is proportionate to the pot and its roots are in the potting media.
The leaves of the plant should be light green and without blemishes, preferably with some unopened buds.
The orchid should also be pest-free and without fungal spotting.
Potting media Avoid planting your orchids in regular potting soil as this will kill them.
It is important to note that in the wild, orchids grow by attaching themselves onto structures such as trees and rocks.
As such, when growing them at home, you should ensure that your potting media permits the easy draining of water which will ensure that your orchid roots are able to breathe.
Ideal potting media included tree bark, fern, wood chips, moss and charcoal.
Light Too much or too little exposure to light could damage and impair the growth of your orchid.
One way to check for proper light exposure is by observing the orchid leaves.
Healthy leaves should have a light green coloration, while an underexposed leaf will have dark green coloration.
On the other hand, an overexposed orchid will have yellow/red/brown coloration on their leaves.
Water As a general rule, you need to water your orchid once a week or every five days during the warm seasons.
Too much watering may lead to the rotting of the roots.
When not sure, you should under-water, rather than over-water your orchids.
Temperature The ideal daytime temperature for orchid growing is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while a nighttime temperature of 60 degrees will do.
In order to facilitate proper blooming of your orchids, always ensure that they are never exposed to a nocturnal temperature drop of around 10 degrees.
Humidity In order to remain healthy, your orchid will require at least a 50% level of humidity.
If you reside in a low humidity area, you may use a humidity tray to ensure that your plant receives enough water from the air around it.
A humidity tray is positioned under the orchid and contains water which will evaporate and rise, thereby increasing the levels of humidity in the room.
Fertilizer Growing orchids require regular use of fertilizers in order to provide the plants with enough nutrients for growth.
If your potting media is tree bark, you should get a high nitrogen content fertilizer as the bacteria in the bark will be competing with your orchid for nutrients.
Preferably, you should use a fertilizer brand that contains 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorous and 20% potassium.
These relate to selecting the right orchid, potting media, water, light, humidity, temperature as well as fertilizer.
Orchid selection Orchid growing is not difficult once you find an orchid species that is easy to grow.
Select orchid species such as the phalaenopsis and the paphiopedilums which tend to thrive in a home environment, thereby making them ideal for beginners.
Before parting with your money at the orchid store, check to see that the orchid plant is proportionate to the pot and its roots are in the potting media.
The leaves of the plant should be light green and without blemishes, preferably with some unopened buds.
The orchid should also be pest-free and without fungal spotting.
Potting media Avoid planting your orchids in regular potting soil as this will kill them.
It is important to note that in the wild, orchids grow by attaching themselves onto structures such as trees and rocks.
As such, when growing them at home, you should ensure that your potting media permits the easy draining of water which will ensure that your orchid roots are able to breathe.
Ideal potting media included tree bark, fern, wood chips, moss and charcoal.
Light Too much or too little exposure to light could damage and impair the growth of your orchid.
One way to check for proper light exposure is by observing the orchid leaves.
Healthy leaves should have a light green coloration, while an underexposed leaf will have dark green coloration.
On the other hand, an overexposed orchid will have yellow/red/brown coloration on their leaves.
Water As a general rule, you need to water your orchid once a week or every five days during the warm seasons.
Too much watering may lead to the rotting of the roots.
When not sure, you should under-water, rather than over-water your orchids.
Temperature The ideal daytime temperature for orchid growing is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while a nighttime temperature of 60 degrees will do.
In order to facilitate proper blooming of your orchids, always ensure that they are never exposed to a nocturnal temperature drop of around 10 degrees.
Humidity In order to remain healthy, your orchid will require at least a 50% level of humidity.
If you reside in a low humidity area, you may use a humidity tray to ensure that your plant receives enough water from the air around it.
A humidity tray is positioned under the orchid and contains water which will evaporate and rise, thereby increasing the levels of humidity in the room.
Fertilizer Growing orchids require regular use of fertilizers in order to provide the plants with enough nutrients for growth.
If your potting media is tree bark, you should get a high nitrogen content fertilizer as the bacteria in the bark will be competing with your orchid for nutrients.
Preferably, you should use a fertilizer brand that contains 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorous and 20% potassium.
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