Caring for Orchids Step-by-Step
For some time it has been the belief of many people that caring for orchids was reserved only for the rich or was too difficult. However, knowing that there are more than 25,000 species and with more than 100,000 hybrids, the possibility for an orchid to fit into a person’s lifestyle, budget, and skill level as a horticulturist goes up dramatically.
Contrary to popular belief, most orchid types do not need any more work than any other ordinary house or garden plants. But, there are some that have special needs. The first step in orchid care is to always find out what specific requirements that your flower needs. Very few plants yield such a beautiful and delicate bloom that an orchid can. The sheer essence of their beauty makes them such a popular house plant. By caring for your orchids extremely well and keeping them healthy, you can continue to have them bloom just as they did in the store. A popular orchid you may have received as a gift or bought from the store is the Phaleanopsis. This variety is the typical white or purple orchids that are commonly available because they are easier to care for than some other less common varieties of orchid plants.
The second step is controlling the amount of light your orchids receive. Given the right amount of light, your orchids will bloom for three months or more. Placing your orchid near a window will allow it to receive sunlight throughout the day. Avoid the midday sun because this can be overly harsh for the plant. Instead focus on giving your orchid morning and afternoon sunlight. And if you live in an area where sunlight is available even in the evening, all the better. The best side of your home to place your orchid is the eastern side. You can substitute fluorescent lights for natural sunlight, but you still want to limit the exposure to normal daylight hours. Fluorescent lights should be placed about a foot above the flowers.
The third step is regulating the temperature. The temperature that orchids thrive in ranges from 55 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius). Orchids that are exposed to temperatures that surpasses 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) will begin to lose their buds and will probably stop blooming at all. It is important to keep the flower moist, but do not over water the roots because this may kill the blooms. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant once every two weeks. You can also use a water tray, but be careful not to let the roots rest in the water tray or they may soak up too much water.
The fourth step is timing. A great tip for maintaining the orchid in bloom for the maximum amount of time possible is fertilize the plant before it blooms. Once the plant has bloomed you may stop using fertilizer. Another great tip for keeping your flower blooming is prune the orchid while it is in its blooming season. You should be able to see a second set of flowers appear. Given the right amount of tender flower care, you will have a gorgeous orchid plant that will display a rich and full beautiful bloom throughout the season.
Did you know that there are two common types of orchids? Please go to orchid types for more information.
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