Through the centuries, many people have believed that caring for orchids was difficult, or was an activity reserved for the rich. There are more than 25,000 species of orchids nowadays, plus over 100,000 hybrid species! With all this variety, it is possible for any would-be horticulturist to find an orchid that will fit into their budget, their lifestyle and their gardening skills.
Surprisingly, orchids generally do not need any more work than any other house plants or garden plants you may have. Some do have special requirements, so it’s a good idea to find out the special needs of an orchid you are contemplating buying. It’s the first step to caring properly for your beautiful plant.
Orchids produce especially beautiful blooms, which is why they are such popular house plants. If you give the orchid proper care, you can keep it just as lovely and healthy as it was in the store or nursery. Most of the orchids given as gifts are Phaleanopsis orchids. These are very popular for their ease of care as well as for their lovely white or purple flowers. Phaleanopsis orchids are a bit less delicate than rarer orchids.
Orchids can bloom for at least three months, if they receive proper care. Place the plant near the window so it can get full light throughout the day. Avoid exposing the orchid to harsh midday sunlight, which is harmful to the plant. An eastern window in your home is ideal. Try to arrange for the plant to receive plenty of morning and evening light. These kinds of light are very beneficial for the orchid, but not as harsh as midday sun.
If an eastern exposure is not possible in your home, you can easily substitute fluorescent plant lights. Position the lights about one to two feet above the orchid’s flowers and foliage, and be sure to limit the light exposure to normal daylight hours. Resist the temptation to give the plants additional light far into the evening hours; “more” is not better as far as orchids and fluorescent light are concerned. Limit fluorescent light exposure to a maximum of 12 hours daily.
Orchids love and thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If they are exposed to temperatures higher than 90 degrees, they may lose their buds or stop blooming altogether. Keep the plant moist, but guard against overwatering, which will kill the plant. A good rule of thumb is to water the plant once every ten to twelve days, or keep it in a water tray. Be sure that the roots don’t touch the water in the tray or the plant will be over watered and will die quickly.
A great way to keep an orchid blooming for as long as possible is to fertilize it before it blooms – and not after. Also, carefully prune the plant while it is blooming, and you will see an additional set of flowers develop.
With the right care, your orchid will be a delightful addition to your home, and it will give you a full, rich array of blossoms for its full blooming season.
Tags: Caring For Orchids, Fahrenheit, Flower, Fluorescent lamp, Horticulture, Hybrid (biology), Orchid, Orchidaceae, Plant, Tips For Success
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You may have one day noticed the orchids gracing a wedding and wondered, how do they get to be so beautiful. They are very delicate flowers and their beauty transforms any environment into a beautiful, lively one with a tropical fragrance. The secret to this is usually the methods of caring for orchids.
Each orchid has its unique characteristics. This makes caring for them quite complicated. However, being plants, the basic things to consider are their light, heat moisture and air requirements. In addition, certain care techniques for the flowers in particular are applied.
There are different types of species. Each has its original native land. To effectively take care of your orchid therefore requires that you do a little home work on the orchid’s native home. This way, you will be able to create artificial conditions which resemble those in its native home.
The first thing is the lighting. Because you will be growing your orchids mostly indoors it will be necessary to ensure they get enough lighting. Identifying this involves looking at the leaves. Orchids receiving adequate light should have a light green pigmentation. Dark green indicates little light while yellowing leaves indicate excess light. Moving your plant closer to a window should enable it receive enough light. If it is in an environment where lighting is not adequate, using florescent lighting to substitute sunlight will also do. Shading the plant should also take care of excess light.
The second thing to consider are the heat needs for your orchids. The amount of heat and light are necessary for the development of flowers. If you live in a cold place, a heating system will be needed to ensure your orchids have enough heat. Tour local florist shop will be a good place to find out about the heat requirements for your orchids.
The third thing to consider when caring for orchids is their air requirements. Good ventilation is necessary to enable carry out photosynthesis and transpiration. These are the processes where the plant uses light in the manufacture of its food and breathe respectively. Photosynthesis requires a lot of oxygen while transpiration requires carbon dioxide.
The fourth thing to consider is the water requirements of the orchids. The type of water, frequency, and time to water the plant are most important. Orchids need lukewarm chemical free water. Cold water can stunt root development while hot water could burn the roots killing the plant. The pot type, environment and size of the pot determine the frequency of watering. If the pot is small a highly porous you should water it more frequently. Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity will also guide you on how often you should water the orchids. For example, water twice a week during hot dry seasons and once during winter. It is also recommended you water in the morning to enable the leaves dry up during the day.
The last thing to consider is different flower care techniques for orchids. There are times when an orchid seems to have stopped blooming. The method to care for these orchids is to simply cut the old stalk. This will prompt growing of another one in its place.
For more information on caring for orchids sign up for a FREE 10 part course on secrets for the best orchid care at http://www.orchidsfamily.com
Tags: Caring For Orchids, Garden, Orchid, Orchidaceae, Phalaenopsis, Plant, Water
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