Basic Orchid Care
Orchid care is surprisingly easy with just a little bit of knowledge and information. With the right information you can easily have magnificent and amazing orchids growing in your home or garden in a very short time. There are a few basic orchid care tips you should know in order to grow thriving orchids that will last for many years to come. In order to have beautiful orchids you need to learn about proper light, temperature, humidity, correct watering, and what type of soil medium do orchid prefer to grow in.
Proper Orchid Medium
When it come to growing orchids you need to make sure you use the correct orchid medium for your plants. If you plant your orchids in regular potting soil your orchid plant will surely die because they grow in very different soil. There are many different types of orchid mediums you can choose from such as fir bark, redwood bark, coconut husks, sphagnum moss, and tree fiber which are all organic. There are also some inorganic mediums as well including charcoal, lava rock, alifor, vermiculite, pearlite, and turface. Most of the time if you go to your local greenhouse or garden store they have prepackaged orchid medium for sale. These are best for beginners because they have a mix of organic fibers that will feed your orchid for quite a long time.
Correct Amount of Light
Like most plants that grow in the wild orchids need a certain amount of light to thrive as well. Most orchids are very sensitive to very bright light and can burn very easily if placed in direct sunlight. That’s why if you are planting indoor orchids it is important not to place them directly in sunlight. For example if you place your orchid plant on a windowsill it is important not to leave it in direct sunlight for too long or at all. In the summer when the light is much brighter and stronger it is recommended to place your orchid in a more shaded area while still maintaining proper light. You can also use artificial light as well if there is not enough sunlight in your are or if you don’t have a windowsill to put your orchids on. Fluorescent lights are the best because they give your orchid plants the correct amount of light and the light bulbs will not burn your plants leaves.
Orchid Temperature
It is important for proper orchid care that you keep your orchids in the correct temperature. There are three classes that orchids are placed into according to their temperature requirements cool temperature, medium temperature, and warm temperature class. If you have cool temperature plants such as cymbidiums then you want to keep them in a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Medium class orchids such as cattleyas, epidendrums, and oncidiums require a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm class plants such as phalaenopsis and vanda orchids need to have a temperature of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the orchid temperature becomes too low your orchid leaves will begin to turn very dark and sometimes mushy. When the temperature becomes too high you might see your orchid leaves turning black and yellow because of sunburn. Yes, orchids can also get a sunburn as well.
Humidity
Humidity is also another important factor in correct orchid care as well. Without the correct humidity levels your orchids could become very sick and may not bloom to its full potential. In the summer months when the humidity is high, this should be adequate for your orchid plants needs. If you happen to live in a dry area or during the cold dry months you may need to supply your orchids with extra humidity. It is important to keep your orchids with at least 60-80 percent humidity environment. If you need more humidity you can purchase a humidifier which can increase the humidity around your orchids. If you prefer not purchasing a humidifier then you can place your orchid plants on a tray of pebbles or gravel. Fill the tray with water making sure when you place your orchid plants on the tray the water will not touch the orchid plants. This is a great way to increase the humidity for your orchid plants.
Watering Your Orchids
Watering your orchids is by far the most critical step to caring for orchids. When watering your orchids you need to be careful that you do not over-water them or under-water them. This is a very easy step that many people tend to not take seriously. There is a very simple way to make sure that you have watered your orchid correctly. First, water your orchids thoroughly making sure that they are moist. You don’t want to have damp orchids, you want to have moist orchids. After you have watered your orchid plant lift up the plant to test the weight of your orchid. You will want to test the weight of your orchid plant everyday to determine if your orchids need water or not. If you can’t tell by its weight then you will need to put your finger about one inch into the soil medium. If the soil is moist about an inch or two into the soil medium then you do not have to water your orchids. If it is dry then you will need to water your orchids again thoroughly keeping them moist.
With the right orchid care information you will be able to grow beautiful and magnificent orchids that will thrive for many years to come. Now that you know how to grow beautiful and amazing orchids it’s time for you to grow your own right now. Good luck growing your beautiful orchids!
