How to Take Care of Orchids
These deceptively delicate looking plants are relatively simple to take care, with some patience and basic understanding: anyone can learn how to take care of orchids.
Tips for Growing Successful Orchids:
- They love humidity: in the dry winter months, add a dehumidifier
- Avoid over watering: water your orchid only when it dries out
- Look at the leaves to understand the plant’s needs
- If you don’t have enough natural light, florescent lights can simulate the ideal conditions
- Almost any type of water will do, however, if you want your orchid to flourish use water processed through reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis water has most of the minerals removed from which will reduce the amount of residue that would remain on the orchids roots.
- Avoid any toxins around your orchid, including smoking. Overtime, air pollutants will damage your orchid.
- To avoid frostbite, move your orchid away from the window during the winter months.
How to Water your Orchid:
The majority of orchid varieties prefer to dry out in between watering. This being said, carefully monitor your orchid, before watering it. Orchids, like most plants, will be more successful if they are under-watered then if they are over-watered.
When you water your orchid, water the plant at its roots. Try to avoid any water touching the leaves, as they do not like to be wet. If the leaves do get wet, gently wipe them off with a piece of cotton.
Creating the Ideal Air Movement
The roots of orchids thrive from being aerated and there are some fairly simple tricks to give the orchid the natural aeration that it desires. Pots specifically designed for orchids, naturally allow the roots to breathe. These pots have holes on their sides, which allow the roots to escape into the external environment. To increase the aeration for your orchid, open the window or use a small fan, so that there is continual air flow by the orchid’s roots.
Mimic the Tropics and Create a Natural Humid Environment
Orchids love naturally humid environments, particularly during their growing season. Thankfully, it is fairly simple to mimic this humid environment. Misting your orchid plant, placing a humidifier in the room or putting your orchids on trays with water and pebbles or gravel will help increase the humidity of your room. If you do place the orchids on trays, make sure that there is a barrier between the water and the plant itself. The intention of the tray is to increase the humidity in the room not to water the plant.
Transplanting your Orchid
Orchids prefer to be pot bound, with their roots being able to reach up into the environment. You will rarely have to transplant your orchid plant. Most orchids only require transplanting once every 2-3 years.
When transplanting your orchid, be sure to use a planting medium designed specifically for orchids. Regular potting soil does not provide the necessary aeration for the root system, and will result in slow growth and potential root rot.
If you do need to repot your orchid, it is best to do this in the warmer months when the new growth is beginning to appear. When choosing a new pot, only go slightly larger than the current pot that the orchid is in. You want to ensure that you provide your orchid with the compressed environment that they thrive in.
Fertilizer
Orchids like all plants developed in an artificial environment, should be fertilized. Even the best grower, cannot mimic all of the environmental factors that an orchid would naturally find. If you want to encourage blooming and root growth, seek a fertilizer high in phosphorus content. If you’re seeking overall growth, then choose a more balanced fertilizer. Only fertilize your orchid during the periods where you are trying to encourage growth. Like all plants, orchids need a period of rest, during this period, do not fertilize your plant.
Orchids are exotic, beautiful plants that are as easy to maintain as any other flowering houseplant. With some basic tools, knowledge, and the right environment, anyone can learn the techniques on how to take care of orchids. Enjoy each moment of bringing the tropics into your home environment.
