So you have bought some orchids and you want to learn all about caring for them using simple techniques. Well, you have come to the right place because I am going to discuss how this task is so easy that anyone can do it; even you.

If you want to turn your plants into beautiful and thriving flowers, then you need to read this post to learn how to care for an orchid. So without further ado lets get into the process of growing vibrant plants today.

Watering Orchids

One of the basic things about maintaining these plants is knowing how to correctly water them. Most people like to drench their orchids when they water them and then wait for the medium to dry out before giving their plants anymore. I actually prefer to keep these plants moist and periodically check them to make sure they do not dry out too quickly.

Another method you can use for watering is to check the weight of your pot when you supply it with moisture, then check the weight when they have dried out. This is a great way to find out exactly when to water them again. You can also place your finger about one inch into the top layer of the dirt and test to see if it is moist or dry. If it’s dry then its time to give your plants H2O. If the soil is still moist then you should wait before giving them any more moisture.

Fertilization and Nutrition

Contrary to popular belief they do need to be fed if you want to have beautiful thriving blossoms. The top three nutrients that you need to feed them with are nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium also represented as N-P-K.

These are the basic nutrients that every plant needs to have in order to thrive and bloom. There are some exceptions but, for simplicity we will discuss them as the basic macro-nutrients needed for optimum growth.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is used for the leaves and flowers of all your plants. If you begin to see the leaves turning yellow and becoming stunted in growth, this may be a sign of a nitrogen deficiency. If you happen to put too much nitrogen into the soil it may produce many leaves on your orchid plant, but may also inhibit flowering. Make sure when adding nitrogen you only use the recommended amount for these plants.

Phosphorous For Root Strength

Phosphorous is also another important nutrient in creating the perfect habitat. Phosphorous is a great nutrient for many different things. It’s great for using when you are transplanting them into the ground or into another pot because it helps the orchid roots adjust much quicker to the new medium. Phosphorous also helps the roots become much stronger when you first plant it.

If they happen to have a deficiency you will notice the leaves turning a blue to green discoloration and it may cause your plant to grow very slowly. If there is too much phosphorous then they will face a deficiency of other nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, and many others.

Potassium for Proper Flower Growth

Potassium is not as an important nutrient as nitrogen and phosphorous is but is worth mentioning especially when caring for these flowers. Potassium is used to keep the cell membrane of the plant intact and strong. It can also be used for more root growth and further production of starch and other sugars. If you happen to have excess potassium then you will most likely have a deficiency of nitrogen, copper, magnesium, calcium, and even iron.

A Few Steps to Repotting or Propagating Your Orchid Plants

If this hobby is important to you then you need to learn all about propagating them correctly as well. Basically propagation is repotting your flowers into a new medium and a new pot. If you notice the roots begin to become crowded inside of the container, then it is time to place them into a new home.

Step #1-Removing Your Plant From the Container

First you need to remove the plant from your pot with care. One thing you can do is to bang the bottom of the container with your hand and this may loosen the roots so you can take out the plant. If not you may have to use a knife to cut it out of the pot being careful that you do not sever any roots or any important parts of this organism.

Step #2-Examine Your Plant Roots

After you have removed the plant from the pot you then need to remove any decaying material on your orchid and discard of it. If the roots happen to be thriving or healthy then you will need to repot it into a larger pot than the original. If there is too much rot then I would suggest planting them into a new container of the same size or smaller depending on how many rotten roots were removed.

Step #3-Placing Your Orchid in its New Container

Once you have placed material at the bottom of the new pot for proper drainage such as Styrofoam peanuts or other materials you can then add the plant into the pot. Make sure to take proper care of the plant and it is at the exact same height it was in the original pot and then you can add some soil.

Make sure to fill the pot all the way up to the top of the new housing. Press firmly down on the medium making sure that the plant is in place and it will not move. If you have to you can place a stake in the pot and tie the stem to keep it growing straight. This also gives your flower more support as well.

Caring for orchids indoors is as easy as can be. All you needed was the right information and you too can begin to have beautiful and amazing looking blossoms that will thrive for many years to come. Now that you know how to take care of them with ease, you can start growing them today.