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 Blossoms Today
- They love humidity: in the dry winter months, add a dehumidifier
- Avoid over watering: water them 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 when taking care of them, 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 roots.
- Avoid any toxins that could occur around these plants, including smoking. Overtime, air pollutants will damage them severely.
- To avoid frostbite, move your orchid away from the window during the winter months.
These are a few simple strategies that most gardeners should be aware of when cultivating plants in their home.
How to Water Them Using Simple Methods:
The majority of varieties prefer to dry out in between watering. This being said, carefully monitor them, before watering it. They, like most plants, will be more successful if they are under-watered then if they are over-watered.
When you are taking care of these unique flowers, 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 them the natural aeration that it desires. Special containers specifically designed for them, 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 plants, open the window or use a small fan, so that there is continual air flow by their roots.
Mimic the Tropics and Create a Natural Humid Environment
They love naturally humid environments, particularly during their growing season. Thankfully, it is fairly simple to mimic this humid environment and start properly growing these flowers with this simulation. Misting your plant, placing a humidifier in the room or placing them on trays with water and pebbles or gravel will help increase the humidity of your room.
If you do place them 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. This is the best strategy for properly adding the correct humidity levels into any room of your house instantly.
Transplanting Them Quickly and Easily
They prefer to be pot bound, with their roots being able to reach up into the environment. You will rarely have to transplant your orchids. Most of them only require transplanting once every 2-3 years.
When repotting these flowers, 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 them it is best to do this in the warmer months when the new growth is beginning to appear. When choosing a new container, only go slightly larger than the current pot that they are in. You want to ensure that you provide them with the compressed environment that they thrive in.
Fertilizer
One other step that you have to understand when taking care of these plants is applying fertilizer that they require for healthy blooms. Even the best growers, cannot mimic all of the environmental factors that they 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 during the periods where you are trying to encourage growth. Like all plants, they need a period of rest, during this period, do not feed 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 them correctly. Enjoy each moment of bringing the tropics into your home environment.