Caring for Orchids
TV shows have portrayed the growing of and caring for orchids as something only rich and intelligent people with plenty of time on their hand were able to do. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There are over 25,000 species and 100,000 hybrids making it possible to find an orchid that will fit the lifestyle and budget of any skill level of horticulturist.
For the most part caring for orchids does not require any more work than that of any other house or garden plant. However there are some orchids that have very special requirements. With that said the first priority in growing orchids is to find out what requirements your particular flower will need. The orchid produces a beautiful and delicate bloom that very few other plants have. And that is why orchids are a very popular house plant. If you care for orchids extremely well, they will keep blooming and looking just as healthy as when you purchased it. If you received the orchid as a gift or bought it in a store you most likely received a Phaleanopsis orchid. This is due to the fact that these orchids are easier to care for than other less common species of orchid plants.
You can expect your orchids to bloom for at least three months if correctly taken care of. Orchids should be placed near the window where it can received sunlight during the day. However you should avoid having them in the sun during the middle of the day because it will be too harsh. It is best to have sun early in the morning and late in the evening. Placing your orchids near a window on the eastern side of your house makes an excellent place for them to get a proper amount of sun. Fluorescent lights placed about a foot above the orchid’s flowers can be substituted for natural sunlight, but you still want to limit light exposure to regular daylight hours.
For orchids to thrive, temperatures should be between 55 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As temperatures reach above 80 degrees in to the 90’s orchids will stop blooming and lose their buds altogether. Keeping your flowers moist is most important, but if you over water and the roots cannot breathe the blooms will die. Water the plant only once every few weeks, or place the orchid in a water tray. However do not let the roots grow to the water tray or the plant will soak up too much water.
The secret to a long lasting bloom is to fertilize the plant right before it blooms. But after in blooms discontinue fertilizing it. Also to keep the orchid in bloom for as long a possible, prune the orchid carefully while it is blooming. After that you will see a second set of flowers develop. Providing the proper amount of care and attention, you can grow beautiful orchid plans that will have full, rich blooms throughout the blooming season.
