Several Secrets to Caring for Orchids
Orchids are one of the most beautiful plants you can grow. This exotic plant can provide endless joy to you as a home gardener, and while caring for them may seem like an overwhelming, unwinnable task, they are, in fact, one great plant that grows easily and requires very little care from you. There are several things you must know when you decide to grow orchids within your home.
The first thing you should consider when growing orchids within your home the soil you choose to pot your orchids in. In comparison to most houseplants, orchids are slow growers. You should repot each plant every one to two years. When you get ready to do this, fill the chosen container about seventy percent full of the soil of your choice. The soil you choose should be specially formulated for the care of orchids. These kinds of mixes have lots of air pockets for delicate orchid roots. In many cases, orchid formulas are osmunda fiber, a material that slowly breaks down over time providing the perfect support for orchids, combined with pine bark and peat. There are, of course, specialized fertilizers in theses mixes as well; giving your orchids that extra boost they may need as an indoor houseplant. If the plant outgrows the pot (you will know this occurs when new plant shoots come crashing over the edge of the container), it’s time for a new container.
Light levels are another serious consideration in the growth of orchids. At one time, orchids were considered to only be good in greenhouse environments because of the special light levels they require. This, however, is not the only case. Orchids make great houseplants if you can give them bright, indirect light throughout both the morning and the afternoon. If you choose to put them in a window, you must be sure it is free from drafts, as orchids are very delicate. Make sure the light intensity is between fifteen hundred and nineteen hundred-candle power. If you have large windows, you should make sure your orchids are at least nineteen inches from the window, as it is possible to give your orchids too much light.
Once you have your lighting issues worked out, your next thought when attempting to grow orchids in your home is the level of humidity. In a greenhouse environment, orchids have a much higher level of humidity than they might in a home. There are, though, several things you can do to increase the level of humidity they experience, and therefore, offer them the moisture they need to do. First, put a small plate of pebbles at the base of your orchid container. This will help to retain the necessary water for you plants. Second, fill a mister with distilled water. Using tap water will harm the delicate leaves of your orchids. Mist your plants with the distilled water on a regular basis. Be sure, though, that you don’t overmist your plants, as that can cause them to have high levels of leaf bacteria, leading to premature decay of the leaves and root systems.
On the note of humidity, you should also think about how frequently to water your orchids. With orchids, it is important to only water when the soil is dry. Hanging plants require more frequent watering, as they dry out much quicker. Certain potting soils will also require more frequent watering, particularly if you use a bark based mix. Moreover, different types of orchids require different watering styles. Some, including Paphiopedilums and Haemeria, liked to be wet on a regular basis. Others, including Cattleyas, Laeliocattleyas, Brassolaeliocattleyas, Oncidiums, Miltonias, and Odontoglossums, require very little water, as their root systems retain water quite well, and overwatering them would be a tragic factor leading to plant decay. Be sure to do as much reading as is necessary to learn all about your choice orchid variety.
One final thing to consider in the growth of orchids is the temperature you grow them in. This, like the water level, will depend on the variety of orchid you have chosen to grow in your home. With any variety, during the freezing weather, move them from the window, as it can be at least fifteen degrees cooler in front of a window. If you have chosen Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilums, Vandas, Rhynchostylus and Dendrohiums, be sure you never let the temperature drop below forty-five degrees. If you have chosen Cattleyas, Epidendrums, Oncidiums, and Laelias, be sure that they live in a temperature of at least seventy degrees each day.
Growing orchids can be one of the most rewarding home gardening experiences. Do your reading, and then choose the perfect variety for you.