Top Tips for Taking Care of Your Orchid
Beth ShawOrchids are known for their beautiful blooms and delicate appearance. While there is the common misconception that orchids are difficult to look after, as long as you take the time and understand the needs of these gorgeous flowers, you will be able to get continuous joy from them. While there may be more to consider than a very easy to manage house plant, growing orchids indoors can be done by anyone as long as you adhere to the right way to care for them. Here are some top tips for taking care of your orchid.
Sunlight
While most people think that orchids need direct sunlight due to being a tropical plant, they are mistaken; direct sunlight can cause orchids to wilt and even cause "burns" to the leaves. Please make sure they are in a light space but not too exposed. You might have to move your orchid around every so often at first to find a place that works best for it, and some types of orchids can handle more sunlight than others. Make sure you find out which type of orchid you are buying so that you can research its needs in more detail. The most common variety of orchids sold as house plants is Phalaenopsis. If you are unsure of the type of orchid you have (maybe you received it as a gift or it was bought from somewhere that provided limited information), there are plenty of resources to help you identify it. Orchids have been revered for hundreds of years, so there are plenty of books written about them and websites and forums dedicated to their growth and variations.
Watering
You need to pay attention to making sure your orchid has the proper hydration level. Orchids can suffer much damage and disease if watered incorrectly or too frequently. Diseases such as crown rot and infected roots can be the end of your plant if you don't notice it early enough. The key to making sure your orchid is hydrated perfectly is never water it from above. Instead, you will need to soak the plant (it will need to be in a pot with holes for drainage, aeration, and to be able to absorb effectively) for at least thirty minutes, depending on the size of the plant, and then ensure that it is then drained incredibly well. The leading cause of root rot in orchids is them being in standing water, and if the roots begin to rot, the plant has no way of receiving its necessary nutrients. Watering from the top of the plant is the leading cause of crown rot. Crown rot is when the plant's base (or crown) has too much moisture on it or nearby. If you have mistakenly watered your orchid from above, you can recover from this. Use a paper towel to soak up as much of the water as possible to prevent rotting.
There are many orchid fertilisers available, and it is recommended to use these as part of your watering schedule. You will need to research which is the best fertiliser for the variety of orchids you have and follow the instructions carefully.
Soil & flowering
The majority of orchids are epiphytic plants which means they grow on other plants and not in soil. Due to being epiphytic, these plants require a specific orchid potting mix rather than any ordinary potting soil you may use for other plants and flowers. You can use moss on top of your soil or as part of your orchid potting mix to maintain moisture, but make sure you keep a close eye on this as too much humidity can cause issues with rotting.
If you are buying your first orchid, you may be tempted to buy one that is entirely in bloom. While this may look great, you will only have a limited time to enjoy the beautiful flowers. Try to opt for an orchid that has not yet bloomed but has plenty of healthy-looking buds. Once your orchid has flowered, you can encourage regrowth in several ways. Orchids generally bloom every six months to twelve months. You can promote blooms by placing your orchid at a cooler temperature and gradually increasing temperature and hydration. Trim under the second or third node of your orchid, depending on its size, to encourage a flower stem.
As with growing any plant or flower successfully, you need to make sure you keep a close eye on any changes. These changes will tell you whether there is a lack of balance in their water, nutrients, or sunlight. You will get to know your plant's needs the more you pay attention to it.