Wild orchids are a thing of beauty, and if you ever get the opportunity to observe them growing in the wild it will be a sight you will never forget.
The sheer variety of species is mind boggling. The different shapes and colors give each wild orchid a unique look.
Decide beforehand if you will try to grow an orchid in your home or outside, as this will make a difference in the species you purchase.
The care that must be provided will depend largely on the habitat you choose for your orchid plants.
Although orchids have a reputation for being finicky and difficult to grow, they can be grown successfully. It does take patience and meticulous attention to detail.
Because of their amazing beauty, many find that just having the plants in the home can add grace and charm to their surroundings.
They can be a source of calm and pleasure to everyone that comes in contact with them. Many people find that they relieve the stress from a long day’s work just by being present in the room with them.
Although orchids that are growing in their natural habitat are often growing on a tree host, this is not necessary for indoor orchids.
It is extremely adaptable, but there are certain conditions that must be met if you are to be successful in growing orchids.
The reproduction process used by the orchid plant is ingenious. It “lures” insects to land on the flower. When the insect is resting on the flower, the orchid “signature” is attached to the insect. When the insect flies away, it has the markings from that particular orchid species.
Since there are over 35,000 species of orchids, everyone can find one that suits their fancy.
If you purchase an orchid from a florist, it will not last long. However, if you enjoy the beauty of the flower you purchased, you can take steps to grow your own orchids.
After reading the requirements for successfully growing orchids, look around your home for the right spot to put the plant.
It requires proper humidity and air flow. Exposure to wind or cold will kill the plant quickly.
If you put the plant in a place that is not conducive to its growth, you will quickly see the results in the plant’s characteristic. It will begin to wilt and the leaves will turn yellow or fall off.
Because orchids need a lot of humidity, a bathroom window is often the ideal placement for your plant.
You may kill a few orchids before you get the hang of it, but if you persist, you will be rewarded with a beautiful plant.
You can enjoy its beauty for many years, if you give it the proper care.
Recognize that the orchid is a delicate plant, and treat it accordingly. It can be a treasured addition to the plants in your home.
You have an endless variety to choose from, so make sure you purchase one that really appeals to you. Read what you can about caring it before you make the purchase.
Although each plant has some distinct characteristics, they also share some common similarities. They thrive in warm climates. Because of this requirement, orchids will not grow outdoors in most of the United States. They need tropical temperatures outdoors to thrive.
Here are some of the similarities you will find among the orchid plants. Most orchids grow best in a warmer temperature. Unless you live in a reasonably tropical zone you will not be able to grow orchids outdoors.
Don’t despair! You can usually find the right atmosphere somewhere in your home to successfully grow orchids.
With the right arrangement in your home, you will be able to grow many orchid plants.
As mentioned in a previous paragraph, they prefer above-average humidity. They must be protected from drafts, so don’t place them near the front or back doors of the house.
If you don’t have a window location that is suitable for your orchid, you can grow them under artificial lights. Most grow lights fit into traditional light sockets.
Just in case the orchid plant does not thrive under the natural light available in your home, you might want to have a light kit available.
Although growing an orchid may sound demanding, the needs are consistent. Once you have perfected the ideal conditions, your orchid should thrive for years to come.
There will be obvious indications if the condition is not conducive to optimum growth for your orchid. The plant may stay green and the leaves could have a healthy look, but the plant will not produce orchids if the proper conditions are not met.
If you observe this happening, you should consider another location for your plant. Continue trying different areas until the plant blooms.
If the plant refuses to bloom, no matter how hard you try to please it, you might need to re-pot the plant.
There are various reasons to choose a certain orchid plant. You might consider the color, the style of the bloom, or the fragrance.
Whatever your reason for choosing a certain species of orchid, you will find the plant will bring a lot of enjoyment and pleasure to your life.
Many people are attracted to the orchid plant from a local nursery or other plant store, and they decide to try their hand at growing them.
If a person has a “green thumb”, they will still find growing orchids that thrive are a challenge.
Sometimes people choose to grow them because they are challenging! If plants seem to thrive without personal care, the gardener may feel that their expertise isn’t needed.
When growing orchids, the gardener can feel a sense of achievement if the plants thrive.
Here are some tips that will give you a head start on keeping your orchid alive and well:
Sufficient and Consistent Watering – usually a routine of watering the plant every four to seven days is sufficient. They do seem to have different requirements during different growing seasons.
Fertilizer designed specifically for orchids is available. Read the directions on the label, and follow them explicitly.
Be prepared to replicate the natural growing conditions of the orchid plant. Some are hardier than others; choose a hardy species for your first attempt.
If you have had your plant for a while and it begins to look “puny”, it is time to re-pot. Remove all the old mix, wash all of the dirt off the roots, and trim off any roots that do not look healthy. Keep the size of the pot small in comparison to the plant. Orchids like to experience some crowding.
After re-potting, do not water the plant for several days. This will allow it to recover from the shock of being uprooted.
If your plant is growing in sphagnum moss, soak it in water before you wrap it around the roots. This will prevent air pockets.
Some plants only produce one flower; others have a prolific display of flowers from the same spike.
If the plant has finished flowering the spike should be cut away from the plant with a sharp pair of scissors or cutting shears.
Certain fungi or parasites are commonly found on orchid plants. Examine the plant carefully every few weeks. If you find a problem, treat it immediately.
Insufficient light is the most common reason orchid plants fail to bloom. The light needs to be filtered, but it should be bright.
If it is in a window sill, close the curtains when the light is really bright on the plant, or move the plant to a different location.
At least ten to fifteen hours of sunlight are required for an orchid plant to bloom. If your home does not provide this much light, the natural light can be supplemented by artificial light.
When the summer heat is radiating from the window, move the plant to a cooler place. When the winter chill is reflecting off the window, find a warmer spot for your plant. To keep the light source balanced, give the pot a one quarter turn each time it is watered.
A comfortable temperature for your plant is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep plants away from direct heat sources, such as heaters. Protect the plant from drafts caused by opening doors or fans.
In the wintertime, a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit will be sufficient. This is a dormant time for most orchid plants.
Use distilled water or natural rain water to soak your plants. Minerals found in hard water can be distressing to the orchid.
These minerals may also build up in the potting medium. This is also damaging to the plant.
You may have to resort to boiling the water to kill any contaminants.
Water your orchid plants at least once a week. If the potting medium feels dry to the touch, it needs watering.
Make sure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the water from sitting on the roots of the plant.
During periods when the plant is blooming, immerse the pot in water for about 30 minutes, and then drain it well. This can be done every other week during the summer.
Orchids thrive in a humid atmosphere. They need a humidity range of between 60 and 70 per cent. There are two different ways to achieve this humidity range.
You can put a bowl of water next to the orchid plant, or you can set the potted plant inside a dish filled with water and pebbles.
The pot and the roots should not be standing in water. You can put green florist foam in a pot, and then set the potted orchid inside the first pot.
The purpose of the foam is to absorb any excess water. Stagnated water is detrimental to the health of the plant.