Orchids have become one of the most popular home plants very quickly. There are a lot of different orchid species that can be found naturally and even a greater quantity of hybrids. Contrary to what many people think, orchids are not difficult to grow with the proper amount of care including water, light, fertilizer and air. While some orchid species do enjoy being in cooler conditions, several species do very well in temperatures that are about 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many people like growing their orchids at home or at the office (and who doesn't?). For that purpose, the Phalaenopsis species is very suitable, since its adaptability to the indoor environment is remarkable. Besides, a specimen of Phalaenopsis may remain in full bloom for about two months, whereas other species, like the Cattleyas orchids can display its flowers for one month at the most.
One of the most important things to take into account for the proper care of your orchid is the amount of water it needs. Imagine your orchid in its natural environment with tropical rain and high humidity level. This will already give you a good idea of your plant's needs. If you wish to grow your orchid plants outdoors, you should know that watering your orchid once a week is a good rule. Nevertheless, if you live in a dry place, you may want to water your orchid twice or even three times a week, but always sparingly.
Two other factors that you should take into account when growing your orchid plants are light and temperature conditions. Natural habitats for orchids are usually tropical countries. They naturally grow in warm places and also in "virgin forests". Therefore, and although the ideal temperature can vary depending on the species, we may say that almost all orchid plants use to enjoy a good deal of daylight and thrive in a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. As for the night, when outdoors, it is not convenient for your orchid to stay under 50 degrees Fahrenheit On the other hand, if you grow your orchid indoors, it is a very good practice to place the plant at the eastern looking window to avoid the hard rays of the afternoon sun.
