subject: Growing Orchids Is Not Just For The Rich Or Pro Gardeners, But For Everyone (including You) [print this page] It can be almost overwhelming to enjoy all of the plants that exist in nature. Their blossoms are so beautiful that we learn how to bring them into our homes so that we can enjoy them whenever we want. Some plants appear to be so delicate that we think that they are difficult to care for, so we don't even consider trying to grow them. Growing orchids is a lot easier than you may think, so next time you see that beautiful bloom, stop and pick it up.
Orchids can very easily be cross-bred, and this is fabulous because it will create new shapes of blossoms and colors even brighter or more extreme than its parent plants had. Years ago, it was thought that the orchid could only be owned and cared for by the rich. Thank goodness that it was discovered that anyone can own and care for orchids; now we all can enjoy the romance of orchids in our own homes.
Once you have chosen the blossom of your desire and it is now in your home or office, the responsibility of caring for your orchid is all yours. Don't worry; it is easier than you think. One of the best "rules" to follow is remember the environment where you found your orchid. Was it inside and in indirect lighting? Was there a window, or just fluorescent lights? This will give you a clue as to where you can grow orchids in your home or office.
Choosing the right place is not that difficult; just make sure that the plant is not in direct sunlight, it's not near a cold draft and that it's not next to a heat vent, either. Orchids love light, but if it gets too much or not enough light it won't be happy. A clue to watch for is that if the leaves turn from a sort of grass green to either a yellowy or dark green color, then you will need to move your plant.
One of the things that most of us tend to do more often than we care to is to over-water our plants. Orchids come from various environments throughout the world, so the environment that a particular species needs to be in can vary from one species to another. As with any plant, orchids require water, and the length of time between waterings can vary, depending upon the soil the orchid has been placed in, the lighting, and the room temperature. A good way to water is to add water to the pot over the sink until the water runs out the bottom. One way to determine when it is time to water again is by inserting a pencil or wooden dowel down into the dirt and then removing it. Determine where the water line is, and that is how you will know if it is time to water again or not.
As you have learned so far, caring for orchids is easier than you probably thought it would be. Let's discuss several other aspects of growing orchids: we should discuss temperature as well as fertilization. The temperature of the room in which the orchid should be placed should be preferably in the mid-70s (low 20s Celcius). Orchids like it just right, not too hot and not too cold. With regard to fertilization, you can simply add a fertilizer stick or add fertilizer to the water. Whether you choose to use liquid or granular fertilizer, follow the directions on the label and you won't have any problems.
