subject: Information About Orchids And Growing Stunning Specimens [print this page] Orchids have a solid reputation for being such a beautiful flower and are a favorite for many. There are a variety of different species that are natural (over 25,000 species) and even a larger number of hybrids to choose from (over 100,000). A few fundamental orchid growing tips such as watering, potting medium, sunlight exposure and fertilizer will help you on your way to having stunning orchids quite easily. A large proportion of orchids do like the cooler conditions but there are some that prefer temperatures between 75 and 85 Fahrenheit (24 and 29 Celsius).
One of the easiest, and most popular, orchids to grow is the Phalaenopsis. This is because it can adjust quite easily to more than one environment. Each orchid species has a different length of time for the flowers to bloom. The Phalaenopsis typically blooms for 2 to 3 months which is much longer than some other species. For example, the Cattleya orchid will bloom for only about a month or so. Other orchid species flower just a few times a year, yet others several times, while still others will bloom continuously.
Orchids smell wonderful - a big reason they are so well regarded. Some orchids have an astounding fragrance, yet other species have a subtle aroma to others being quite strong. The scents can range from flowery to fruity and some possess easily recognizable aromas such as coconut or chocolate.
Don't use standard potting soil for orchids because it blocks the circulation of air to the root system and also the draining of the water. To achieve the optimum results when growing orchids, use potting bark. An alternative is sphagnum moss which is grown in New Zealand. The preferred watering method is keeping it to once each 1 or 2 weeks. Or when the potting bark is bone-dry. Your orchid plant may need to be watered more often during summer generally every 4 to 5 days. A simple rule to follow is this: the more heat your orchid is exposed to, the more water you should provide it. And the less heat it receives, the less frequent watering can be. If you are using sphagnum moss then you can quite safely water your orchid every 7 to 10 days.
Orchids are generally going to depend on a good light source, according to which species you own. Orchids are native to the tropical areas of earth and are used to being exposed to good amounts of sun and shade this is why having an orchid in a window that faces east is the best location for it. This will assure you that it is receiving the correct amount of light and shade that it requires. If the leaves of your plant are wilting or beginning to turn yellow, it is getting too much light. You'll then need make sure that it gets more shade than sun for a while. But the yellowing of orchid leaves could also mean it's low in nutrients. The fertilizing routine becomes critical if this is the case. Your orchid should be fertilized in the weeks that it's not being watered. A big tip to remember is that if the potting bark has totally dried out, water your orchid before applying any fertilizer.
