subject: Caring for Amazing Orchids [print this page] Once there was some faith that orchid caring is a great deal of work with lot of problems. And that those orchids are only meant for the rich and high society people. Let us look at the fact of more than 24,000 species and 100,000 hybrids which certainly gives room for every body to enjoy the caring of orchids in a simple and easy way. There are a huge of orchids that might fit your lifestyle, budget and skill as an orchid hobbyist.
Most orchid types need the same work and time like any other garden or house plant. But of course, there are orchids that require special treatment and handling. When choosing an orchid type to care for, you should always seek for information on its specific requirement.
Orchid is probably one of the few plants with delicate and such beautiful flowers, which made them as an admired house plant. With your attentive care you probably can enjoy your orchid blooming and keeping them healthy for a long time. A well taken care orchid can bloom with an average of 3 months
The most common and popular type of orchid you might come a cross in your daily life is a Phalaenopsis. Indicated by their popular white and purple color, phalaenopsis are in fact easier to care compared to other types of orchids.
There are actually many other good choices of orchids, which are included in the "moth orchids" such as dendrobiums, cattleyas, oncidiums and vandas. This group of orchids is usually recommended for beginners.
When choosing an orchid plant, you should look for clean and shiny leaves, which are the initial signs of a well cared orchid. Then go further to see the roots. You may find some roots coming out of the mix like being exposed in the air. You should find healthy and plump, unbroken and not twisted roots. It is recommended that you always buy an orchid already blooming, just to make sure that you get the right type of orchid plant.
The best place to put your orchid is where it could receive enough sunlight during the day. Morning sunlight and afternoon shade is the best light intensity for the majority of orchids. Hence, the best spot to place your orchid is at the eastern side of your house, an east facing window for instance, should be the right spot.
Please be aware that too mach light will cause the yellowing of the leaves, while on the contrary, too little light will darken the green color of the leaves. Then the plant will look skinny and will not bloom. In case of insufficient natural daylight condition, you can substitute it with a fluorescent lamp which you should place about one foot above your orchid plant.
Orchids bloom best at temperatures between 15 - 25C. Orchids that are brought to places with a temperature over 35C will soon loose their buds and even stop blooming forever.
It is important to keep the flower stays moist, by spraying it with sufficient amount of water. Avoid over watering the roots, since this may kill the flowers. To maintain the required humidity you can use a room humidifier just to keep a moist area around your plant. Another way to keep humidity is using a humidity tray. This tray is simply placed under the orchid pot. The spill of watering will be caught by the tray. Then the spilled water will eventually evaporate which provides extra humidity to the plant.
If you like a long lasting blooming of your flower, you can use a fertilizer prior to the blooming of your orchid. When the flower blooms you need to stop the usage of the fertilizer. Long lasting blooming can also be done by orchid pruning while it's blooming. After a while you will see the developing of a second flower set.
Orchid caring is a matter of exercising the necessary amount of attention and good care. If you succeed you will be proud of owning an amazing orchid that you can enjoy for a couple of months.
