Planning On Growing Orchids But Don’t Know Much About Orchid Care Follow These Simple Tips

Orchids expect a different manner of care than common houseplants because they are a completely different variety of plant. As you grow your own orchids, consider these valuable tips:

The Right Amount Of Light Is An Important Orchid Care Ingredient

If I had to give you only one imperative orchid care tip, it would be to provide your orchid with the correct amount of light. If your plant doesn’t get sufficient light, blooming will be limited, or it may prevent the plant from flowering all together. An indication of when your orchid is not getting enough light  is when the color of the leaves exhibit a very dark green. Too much light, however, will cause the leaves to burn and will subsequently impair the plant. Again, the leaves can offer a clue. An orchid receiving too much direct sunlight will result in the leaves turning a yellowish-green or red color. With the desirable amount of light, your orchid leaves will exhibit a bright green.

For optimal light, provide a filter between the sun’s direct rays and your orchid. You can do this by placing your orchid on a windowsill that gets direct light and draping see-through curtains on the window to diffuse the light somewhat. Feeling the leaves is also a good way of telling if your orchid is acquiring the right amount of light. If the leaves feel warm to the touch, furnish more light diffusion. Move your orchid to a new place where it will get more light if the leaves feel somewhat cooler to the touch.

Feed Your Orchid the Right Type and Amount Of Fertilizer

Giving too much fertilizer to an orchid is uncharacteristic of how the specie acquires its nutrition in the wild. Too much of a good thing can burn your orchid’s roots and delay its flowering. In the wild, an orchid will get its nutrients from rain water that flows into its roots. Nutrients are picked up by rain water that flows through rotting vegetation, including leaves and the bark of trees where most orchids make their habitation. The nutrient lush rain water then feeds the roots of the orchid.

The orchid’s nutritional needs are dissimilar from common houseplants and most crops. Accordingly, don’t use fertilizers that are prepared for crops or houseplants. These types of fertilizers contain urea, a compound that’s ideal for houseplants but lethal for orchids.

A special fertilizer formulated just for orchids is required that contains basic ingredients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Roots Are The Source Of Your Orchid’s Health

A chief requirement for the roots of your orchid is to have good air circulation around them. Get rid of rotted roots with a blade that has been sterilized. Using sterilized tools for cutting is necessary to eliminate the risk of spreading infection from other plants to your orchid. After cautiously removing the old mix, add fresh potting mix in a new pot slightly larger than the old one. To get a look at your orchid roots without removing the plant from its pot, use a clear plastic or glass pot. An orchid’s first duty is to assure that the roots, including the bulbs, are well established before it can concentrate on producing beautiful flowers.

Orchid care is not rocket science, but you must understand the conditions that make orchids grow into the exotic beauties they are.