Fabulous Advice On Orchid Care And Maintenance Just For You And Your Orchid

It’s a well conceived opinion that orchids require professional care, but this is simply a myth that’s being crushed as more and more people are effectively growing these exotic plants. I believed this to be true in my early days of growing flowers, but by following fundamental orchid rules, I became an accomplished orchid grower.

Here are a few of my best tips for orchid care and maintenance that you need to know to assure your orchid’s health and beauty year-after-year:

Re-pot Your Orchid After Purchasing

When you bring your new orchid home from your garden center or nursery, you will be required to re-pot it in fresh potting mix to help prevent the spread of possible disease. Position your new orchid in a location away from your other houseplants for about one week before re-potting. Use any type of pot you like; however, use only a pot that has adequate holes at the bottom for proper water drainage, and that the pot is not too large for your orchid.

Orchids are not quick growing plants, but they necessitate re-potting about every two years as they outgrow their old container.

The Right Potting Mix Is Crucial

Unlike most plants, orchids do not grow in compact ground soil. Many well known species of orchids grow on trees in tropical climates around the world. As a result, orchid roots make the bark of these trees their dwelling. Other favorite habitats for orchids to grow are in rocks and organic material that allow the orchid’s root to attract plenty of water, yet have enough ventilation to totally dry out.

As such, you need to select a potting mix that emulates the orchid’s natural environment; one that gives the roots good ventilation and respectable water drainage.

Determine The Best Spot To Place Your Orchid

Proper orchid care and maintenance also requires that you situate your orchid in a fitting location of your home. Place your orchid near a window that provides lengthy periods of slightly diffused sunlight. An orchid’s natural surroundings is one that provides about 12 hours of sunlight, but moderately diffused because of the branches from trees and other near-by foliage. In the summer you can open your windows, or else use a small fan to provide a light breeze. Again, in the wild, orchids prefer a good circulation of air to allow the roots to dry out before getting wet again from a torrential rain.

Find The Correct Temperature

Orchids, like us, prefer temperatures around 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-30 degrees Celsius). They can withstand temperatures that are somewhat warmer and colder, but not for long-drawn-out periods. Providing these orchids have reasonable air flow and high levels of humidity, they can bear temperatures that are significantly warmer.

During the day, orchids produce energy through a process called photosynthesis and store this energy. As the sun sets and the temperature drops, this energy is released to the plant for its growth. This variation in temperature helps the plant to grow. It makes energy during the day and feeds at night.

Orchid Care And Maintenance Requires That Orchids Get Just The Correct Amount Of Water

In the tropics where most orchids call home, they get exceedingly soaked from torrential rains and may go without water for weeks depending on whether it’s the rain or dry season. As in the wild, give your orchid a good drenching to simulate a torrential rain, but make sure you let the water entirely drain from the bottom of the pot. It’s better to under water your orchid than to over water. Never let your orchid just sit in water. This will only cause the roots to rot, or fungus to grow.

Orchid care and maintenance is no more involved than maintaining common houseplants, it’s just different. Orchids have bred in exotic locations of the world for centuries. All they demand is to feel a little at home in the way you care for them.