How to Take Care of an Orchid

Want to keep your orchid happy and flowering? Or do you have an orchid that has lost its flowers and needs to be rejuvenated? This article is for you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An Orchid
• A Spray Bottle
• Orchid food (optional)

1. Put your orchid next to a window that gets plenty of sun. Be careful in wintertime to make sure that your orchid is not exposed to a cold draft.

2. Mist the leaves and flowers of your orchid every morning or early afternoon.

3. Water your orchid with a shot-glass full of water every five days. You may need to do this more frequently in extremely hot weather, but make sure that you do not over or under water, as this can cause your orchid leaves to turn yellow and flowers to fall off. You should never go more than a week without watering your orchid.

4. There are some fertilizers made specifically for orchids. I use Schultz Orchid Food with my orchids. You mix it directly with the water and fertilize your orchid every time you water it.

Tips & Warnings

• In the winter, or in other dry climates, put a humidifier close to your orchids in addition to misting.
• Do not give up on an orchid that has lost it's flowers. Cut off the old stalk and care for it as described above.
• Have patience. Orchids are slow growers, do not get discouraged.
• Orchid roots will sometimes grow above the surface of the dirt. Do not trim or bury these. An orchid's roots will absorb needed nutrients and water from the air.

[shenandoah]

on 7/2/2009 Nice! Perfect timing, my orchid needs resusitation (~.~)