How to Care for an Orchid Plant

Orchids belong to the largest flowering plant family of flowering plants. The orchid family, which is called orchidaceae, has thousands of hybrids, more genera and more species than botanists can find and name. These tropical flowers bloom once a year and flourish in sunlight and humidity. When they bloom, they can stay in bloom for months. Keeping your orchid happy is only a matter of caring for it.

Light Requirements

Orchids can flourish indoors or outdoors if given the correct lighting. Orchids like to stay between 70 to 90 degrees F, which makes them ideal for people because they like to be in the mid-70s. Orchids growing outside need hours of direct sunlight but not complete sunlight. Plant them in a place where they will get partial shade during the day as well as direct lighting. Inside orchids should be near lights.

Water Requirements

Orchids require minimal water to flourish, which is usually once a week. They are like cacti, and they should only be watered when the soil becomes arid and completely dry. Veins inside the orchid store water and distribute it as needed throughout the plant. In spring and summer, when the orchid is growing, you will have to water it more often, but during dormant times, less water is required. Make sure you water the orchid with room-temperature water.

Humidity

The trickiest part of growing orchids is managing the humidity level. Orchids need to be kept in 50 to 70 percent humidity to flourish. Outside, this is not a trial during the spring and summer, but inside, it can be a problem. To keep humidity up for your orchid while growing it inside, get a tray, put pebbles in it and run water over the pebbles. The water will evaporate, keeping in humidity.

Potting Requirements and Mixes

Orchids grow best in terra cotta pots or baskets. Terra cotta pots help the orchid hold in water, and baskets help aerate the soil. When potting an orchid, you can choose from various kinds of mixes, including regular potting soil or bark mixtures. Orchids take nutrients from the potting mixtures and barks as they break down. The important thing to remember when deciding what mixture to use is to know if it provides the drainage and aeration essentials for all varieties of orchids.

Use fine grain mixes for seedlings and young orchids because the breakdown of the mixture speeds up growth and provides the required nutrients. As the seedlings grow, replant them, changing out the mixture. The mixture will reduce aeration around the orchid, so you have to replant it. As the orchid grows, you can move to a larger grade of mixture, which lets in the air and drainage that is essential to any orchid. Bark mixtures will generally be made from kiln-dried fir bark. Moss can serve as an alternative to bark.

References

• Aloha Orchid Nursery