How to Care For Orchids

Orchid (Orchidaceae) is one of the most popular indoor plants, producing impressive blooms during the flowering season and bright green foliage all year round. Plants can live up to 15 years with proper care, and while they’re notoriously difficult to care for, we’ve got all the tips to keep your orchid happy and blooming on time.

The most important thing when choosing an orchid is to choose one that suits the conditions of your home, as some orchids can grow in darker or brighter light conditions and at different temperatures. Choosing the right orchid for your environment is the key to beautiful blooms and successful growth.

Related: Learn to care for the Pilea plant, Calathea, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Golden Pothos, Snake plant, Rubber tree, Monstera plant, Christmas cactus, and Pearl plant.

How often should I water my orchid?

Overwatering is a common mistake in caring for orchids. Orchids don’t like being in damp water. Therefore, after watering thoroughly, wait until it is almost dry before watering again. Check the moisture level by sticking your finger into the soil border of the plant and water again when the top few inches of soil feel dry.

If you don’t let the plant dry completely, root rot can occur if the soil is too wet, which can kill the plant. It is best to water early in the day so that the plant has time to dry before nightfall. You also want to ensure that no water remains in the crown or leaf base of the plant after watering, so tilt the plant on its side over the sink to allow any standing water to drain away.

More orchids die from overwatering than from lack of water, but too little water can cause “accordion growth,” where the leaves grow in accordion-like folds.

Container with drain hole To keep your orchid healthy, be sure to throw away any excess water left in the saucer after watering, as excess water will drain out the bottom.

How much sunlight do orchids need?

Most orchids prefer bright, indirect light, so place them near a sunny spot, but avoid direct sunlight (south or east facing windows are best).

Some species enjoy bright to low light conditions, so it’s a good idea to check the light needs of the species you’re purchasing. Insufficient light often prevents orchids from flowering, so it is important to pay attention to the needs of the variety.

Popular highlight orchids: Vanda, cymbidium, cattleya, epidendrum, dendrobium and brassabora orchids all prefer more light.

Popular medium-light orchids: Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium can grow in medium light environments.

Popular low light orchids: Phalaenopsis, Miltonia, Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Masdevallia, Bulbophyllum and Encyclia all prefer low light conditions.

Should I fertilize my orchid plant?

To achieve optimal growth, you can use: All-purpose fertilizer Dilute to half strength or follow instructions. orchid fertilizer Once a week during the growing season (spring and summer). You may want to stop fertilizing in the winter as plant growth slows down, but overall fertilizing should increase the health and beauty of your plants.

Orchid temperature and humidity

Different orchid species have different preferred temperature ranges, but orchids grow best between 50 degrees and 90 degrees. They prefer humidity levels of about 40% to 70%.

Orchids are usually comfortable enough indoors, but keep them away from vents and cold crevices to reduce temperature shock. If you live in USDA zones 5 through 11, you can keep your orchid outdoors. Be sure to bring it indoors when nighttime lows drop below 55 degrees.

Orchids prefer high humidity, so you can use a humidifier nearby (especially if the air is dry) or simply fill a tray with pebbles and water and place the pot on top. Simply add water just below the top of the pebble, and the pot will sit on top of the stone, allowing the water in the tray to evaporate and create moisture around the plant.

The preferred temperature of orchids varies depending on the species, so plants fall into one of the following categories:

• nice: 60-70 degrees during the day and 50-55 degrees at night.
• Intermediate: 70-80 degrees during the day and 55-65 degrees at night.
• warm: It’s 80-90 degrees during the day and 65-70 degrees at night.

Tip: Orchids like high humidity, so warm, humid weather will help them bloom longer. Therefore, the bathroom can also be a good place for orchids, provided there is enough light.

orchid pruning

Different types of orchids require slightly different pruning methods, but pruning generally allows the plant to devote more energy to blooming.

For all pruning, be sure to use clean, sterile shears or pruning shears to make the cuts and remove dead flowers and dead stems as needed after the flowering cycle to concentrate the plant’s energy to produce new flowers again. I will make it possible.

Replanting orchids

We recommend waiting until the orchid has finished flowering before repotting. Being an epiphyte (a plant that grows on the surface of another plant), orchids do not particularly like wet soil conditions, so you need to make sure you have a suitable soil for your orchid formulation.

When choosing soil for orchids, it is usually a mix of bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, perlite, or peat, as it is preferable to use a lightweight, well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Soil mixture specifically for orchids. Orchids will grow much better in this type of well-draining soil than in standard potting mix (be sure to choose potting soil). Pot with drainage hole to drain excess water).

To repot your orchid:

1. Soaking the roots in water for 10 minutes will soften them and make them more flexible when repotting.
2. Carefully remove the orchid from its old container and cut off any dead or wilted leaves and flowers with a sterile knife.
3. Place the orchid in a new, slightly larger pot and fill the empty space with new orchid medium.
4. Water as needed and provide plenty of light until roots develop. If the plant is drooping, clip to stake This is to keep you upright as you grow stronger.

The best pot options for orchids are:

• Clear plastic pot: Advantages of transparent pot iOrchid roots can photosynthesize using incoming light, and the soil will darken when it is wet and lighten when it dries, allowing you to see how much water is left in the roots and pot.
• Terracotta pot: The clay that makes up terracotta pot They are more breathable than glazed ceramic pots, so the soil dries faster.
• Orchid pot: these unique pot Small holes or slits on the sides promote airflow and prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged.

orchid breeding

Orchids are very difficult to grow from seed, so division is the best way to propagate orchids.

1. Carefully remove the orchid from its existing pot.
2. Inspect the roots and remove any that look plump or unhealthy using a sterile knife.
3. Divide the orchid into two plants by carefully separating the roots and plant each in a new pot with fresh orchid soil.
4. Water the plant as needed and give it plenty of light until it takes root. If the plant is drooping, clip to stake This is to keep you upright as you get stronger.

How can I get my orchid to bloom again?

Depending on the species, most orchids bloom at least once a year, with gorgeous blooms lasting two to four months.

Water is very important for orchids to bloom. If your orchid isn’t blooming, try giving it more water in the spring or just before it’s scheduled to bloom. There are also varieties such as Phalaenopsis Orchids need cooler temperatures at night to encourage flowering, so if the night temperatures are above 55 degrees, you can leave them outside for a few nights to enjoy the cool air.

Overall, if you take good care of your orchid with proper watering, proper temperature, humidity, fertilizer, and orchid-friendly soil, you can enjoy blooms every year and beautiful green foliage in the off-season. Masu.

different types of orchids

When it comes to orchids, there are 30,000 wild species and over 100,000 hybrids, so there’s plenty to choose from. Although not all of these are available at your local flower store, the most popular houseplant varieties are:

• Corsage orchid (Cattleya): These orchids are native to Costa Rica and are often used in corsages for special occasions. Also known as the “queen orchid,” it comes in a wide variety of colors and shapes.
• Vanda Orchid (Vanda genus): Native to Southeast Asia, these orchids prefer damper, brighter areas of your home. You can enjoy summer outside before winter brings you indoors.
• Dancing Lady Orchid (oncidium): The stunning yellow flowers of this variety look like dancers twirling in their skirts. In addition to their impressive appearance, some varieties have very fragrant, sweet-smelling flowers.
• Boat run (cymbidium): These plants are known for their large, long-lasting flowers. It has multiple flower spikes to produce more flowers and is one of the oldest garden orchids in the world, having been cultivated in China for thousands of years.
• Phalaenopsis (Phalaenopsis): Also known as “beginner’s orchids,” these orchids are among the easiest to grow, with thick leaves, long blooms, and single-stemmed flowers with thick oval leaves. Flowers are often pink, white, purple, or a combination of the three colors.
• Cane Orchid (Dendrobium): In Southeast Asia, these orchids are popular and one of the largest of the group. They are divided into two groups, hard canes and soft canes, and usually have purple or white flowers.

Diagnosing common problems

• Droopy or yellow leaves: If your orchid is overwatered and becomes waterlogged, the leaves may turn yellow. Wait until the plant is almost completely dry before watering it again. This can cause leaves to droop, but in some cases it can also be a sign that the plant needs a brighter spot.
• pest: Orchids aren’t prone to many pests, but if your plants are infested with spider mites, mushroom gnats, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, thrips, or whiteflies, keep them for a bit. neem oil or some insecticidal soap Be on hand to fight pests.
• Fallen bud: If your orchid is shedding buds before flowering, the plant may be near drafts, over- or under-watered, needs more humidity, or near fruit-bearing fruit. You’ll have to do a little research to find out. Turn off the ethylene gas.
• Wrinkled leaves: If the leaves are wrinkled or shriveled, this is usually a sign of lack of water, so water the plant, check the water level often, and wait until the plant has dried out for a while before watering again. Please make sure you have nothing to do.