Caring for Orchids
Throughout the years, orchids have earned a reputation as finicky, high maintenance plants. In reality, with just a little knowledge caring for orchids is as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Identify
Not all orchids have the same care requirements. With over 25,000 types of orchids, it can be daunting to choose and maintain one. First and foremost, identify the type of orchid you would like to grow based on your experience. The Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchid, the most common and inexpensive variety, is also one of the easiest to grow.
If you already have an orchid, or are planning on purchasing one, use a knowledgeable nursery or grower to ensure you are getting a properly identified plant so you can maintain it based on its specific needs.
2. Know the Basics
Most orchids are tropical, exotic plants. Like most tropical plants, they need light, humidity and the proper growing medium.
Light: Orchids prefer medium amounts of light, not direct sunlight. If choosing a windowsill, your best bet will be an east or west facing window.
Moisture: Many orchids are native to rainforests, they love humidity. Since the air in the home is drier than a rain forest, you’ll need to provide humidity to the air. The easiest way to do this is a pebble tray. Rather than placing your pot flat on a saucer, fill a small tray with pebbles. The moisture runoff from watering will settle in the pebbles and evaporate to generate humidity. It also helps keep the roots of the orchid from setting in too much moisture which will cause root rot.
An orchid should be watered thoroughly once or twice a week, depending on the weather. It’s watered more when it’s warmer, less when it’s cooler.
Soil/Medium: Unlike most plants, orchids do not grow in soil, but in the air. Their roots attach to trees or rocks where their spongy roots capture moisture and nutrients that wash over them. Therefore, you want to provide an environment similar to their native habitat, which means they don’t belong in regular potting soil. Pots of bark or moss are best for planting and growing orchids. There are specific potting mediums available on the markets that offer the best balance of bark and peat moss that will keep your orchid happy and healthy.
3. Maintain
You’re not always going to care for your orchid perfectly, it takes some fine tuning. If you start to notice issues, you need to make the changes to bring it back to health. Common problems that growers run into when caring for orchids are:
- Yellow leaves: Indicates too much light, a location change is necessary.
- Darkened leaves: Not enough light, change location or provide additional lighting.
- No flowers are produced: Conditions have to be just right for an orchid to bloom. Check the light level, moisture level and temperatures and adjust if necessary. Many orchids go dormant during certain times of the year, usually winter, and you can cut back on water and fertilizer during that time.
- Cottony spots on the foliage: This is caused by mealybugs. Kill them! Use rubbing alcohol and gently wipe down the leaves. Rinse with clean water.
With literally thousands of types of orchids to choose from, caring for any type of orchid can be broken down into these easy steps so you can enjoy it for years to come.
