Easy Orchid Care
Looking for an easy orchid for the perfect flowering houseplant? There are several types of orchids that are easy-care and low-maintenance, despite their reputation to the contrary. The key to easy orchids is finding the right orchid for the right environment; and with the right information, this is not as difficult as the orchid’s finicky reputation suggests.
The key to orchid success, or that of many plants for that matter, is to understand their original habitat. The orchid is a tropical plant that does not grow in the ground, but typically anchors itself to trees or shrubs. It is for that reason that the potting medium, which for many houseplants is potting soil, is actually a lighter, airier substance such as tree bark.
Since orchids are like little sponges, meaning their roots grab whatever moisture and nutrients wash over them, they tend to hate overwatering. In fact, overwatering then letting the roots rot in the excess moisture, is a surefire way to kill an orchid quickly.
In general, there are two types of easy care orchids to choose for a flowering houseplant:
Phalaenopsis
The Phalaenopsis is an easy care orchid commonly called the Moth Orchid, as the flowers remind one of a moth in flight. While there are hundreds of types of Moth Orchids, in general their care requires:
- Light watering allowing the orchid to dry only slightly between watering. Since Phals, as their known in the orchid world, don’t have a method of storing water and nutrients except in the leaves, they should never be allowed to dry out completely;
- Humid conditions that can be simulated with a pebble tray with water to generate humidity;
- Bright, indirect sunlight – east windows are ideal, south and west facing windows are acceptable if proper shading prohibits sunburn inducing direct lighting. In cold, northern climates, southern exposure may be needed during the winter.
Dendrobium
Dendrobium orchids are easy care, but not as popular as the Moth Orchid. Dendrobiums tend to lose their leaves in the winter, while the Phalaenopsis orchids remain green throughout the year. Dendrobiums tend to have the same care requirements as the Moth Orchid during their growing phase, but since they also have a resting phase in the year, they should be watered less during that time.
There are some tried and true generalities that will help you identify the easy orchids that will thrive as houseplants;
- Orchids with thick, hard leaves tend to like more sun, the thinner-leaved orchids can handle less sunlight;
- Orchids that have white roots with green ends can handle drying out between watering, while orchids with brown roots tend to like a more moist environment and more frequent waterings;
- Orchids that have pseudobulbs, a swollen, bulbish stem, can handle drying between watering a bit more than other orchids, as the bulb stores water and nutrients for use.
Choosing an easy orchid for beginners is your best bet for your first investment in the orchid world. Learning their likes and dislikes, as well as what happens when they aren’t happy, is going to help any houseplant, even the orchid, pay off by flourishing and flowering with show-stopping results.
