The Main Points of Caring for Orchids

Orchids are a beautiful flower that work great as a potted plant that sits on the porch or to grow to make wonderful cut flower arrangements.  They do require some special care to ensure that they are growing right and stay free of problems.

They grow very slowly so they make a better houseplant then growing outdoors.  They require constant care and it is important not to neglect your orchids.

Caring for orchids involves attention to repotting, soil, light, water, temperature, fertilizer and pruning.  It may seem like a lot of work, but it is well worth it to grow these beautiful flowers that will add a striking look to your home.

Repotting is a part of caring for orchids that is done yearly.  It is done to help accommodate the orchids growth.  Orchids should be repotted in a larger pot size then what it is currently in.  It is a big mistake to try to jump a few pot sizes.  This will not help the orchids growth and can, actually, hinder it. 

To repot the orchid you should fill the 2/3 of the way with soil.  Set the orchid in the center with its roots spread about the soil.  Then fill the pot with dirt and water it nicely.

The soil you use for an orchid should be very organic.  Orchids like to grow in an organic soil that will offer it a lot of nutrients.  The soil needs to drain good, but it also needs to be able to retain some moisture.  There is special orchid soil on the market that is perfect, but any kind that meets the specifications will work.

Lighting needs of the orchid call for a lot of sun.  Since you will likely be growing your orchid inside this means making sure it is near a sunny window. If you need help choosing a location then you need to choose a window facing the south.  This will allow the orchid to get the best morning and afternoon sunlight.  

However, if you live in an area that experiences occasionally gloomy days or has periods where there is not a great amount of sunlight then you can use artificial lighting.  Florescent lights work well for an orchid.  They will respond to it as they do sunlight.

Like any plant, orchids need water to grow.  They need enough water to be hydrated but not too much that it starts to cause problems.  The pant should be watered so the soil is completely moistened, but there is no standing water left in the pot.  It should be watered whenever the soil dries out.  

Orchids are tropical plants who like warmth and humid conditions during the day and cool nights.  It may be helpful to keep your orchid in a room by itself where you can lower nighttime temperatures to around 55 to65 degrees.

Fertilizing is easy.  You can simply follow the directions on the package.  Orchids do best with a 20-20-20 mix or a specialize orchid mix of 30-10-10.

Lastly in caring for orchids you need to know about pruning.  You need to remove dead material and help the plant keep a good general shape.  It is best to prune one time a year to work the plants shape.  This is best done in the fall when the plant has died over for the winter.

Caring for orchids is something that requires dedication.  After some practice and getting used to doing it, though, it really is not that hard.  Caring for orchids has a wonderful payoff of a beautiful flower that you can show off and be proud of.