Orchid
Preferences
Humidity
Orchids
prefer about 60% humidity. This is best achieved by either purchasing
humidity
tray or filling
saucers or a tray with rocks and water underneath and around
the Orchid. This is very important, unless you will be growing
your orchid in a greenhouse.
Light
and Air
Indoor
orchids prefer anywhere from no direct light to most of the
day - choose an orchid with the links from this page about different
orchids to choose the one that's right for you. Ventilation
is also very important - either open a window or turn a fan
on - this makes the orchid happier and decreases your chance
of getting bugs or bacteria. If your Orchid is grown in a greenhouse
you
will have very much control over your care environment.
Watering
Lift your
Orchid
to tell when to water. If it is light, bring it to the sink
or bring your watering can over and water. Filtered water is
good but not necessary. You can also test with a pencil that
you have sharpened. If you push the pencil down into the Orchid
mix about one inch, when it comes out you can tell how much
moisture is in the mix depending on the color of the shaved
pencil. If it has absorbed much water, then your Orchid still
has water in the mix, and if it comes out light in color, there
is not much moisture in the mix.
Fertilizing
Fertilize
with a very weak solution often. Make sure every 3-4 waterings
to water without fertilizer or you may get fertilizer buildup,
resulting in health problems for the plant.
Temperature
This is a
biggie! Some like it warmer than others. Some like it cooler.
If your Orchids get too hot during the day, water and mist them.
Potting and Repotting
Pot or repot
every 1-2 years. One good way to tell when to repot is that
the mix the plant is in is very old. When repotting various
kinds of Orchids it is best to use various kinds of Orchid
potting bark.
You
can find pots, Orchids and more here that we recommend.
Pests
It is possible
to go either the natural route for pests or the unnatural route.
Getting a bottle of some kind of spray you look up after identifying
what pest you have. The natural route it to clean and repot
the plant, use dish soap mixed in with a lot of water and spray
it, or a light amount of bleach. There are lots of home remedies.
The best id circulation, and not bringing your plant outdoors
then indoors.
Important
Orchid Care Tip
When
an Orchid is done flowering, cut the flower spike about 1"
up from the base and it should rebloom again if taken care of
well.
What
Kind of Orchid to Grow
If you're a beginning orchid
grower we'd recommend starting with a Phalaenopsis
Orchid. Our second choice for a plant to start with
is a Dendrobium
Orchid. Both of these Orchids generally bloom for
about 3 months once or twice a year!
Beyond that, there are
many wonderful Orchids to grow, with flowers lasting anywhere
between 1-2 weeks and many months depending on the Orchid, so
read on to decide which Orchid fits you and you, your environment,
and what you're ready for.
After you go through this
website, there are many excellent we can books
recommend if you want more
information.
Our Favorite Books
The two most informative overall Orchid Books that we recommend are Orchid Grower’s Companion: Cultivation, Propagation, and Varieties and Flora's Orchids.
Continue to Orchid Care Page 2 >>
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