When it comes to orchids and house plants, you’re talking about a huge favourite. Currently, there are over 25,000 species of orchid and over 100,000 species of hybrids. And growing orchids is certainly not a difficult task. If the proper care is given, an orchid will thrive. The right amount of watering, light and air conditions, potting media, and fertilizer is all that’s needed. A large proportion of orchids do like the cooler conditions but there are some that prefer temperatures between 75¬∞ and 85¬∞ Fahrenheit (24¬∞ and 29¬∞ Celsius).
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The Phalaenopsis orchid is extremely common and also very easy to grow and can the thing that makes it so popular is that it can be found in the home or office environment. Each orchid species has a different length of time for the flowers to bloom. The Phalaenopsis, for instance, has a bud where the sprays will bloom for 2 to 3 months when it opens, whereas the Cattleya will bloom for up to a month or so when its’ bud opens. Some species of orchid will bloom just the once a year, others will bloom several times a year and yet others will simply bloom continuously.
Some orchids possess an amazing fragrance – another reason they are so popular. Others though, have quite a subtle aroma and then others can be very strong. A wide array of scents has been described for orchids – some can smell like chocolate or coconut and others can have a fruity or flowery smell.
When it comes to growing an orchid, the best results can be had by using potting bark. Standard potting soil isn’t recommended because it actually blocks the circulation of oxygen to the roots and also impedes the draining of water. Another good potting medium is a product from New Zealand called sphagnum moss. If you do use sphagnum moss, then you can quite safely water your orchid once every 7 to 10 days. For potting bark, when it’s completely dry, you’ll know that your orchid needs to be watered. Or just watering it once every 1 or 2 weeks will be sufficient. During the hot season, the orchid will probably need to be watered more often – usually every 4 to 5 days. Good advice to follow is this – the more heat it’s exposed to, the more water it will need to be replenished.
Orchids are generally going to need a reliable source of light that isn’t too strong, depending on the species, of course. Orchids are native to the tropical areas of earth and are used to being exposed to good amounts of sun and shade – this is why having an orchid in a window that faces east is the best location for it – because it will then get the right amount of light and shade. If your orchids’ leaves are turning yellow or wilting, then you will know it’s getting too much sun. But it could also mean that it’s not getting enough sustenance. In the weeks that that an orchid is not being watered it should be fertilized. And remember to water your orchid before using fertilizer if the potting you’re using has dried out.
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