Caring For Orchids Blog

 Learning how to care for an orchid may be one of the moredifficult aspects of gardening, but it is certainly one that yields fabulousrewards when you look at the end product. The very fact that so many peopleinvest so much time into learning how to care for an orchid should give you anindication of how satisfying it is to see your creation grow into it’s fullsplendour.

The first thing you need to recognise about learning howto care for an orchid is that you need to be open and honest with yourself,ready to listen to the correct advice concerning the growing of orchids. Youmust also recognise that this information can very often the area specific, soyou need to have a good relationship with your local gardening centre or evenjoin an orchid society where learning how to care for an orchid is a commontopic of conversation.

The next step in learning how to care for an orchidconcerns the Orchid pot, which must be carefully selected to allow maximum drainagewhilst also retaining sufficient moisture to help the plant thrive. One of thegreat risks in learning how to grow an orchid is that you become overzealous inyour care, over watering the plant causing us all to become soggy and damagingthe root system, thereby killing the orchid.

Another important aspect of learning how to care for anorchid involves the choice of soil, which is very often the cause of anorchid’s failure to thrive. You need to choose a soil which is full of theright sort of nutrients, and which also allows sufficient drainage. It is anexcellent idea to talk to others who know how to grow an orchid to make surethat you get the right advice when planting.

Learning how to care for an orchid also involves youlearning how to obtain the best possible exposure to the sun for yourparticular style of orchid. If you want to kill your orchid, there is no fasterway than exposing it to full midday sun with insufficient water! Although thecorrect amount of exposure to sun does vary from plant to plant, and species tospecies, as a general rule you need to expose the plant to some light,preferably filtered light, mainly in the morning to prevent any damage to theplant itself.

Learning how to care for an orchid may seem quitedaunting, but the real key is in finding the correct information for the styleof orchid you decide to grow stop rather than listen to friends and relatives,you are far better served by going to a local garden centre and talking toexperts, or joining a local branch of the orchid society and speaking to thosefor whom the growing of orchids is a passion.

It is clear that your choice of orchid pot, soiland plant itself are key elements in discovering how to grow an orchid.However, the most important element in the process, and the most essentialingredient in learning how to care for an orchid is obtaining the right adviceand acting upon it. If you listen carefully and seek advice from those who knowthen you can produce amazing and spectacular orchids that will be the envy ofall other gardens around you!

 Learning how to care for an orchid can be one of the mostrewarding pastimes you could ever pursue.  However, if you think that learning how togrow an orchid is easy, then you may find caring for them is a challenge thatrequires you to do some research, and talk to experts, in order to becomesuccessful.

Learning how to care for an orchid is not like simplegardening, partly due to the huge variety of orchids available for you tochoose from.  You do not merely throwthem in the ground and start praying for rain! Much of your success as an orchid grower is going to depend on yourpreparation and the amount you can learn about the care for an orchid.

The understanding of how to care for an orchid needs tobe enjoyed from the moment that you set out in your quest to become an orchidgardener.  Selecting the right Orchid potis important, because if you select a pot which does not have adequatedrainage, your ability to care for orchids will suffer.  Orchids do not like to be overwatered, and soit is important that you select an orchid pot to have adequate drainage.

Another aspect of learning how to care for an orchidwhich is overlooked is the potting mix or soil for orchids that you use.  This can be extremely dependent on the areain which you live, so make sure that you seek expert advice from your localgarden store, and don't cut back on this very important area of care fororchids.  Once again, if you make thewrong decision in the area of soil and nutrients, then your ability to groworchids will be seriously compromised.

If you are not sure how to care for an orchid, then oneof the first things that you must learn is how much you can, or cannot water them.  Indoor orchid care is especially difficult,because the rate of evaporation indoors is far less than outdoors, meaning thatif you over water the plant it takes a lot longer for the dampness toevaporate.  Having the right orchid pot helpsin this, but I would especially caution novice orchid growers against wateringtoo much!  Finding the correct balance ofwatering is critically important when you are learning how to care for anorchid.

Remember also that orchids like to have sunshine, butthey do not like to be subjected to the full sun in the middle of the day.  Once again, talk to your local garden expertsto find out exactly the requirements of your plant, bearing in mind that manyorchids actually grow in the shelter of rainforests.  If you know how to care for an orchid , youwill recognize that you must introduce them to the sun slowly, watching themcarefully and making sure that there is not wilting or burning of the leaves.

Caring for orchids requires time and dedication, and alsothe sort of knowledge that your local garden center can supply.  With a little research on the internet, and afew well chosen questions, you can learn how to care for an orchid in the bestpossible manner!

Orchids can
be stunning, fascinating and, at times, challenging to grow. After all, most
successes come with some degree of sacrifice and pain, and caring for orchids
is no exception.  However, we can make our
care for orchids far more complicated than it really is.

The key to
caring for orchids is to understand these magnificent plants, their background,
their needs and their vulnerabilities.

One huge and
very common mistake made when caring for orchids is over watering them.  I know you want to care for orchids
effectively, but when it comes to watering you need to curb your enthusiasm
somewhat!  You might think that when the
potting soil appears dry that the orchid needs to be watered, but you could not
be further from the truth.  You see, even
when the potting bark appears dry, the bark itself holds moisture like a
sponge, so if you want to care for orchids effectively, try watering only once
a week, and do so sparingly.

Light is

another key factor in caring for orchids, although the needs of each plant may
vary greatly.  If you want to care for
orchids, make sure they have a good amount of light, not direct sunlight but
diffused light.  A window facing east may
offer the luxury of cool, morning light whilst protecting them from the harsh
afternoon sun.  The ideal amount of light
is 10-12 hours a day is ideal, but you are better to reduce this amount rather
than place them in the direct sunlight of the blazing afternoon sun.

Caring for
orchids also means that you should provide an ambient room temperature which
suits them, and which resembles the tropical environment from which they originated.  So, keep the temperature between 20-30
degrees Celsius.  Remember, exposing your
orchid to hot or cold extremes for any length of time may cause damage.

Care for
orchids is not rocket science, and if you build your knowledge and skills, and
take the time to learn, you will find the experience easy and rewarding.  Set a good routine for watering and
fertilizing, find a great website, buy a great reference book  and take time to enjoy the “Caring for orchids”
journey.

 Orchids are stunningly beautiful, but you may not know
that they are one of the sturdy plants you can grow.

Phalaenopsis care sounds extravagant, but despite their
flower’s delicate appearance, many orchids happily thrive regardless of sub
standard care for orchids.

Caring for orchids, or phalaenopsis care if you want to
sound scientific, simply requires sensible and consistent care to yield the
most beautiful, exotic and romantic blooms imaginable, year after year for many
years to come!

There’s no need to be an experienced gardener or
horticulturalist to provide quality care for orchids, and you don’t need either
a greenhouse or a green thumb.  What you
primarily need is the following:

1. An Orchid Pot:

Failing to use the correct orchid pot means that you may
be very inclined to overwater your orchids, especially if you are new to the
hobby and care for orchids.   Letting your orchids sit in a waterlogged pot is
damaging to the plant, but a proper Orchid pot can compensate for this at least
to some degree.  The second part of the
equation, of course, is to limit carefully how much you water to only once a
week.

As you care for orchids, each time you water them use enough

water so that you can detect drainage form the base of the pot.  Also, if your orchids are growing in bark
mixes or pots, more frequent watering may be necessary.

2. The Proper Soil and Nutrients

Having the correct soil when caring for orchids is
essential, but it is not the full story! 
Phalaenopsis care involves giving your plants proper nutrients in order
that they might grow and produce large amounts of rich, vibrant flowers.  Nutrients like Nitrogen, Potassium, and
Phosphorus can make a world of difference in caring for orchids, but take care
so that you do not over fertilize them and harm the plants!

3. Pest Treatments

Like all plants, Caring for orchids involves actively deterring
pests and disease.  Things like the
scales, thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs can feed on leaves and flowers and
severely affect the appearance of your orchids. 
Ask your local grower for the best and most effective sprays.

4. Information-
   Lots of It!

The very best tool you can have for phalaenopsis care is
to obtain helpful, concise and easy to read information, such as that offered
on our website.  This will help you avoid
many mistakes, and provide a level of care for orchids which will manifest
itself as wonderful flowers in the months to come.

A love of orchids often begins with an orchid being given
to you as a gift, for a birthday or for Christmas.  However, being a living thing, caring for
orchids involves far more than putting it on a shelf, and sometimes the care of
orchids can seem overwhelming! 

So, if you are starting out, here are a few things to
consider…

Watering – Many people who are new to orchids commit the
classic mistake: they over water!  You
need to wait until your orchids are dry (but not completely dry) before you
water thoroughly.  To establish exactly
how dry tings are, check beneath the surface of your growing medium.  There is no absolute rules for watering,  but try to do it no more than once a week, unless
you are absolutely sure it is dry.

Temperature – Given that most orchids come from tropical
regions, where temperatures are regularly above 30 degrees Celsius, you need to
be careful with temperature.  Sure, some orchids
that can grow in the cold, but excessively cold temperatures can damage the
plant, causing yellowing of the leaves to the point where they will eventually
fall off.

Feeding Orchids – A common question in Caring for orchids
involves how you feed them.  You can use
either your own feed, or fertilizers that you can buy from the shop, but be
careful and seek the right advice. The best time to use orchid feed is in
spring, and you should never use them in the winter months.

Re-potting Orchids – If your caring for orchids is

becoming a success, you may see enough growth to require a re-pot.  Make sure you re-pot before new growth
appears on your orchid.

Light –  If you are
serious about the Care of orchids, you need to get enough light to your orchids,
without leaving them in direct sunlight all day. Getting the light right is
arguably the most critical factor in the Care of orchids, because if they don’t
get enough then they won’t bloom properly. Think about where you place you
orchid in relation to the light, and remember that as a general rule south
facing windows allow more light.

Humidity Levels – Most people never even consider these,
but bearing in mind the tropical origin of most orchids, complete caring for
orchids involves thinking about humidity. 
The good news is that it is easier than you would think!  Use a spray bottle to mist to ensure there is
enough moisture in the air of the room.

Caring for Orchids can also throw up other problems, such
as insects and diseases.  If this
happens, seek the advice or a local orchid expert, and make sure you clean your
orchids regularly to ensure they remain healthy.

Caring for orchids can be a hugely rewarding experience.
Once you start with your first orchid it is likely you will be hooked, and
eager to take caring for orchids to a higher level.  If you enjoy the experience, and don’t become
overwhelmed!  Don’t be daunted, after a
little more experience, caring for orchids will become easy for you.