The Basics of Orchid Care
Yes, orchids are indeed delicate plants, but that doesn't mean that they are impossible to grow and care for. In fact, with the right knowledge and insight, you can become quite skilled with at growing these plants.
The joy of growing these exotic plants lies in three simple words: location, location, location.
The first location is indoors. Yes, despite the possibility of a dry heat in the summer because of air condition and dry heat in the winter because of the furnace (depending on where you live) you can still enjoy the natural beauty of these fragrant flowers.
And here's how. Sure, getting these flowers to actually bloom, according to some experts, can be quite challenging, but believe me, the effort you put forth is definitely worth it.
Many people enjoy these flowers indoors. First, take a good look around your house. You're going to need a window or a room that has bright light. But you don't want it to have direct sunlight. If you can't find this particular condition, then consider using a fluorescent light to simulate the ideal indoor orchid conditions.
The temperature of this location should remain above 60° F at all times. Of course, during the day the temperature will ideally rise above this. If you take your plant out during the day, be sure to bring it in during the night when the temperature drops.
In addition to warmth, your windowsill orchids need moisture. One nifty way of doing this (and your orchids will be thankful!) is to place your orchid pots on a tray that's contains gravel. Keep this gravel tray moist by maintaining about a half an inch of water in at all times.
Even though you're growing your flowers inside, don't be afraid to open the windows when the weather is warm. Similarly, if you think you need to create more air circulation - and this is a crucial component to a healthy orchid plant - then place a small fan nearby.
Growing these flowers on your windowsill? These are the easiest ones to grow on the windowsill - especially if you're just beginning.
Moth Orchids are without a doubt the ideal indoor orchid - bar none. They have a beautiful, enduring flower that blooms twice a year if healthy.
Lady's Slippers are the next best type of indoor orchid. These are always a treasure to grow because the flowers actually last from one to three months! Imagine enjoying your orchids for nearly a quarter of a year! Not only that, but older plants can also flourish as well. And let's just face it, Lady's Slippers, with their exotic looks - unusual warts, hair and striped colors - are simply a joy to behold.
Here's the second location: the greenhouse.
Orchids, you'll soon discover as you grow more of them, can easily adapt to either warm or cold temperatures. The key to success is that there absolutely needs to be a 15° difference in the daytime and nighttime temperatures.
If your orchids are kept in the open, then you also need to ensure that they get more water than others along with the proper air circulation And especially during the hot months and the periods of increased plant development, your plants will need to be watered at least once - if not twice - a week. If you've got yourself a good greenhouse, you should have no trouble growing orchids!
If you're using artificial lights, then be sure to know the appropriate light levels and lengths for the specific orchid species you're growing. Some like shaded light. Other orchids need brighter lights to thrive.
And this brings us to the third location: the great outdoors.
Got a damp area? A temperate climate? Then you've got yourself the perfect location for growing orchids. And even with this, you'll probably discover that they'll become mature all year long simply by attaching themselves to trees. You can also ensure their health by planting them in the ground or simply placing potted indoor plants outside.
And believe it or not, even though orchids are tropical plants, they can even be grown in a region that experiences a winter. You'll just need to be sure that during the very peak cold periods you'll take these gorgeous flowers inside until the weather breaks some.
Yes, growing orchids really is that easy. It just all depends on three factors: location, location, location.
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