How to care for an orchid?
Thursday, July 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Orchid Choice
Orchids are the kind of flower that fascinate many people, and the choice is difficult as there are between 20 000 and 30 000 species, all with shape and color very different compared to each other.
Some of the most impressive orchids which are easy to cultivate are : the phalaenopsis, the cattleyas and Cymbidium. These orchids have large flowers that blossom from one to three months.
The phalaenopsis has an extra advantage. You can cultivate it indoor. Important temperature variations between day and night are needed for the other species named earlier, so you can not cultivate them in an apartment.
How to take care of them everyday
Leaves of a healthy orchid are shiny. You need to find a bright place for your orchids while avoiding direct sunlight.(do not put behind a window, for example) : your orchid’s leaves might burn and the flowers may begin to wilt. Above all, do not water them too much : once every ten days is sufficient. Use a non-calcareous water like clear rain water or spring water. Finally, do not water the leaves at the heart, else t may rot.
Once your flower has wilted, continue as before with the water. It is better not to cut the stems, unless they are dry because they blossom periodically.
It would be enough to do a re-potting every two years. You don’t necessarily need to have a deep pot, use an “orchid special” compost, made of polystyrene and pine bark, that you can find in garden centers. Do not use too much fertilizer,or your plant will suffocate. If you absolutely want to use some, you can use any universal fertilizer once every two weeks before and during flowering, but not after!
Finally, beware of pests that can colonize the plant: aphids, mites, mealybugs …. to get rid of them use insecticides for orchids that you can find in any garden center. Just remember a well cared phalaenopsis can live up to 20 years.
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