Caring For Orchids

The orchid plant is beautiful and will thrive with proper orchid care and nourishment. If you are new to orchid ownership here are 10 basic steps to for caring for orchids and to help your orchids prosper.

1. There is a common mistake when caring for orchids in the belief that orchids need to be watered frequently. In actual fact, the exact opposite is true. A general rule of thumb is to water every 5 to 12 days. To do this correctly, you have to judge the weather, type of orchid and temperature. Water your orchid plants slightly more often on hot summer days and less on cold winter days.

When growing orchids, remember there are 3 basic types of orchids:

Plants that require to be kept evenly moist:

Paphipoedilum
Cymbidium
Miltonia
Odontoglossum

Plants that should be allowed to dry a bit in-between waterings:

Cattleya
Brassia
Oncidium
Dendrobium

Plants that should almost dry out between watering:

Phalaenopsis
Vanda
Ascocenda

The above is a basic guideline that is part of orchid care. Check with your nursery for correct watering instruction for the plant you purchase.

2. Fertilization is the next thing to check when caring for orchids. Buy orchid food specially formulated for orchid care, and follow instructions on the label. A basic guideline would be once a month, more often could burn the roots, less often can stunt growth.

3. Place your plant in a spot where there is good light and comfortable airflow. Too much light or direct sunlight can make the leaves blotchy and damage them. They will thrive better with light behind filter curtains.

4. Caring for Orchids requires you to inspect your plant on a regular basis. Look for any changes in the growth, colour of leaves and texture and take note of any changes.

5. Use water from the tap (faucet); comfortable room temperature, not hot or cold.

6. When you water your orchids avoid wetting the leaves. If you do get water on the leaves or between the leaves use a piece of tissue or cotton ball and wipe the water away from the leaves gently.

7. Check the temperature of the leaves. If the orchids are warm check their location. They may be exposed to too much sun. In their natural habitat they are not usually exposed to the direct sun.

8. When caring for orchids, Common orchid pests you need to watch out for are snails and slugs. These pests hide in the potting medium and chew on the roots of the plants. They will also come out at night and chew the leaves. Other pests include aphids (a small insect that sucks leaves) and thirps (an insect that chews leaves). Mealy bugs are another common pest; they attack the leaves and stems leaving a cottony mass. Consult your garden center if you see any signs of infestation and follow their instructions on pest control.

9. When caring for orchids, repot your plant every two years; as a general rule, if roots are growing out the top of the pot then it's time for a bigger pot. Check roots before repotting to make sure there are no dead roots.

10. Overall good orchid care will ensure that your orchid plant remains in tip top condition for years to come.