How to Care for Orchids

 

Orchids make a beautiful gift, and are a flower that many would love to receive. Sadly, most people aren’t aware that orchids need care that most plants and flowers don’t require. Therefore, the orchids are often dead within just a few days. If you have received an orchid, don’t let this happen to you. Instead, give these tips for how to care for orchids a try. When you follow these easy care tips, you will find that your orchid can last you for years to come and provide regular blooms. Here is how you can get started caring for your orchid.

How to Care for Orchids

1. Watering.

Orchids are quite finicky about water, and over or under watering is usually the way most orchids meet their demise. When watering your orchid there are some things to keep in mind. First, orchids never appreciate soggy soil. Invest in a light misting spray bottle so you can spray the base of the plant once per week. The only exception is if the air is extremely dry. If you wish, you can place an ice cube at the base of the plant so it slowly melts into the pot and provides the moisture the plant needs.

Never water the leaves or spray them directly. This can cause disease to set in and take over quite quickly.

2. Light.

Orchids will thrive with a steady amount of light. If you are unsure about the amount of light you plant is getting, all you need to do is look at the leaves. A plant getting too much light will have a reddish tone in the leaves. A plant getting too little light will have deep jade colored leaves. You want your leaves to be bright emerald green. The perfect place to rest your plant is in a south window where it will get plenty of light but occasional rests from the heat as well.

3. Fertilizing.

Don’t use basic houseplant food or fertilizer on your orchid. Instead, use an orchid fertilizer sold at garden shops. It will have the nutrients your orchid needs to thrive. You can fertilize once a month, but don’t feed it more than that. Otherwise, you can burn the plant and kill it quickly.

4. Blooms.

Enjoy the colorful blooms while they put on their show for you. Once the bloom is expired, go ahead and snip it off. You want to cut it right below the bloom, as this will encourage a new one to start. Don’t worry if you don’t see new blooms right away, it may take a little time.

5. Replanting.

There is no rush to replant or repot your orchid. They can stay in the pot they are in for as long as 18-24 months. For the time being, feel free to enjoy it in the pot it is in!

6. Pests.

Unless you leave your orchid outdoors, you don’t need to worry about pests. If you do leave it outdoors, quickly remove any slugs you may see on the plants. Don’t use any pesticides on your orchids; instead try to remove any pests by hand.

Taking care of your new orchid can be quite simple when you give these tips a try! As you can see, they require some specific TLC not common of your average houseplant, so being sure you follow these steps is important.

Enjoy your new orchid and all of the color and beauty it is bound to bring into your life!

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