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Orchid care
I’ve noticed a big trend in giving orchids as host/hostess gifts for the holidays. They are a beautiful choice instead of a cut flower arrangement because their blooms can last upwards of four to six months with proper care. The downside of orchids is that a majority of people have no idea how to look after them and many of these amazing plants get thrown out after they are done flowering. I want to note that there are thousands of varieties of orchids and they all have their own set of care instructions. I am going to help you with the ones that people buy at the grocery store; Phaelaenopsis.
Here are a few of my simple rules when taking care of your orchids
Watering orchids is probably the trickiest part of the whole process. Although most of the species of orchids that we bring into our homes are tropical, they don’t want an excessive amount of water to stay healthy. Their roots are covered in something called velamen, which is a sponge that the orchid uses to absorb water and hold it for long periods. The part that most homeowners get wrong is that orchids need to dry out between waterings. As tropical plants, orchids love high humidity, but because they naturally grow in trees, they hate standing in water. I have tried the ice-cube method (five ice cubes a week) and have had good success, but common sense makes me question the idea of introducing ice to a tropical plant. The experts are very divided on this one. Some say that the cold encourages more blooms and other say this is a total myth. Personally, I am going with the 10-minute soak in warm water once a week. Just try to avoid getting the crowns (where the leaves attach) wet.
Sunlight is very important to orchids as they need it to generate energy to rebloom. Many orchids get tossed out because it takes a long time for the leaves to ‘power-up’ and people lose their patience with the plants before it happens. Phaelaenopsis orchids like a window with bright, but indirect light. One way to tell if your orchid is getting enough light is by the colour of its leaves. Bright green leaves, which are new growth, are ideal. They show that the orchid is happy and prospering. Dark green leaves, common for most of our plants indicate that the plant could use more light but is still okay. Blackish leaves on your orchid is a sign to increase the light, often supplementing with 12 hours of artificial light a day. If you have reddish green leaves, your plant is getting too much sun.
Fertilizing your orchid is important in providing your plant with food. Many of the potted orchids that we get are planted in moss or chipped bark. While this is good for the roots, this doesn’t provide a lot of nutrients for the plants themselves. Most orchid fertilizers are applied once a month. This is perfect for the plant; just make sure you get one that is specifically designed for orchids. I personally made the fatal flaw of giving my orchids a diluted houseplant fertilizer that burnt the leaves of my plant.
The biggest caution I can give you about taking care of orchids is that this practice is highly addictive. Once you get started and you have your first rebloom, you’re going to get hooked. Just remember there is help out there for you!
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