Orchid Information You Need to Know
- Image via WikipediOThe popularity of orchids has been growing quickly for years. You will find more and more varieties of orchids and thousands of hybrids available. People are discovering that, with the right care, like water, light and fertilizer, orchids will give lots of satisfaction. It is easy to find orchids that prefer temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees, and easy range to maintain.
Orchid information is being sought every day as more and more people are growing orchids every year. You will find more and more varieties of orchids and thousands of hybrids available. With the right amount of water, light, fertilizer and air, which is easy to do, your orchids will thrive. Many easy to grow orchids prefer a temperature between 75 and 85 degrees, which is easy to maintain for your orchids at home.
Phalaenopsis is a very popular orchid variety, because it is one of the simplest to grow. It can do well in the home or office. Different species of orchid’s flowers will last for different amounts of time. From the time that the first Phalaenopsis bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next two to three months. Whereas the flowers on a Cattleyas orchid plant may last up to a month in bloom from the time that the bud opens. And then there are some orchids that bloom all year long, while others bloom only once per year.
Lots of people like orchids for their fragrance. Although some smell great, there is a lot of variability in orchid fragrances. You will find that some orchids have very strong fragrances, while others are more subtle. You would expect orchids to smell flowery, but others smell fruity. Other fragrances that you will detect from orchids include chocolate, raspberry, coconut, lilac and citrus.
Don’t plant your orchid in regular potting soil, but on bark, which is how most grow in nature. They could also be grown in New Zealand sphagnum moss. Orchids need to be grown in pots that will supply them with good drainage. This is why you should not use potting soil, because the air circulation and water drainage is reduced. Although it depends on your environment, you will need to water your orchid one to two times per week. During warmer months you may need to water more frequently, as much as every 4 to 5 days.
A good rule of thumb to follow is the more heat, the more water you should give your orchid and the less heat, the less amount of water. If you want to cut down on watering time, consider planting your orchid in sphagnum moss, so you can water less often. These plants can be watered once every seven to ten days.
It varies by species, but most orchids require lots of bright, but indirect sunlight. Most do very well in an east facing window. In their natural tropical environment, orchids thrive in a combination of shade and sun, so you should copy this condition at home. Remember to not overdo it with the direct sun exposure. Orchids that are suffering from too much light will display yellowing leaves. If this occurs you should increase the shade that your orchid receives. Yellow orchid leaves could also mean not enough fertilizer. In general, fertilize regularly once every 2 weeks. You should also water your orchid plant before applying the diluted nutrient solution if the potting media is dry.
