How to care for an orchid?
Sunday, July 26th, 2009Choosing your Orchid
Orchids are the kind of flower that interest 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.
We can name three different species that are easy to cultivate and the most impressive, as they have very large flowers that are in full bloom for a long time, up to three months : the phalaenopsis, the cattleyas and Cymbidium.
The phalaenopsis has a further benefit. It can be grownindoor. The other two species in fact need to have significant temperature differences between day and night, so you can not grow them indoor.
How to take care of them everyday
Leaves of a healthy orchid are glossy. Put it in a bright location but avoid direct sunlight.(do not put behind a window, for example) : you may burn the leaves and make flowers wilt. Above all, do not water them too much : It would be sufficient to do it once every ten days Use a non-calcareous water like clear rain water or spring water. Finally, do not water the leaves at the heart, otherwise they risk rotting.
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.
Generally, a re-potting every two years is enough. 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. Be careful with fertilizers. Too much of it and your orchid might asphyxiate. 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.














