Caring for Orchids
Many people have long believed that caring for orchids was a delicate and difficult task best suited for those who had the means to provide for their care. However, with so many varieties (there are more than twenty-five thousand species and more than one hundred thousand hybrids) anyone can find an orchid that fits within their skill level.
The good news is that the majority of orchids don’t require any more effort than what is needed for most ordinary house plants. However, some orchids can have specific requirements for their proper care and your initial step is to determine what those needs are.
The reason orchids are such popular house plants is because they produce a beautiful and delicate flower that is unmatched by most other plants. If you provide the care that they require they will continue to produce healthy blooms just the same as they would in a flower store. One of the most common orchids, called the phaleanopsis, is often given as a gift and worn as an accessory. This popular orchid is usually a purple or white color and is readily available because it requires less care than other varieties which are less common.
Light Required
You can expect an orchid to bloom for approximately 3 months more with proper care. Your plant should be in a location where it will be exposed to sunlight throughout the day. This may be a window or skylight but care must be taken to avoid strong sunlight that may occur during the height of the day. Orchids prefer morning or evening light so you may wish to locate your orchid on the eastern or western side of your house. If this is not feasible you can use artificial light from fluorescent lights that are place about 12 inches above the plant. In any case you want to confine the exposure to regular daylight hours.
Temperature
Temperature is another factor you will need to consider. The optimum range is between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature exceeds 90 degrees orchids will begin losing their buds and may stop blooming completely.
Moisture
Like most plants it’s important that the orchid flower has adequate moisture, however, over watering the roots can cause the blooms to die. You can water the orchid once every ten weeks or, alternatively, you can keep the orchid constantly in a water tray. Be sure the roots are not immersed in the water tray otherwise the plant will become over watered.
Fertilizer
A great suggestion for insuring that the orchid will bloom for the longest amount of time is to apply the fertilizer before it blooms but don’t fertilize it after it has bloomed. Another tip for keeping the orchid blooming for the maximum period of time is to prune it carefully while it is blooming. When you do this you’ll notice a second flower will start developing.
In summation, if you are diligent in providing proper care and attention your orchid plant will continue to produce beautiful, rich blooms during the entire blooming season.
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