Basics of Caring For Orchids

The options of where you grow your Orchid are in a greenhouse, outside in your garden or in your house most likely on a window sill. Below is some advice to help you grow a beautiful Orchid in whatever location you choose.

Caring for Orchids Indoors

Growing your Orchid inside will take a little extra attention to detail as heating in houses makes the air dry and Orchids like humid conditions.

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids) and Phragmipediums (a type of Lady Slipper Orchid) are among the easiest Orchid to grow inside and will provide you with beautiful blooms, which come two times a year.

A window with lots of natural sunlight will be essential to grow these Orchids. If you start noticing black spots appearing on the leaves of your Orchid then it is likely to be sun damage and you should move your Orchid to a different location. Artificial fluorescent lighting can also be very effective if you do not have a location in your house that will provide an adequate amount of light for your Orchid.

It is also important to make sure that there is not a draft coming from the window as this will inhibit your Orchids ability to grow and bloom.

When conditions are hot inside the house you should make sure your Orchid has a breeze by opening a window or alternatively you can also use a fan. Make sure that at the very least the temperature inside is always above 16 °C (60 F) and this will help your Orchid to bloom.

Providing your Orchid with the correct amount of water is also vital, you can achieve this by standing your pots in a gravel filled tray containing a layer of water.

Caring for Orchids in a Greenhouse

With a greenhouse it is possible to control the climate for your Orchids much more effectively. Orchids can grow in all kinds of temperatures but as a general rule it is good to have the overnight temperature of your greenhouse be at least 10 °C (or 15 F) less than it was during the daytime. Cooler temperatures at night allow the Orchids to keep a lot more moisture in their soil than they do during the day.

It is a good idea to keep in mind that while some Orchids thrive in extreme lighting others are much more comfortable in the shade. Understanding your particular species of Orchid will allow you to adapt the condition to get the most gorgeous blooms out of your Orchid.

Being a closed environment it is important to provide some form of air circulation to your greenhouse either by opening windows or if you want to keep the humidity in then you can use a fan.

You will want to water Orchids grown in a greenhouse once to twice per week. It is also useful to check the moisture levels as during the summer months the heat of the sun can dry the soil your Orchids are in very quickly if not paid attention to. Of course Orchids that are in the sun all day will require more water than your indoor Orchids.

Caring for Orchids Outside

Orchids are very adaptable and while it may surprise a few can be successfully grown outside. Although thought of as exotic plants Orchids can manage to survive the whole year by attaching themselves to other trees and plants. If you do live in a country that get rather cold in winter it may be a good idea to plant your Orchids in pots that can then be brought inside during the most sever months.

Final Thoughts

Orchids are by nature very adaptable. By selecting a suitable species for your environment and giving your Orchid the proper amount of care and attention there’s no reason why you cannot grow some spectacular Orchids in any kind of environment.

Bookmark with:

Related posts:

1. Caring for Orchids can be an Extremely Enjoyable Experience
2. The Importance of Watering Correctly When Caring for Orchids
3. How You Can Make a Humidity Tray for Your Orchids