Orchids are beautiful and delicate flowers, with a great variety of colors, shapes and sizes. There are over 22,000 species of orchids and each of them requires specific care. However, it is possible to follow some simple guidelines, no matter what type of orchid you have chosen, to keep it healthy and beautiful.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating the Right Environment
Step 1. Use pots with drainage holes
It is essential that the pots of orchids have drainage holes that can allow excess water to escape, otherwise the roots could rot and cause the plant to die! If your orchids are in a pot without holes, move them right away.
Place a saucer under the orchid so that excess water does not drain onto the ground
Step 2. Use fast draining soil specifically for orchids
You can choose between bark or sphagnum products. Bark-based ones drain well, so it's harder to overwater the plant, but they can break easily. Sphagnum-based ones retain moisture better, but need to be watered carefully and replaced often.
If you haven't planted your orchids in a suitable substrate, repot them so they grow better
Step 3. Place the pots next to south or east facing windows
Orchids need strong but indirect sunlight to grow well. If possible, place them close to a south or east-facing window so that they receive the right amount and intensity of sunlight. If you only have west-facing windows, cover them with a sheer curtain so the orchids don't get burned.
By placing orchids close to a north-facing window, they may not get enough light to bloom
Step 4. At home, keep a temperature of 16-24 ° C
Orchids grow best when the temperature is mild and die when it is too cold. Although the ideal temperature varies by flower species, in general you should try to keep your home above 16 ° C at night. During the day the temperature should be about 5-8 degrees higher.
Step 5. Ensure good but gentle air circulation
Since orchids are not grown in the soil, they need good air circulation for the roots to stay healthy. In the warmer months you can open the windows to let in a gentle breeze, otherwise use a low-speed ceiling fan or a portable one facing away from the orchids to prevent the air from becoming stale.
Part 2 of 3: Watering, Feeding and Pruning the Orchids
Step 1. Water the orchids just before they dry out
It is important to water these flowers based on the amount of water they use and not after a certain number of days. Once every 2-3 days, gently stick two fingers into the substrate, then rub them together. If you don't feel moisture on your fingers, gently water the orchids by pouring the water into the vase and waiting for it to absorb. After a few minutes, drain the excess water into the saucer.
- Depending on the climate, humidity level and soil you have chosen, you may need to water the orchids several times a week or once every 2-3 weeks.
- With transparent pots it is easier to understand when it is time to water the orchids; if you don't see condensation inside the pot, you need to give the plants water.
Step 2. If the humidity level in your home is below 40%, sprinkle some water on the orchids every day
These flowers grow best in environments with 40-60% humidity. Buy a hygrometer at a garden store or hypermarket and use it to measure the humidity in your home. If the level is below 40%, use a gentle sprayer to lightly wet the orchids and soil once a day.
If the humidity in your home is above 60%, put a dehumidifier in the room where the orchids are located to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi
Step 3. Fertilize orchids once a month when they bloom
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, with the formula 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Dilute it to half its concentration and use it to feed plants once a month when they bloom. Do not water them for a few days after fertilizing them, otherwise the nutrients will simply disperse in the water.
After flowering, leaf growth will stop. At this stage you can give the plant less water and fertilizer until the leaves start growing again
Step 4. Trim the withered stems when the flowers are dead
Orchids do not bloom more than once from the same stem, with the exception of Phalaenopsis. If you own this variety, cut the stem just above the two lowest nodes after the flower has died. If your variety has a pseudobulb, cut the stem just above it. For other varieties, cut the entire stem as close to the soil as possible.
- The pseudobulb is a thicker part of the stem found at the base of each flower.
- Always use sterile tools for pruning orchids.
Part 3 of 3: Managing Pests and Diseases
Step 1. Remove the mealybugs and pseudococci by hand
Signs of these insects include sticky leaves and black soot-like mold. Remove any insects you can see above and below the leaves and flower stems with your hands.
Step 2. Clean affected leaves using soap and water
Once the bugs are removed by hand, pour a drop of liquid dish soap into a cup of water at room temperature. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, then gently scrub each leaf and stem. The soapy water will remove the goo and soot, as well as get rid of any remaining insects.
Step 3. Spray orchids with insecticide if the problem persists
If you've removed the bugs and cleaned the leaves, but still notice the symptoms of an infestation, buy an insecticide at a garden store. Ask a salesperson to help you find an orchid-safe product. Follow the instructions on the package.
Step 4. Prune all diseased tissue
If you notice that your orchids have colorless or spotted leaves (with cream, yellow, brown or black spots), they are probably suffering from a disease. The first step is to remove as much of the infected tissue as possible. Use sterile shears to cut diseased leaves, stems, and flowers. Be sure to disinfect tools before and after using them.
In some cases it is better to throw the whole plant away to prevent the disease from spreading
Step 5. Treat infections with fungicides or bactericides
The most common bacteria affecting orchids include pseudomonas, erwinia, acidovorax, and their presence is indicated by black spots on the leaves or pseudobulbs. The most common fungal infections are caused by botrytis, glomerella, fusarium fungi and are indicated by the wilting of roots, pseudobulbs and leaves. Once the infected tissues are removed, spray a fungicide or bactericide on the flowers, depending on the disease afflicting them.
You can find these products at all garden stores
Advice
- If your orchid's leaves are shriveled and rough, while the roots are lush and green or white, you probably water the plant too little. Conversely, if the roots are in poor condition or have died, you probably water them too much.
- Orchids have a dormant period. However, you should take care of these plants even when they are not growing to encourage new flowering.
