Orchids are among the most beautiful flowers in the whole plant kingdom, as they combine exotic looks with various characteristics. They are refined plants that include over 30,000 different species and more than 200,000 hybrids - making them the largest family of plants in the world. Able to live outdoors as well as indoors, orchids are undoubtedly unique and, unfortunately for some potential green thumbs, difficult to care for. Anyone hoping to grow an orchid should be ready to face not only the triumphs this beautiful plant can bring, but just as many failures.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Potting the Orchid
Step 1. Select a species
Some orchids are easier to care for than others. Cattleya, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum are among the easiest and recommended for beginners. It is believed that there are more than 20,000 species of orchids - that is 2 times the number of birds and 4 times that of mammals. In practice, there is a different species for each type of person.
- Probably the most common orchid cultivars for sale include Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, and Oncidium. Phalaenopsis, also known as "butterfly orchid", is the most popular with beginners; the genus Dendrobium gathers about 1,200 species and is instead the most classic epiphytic orchid; the Oncidium has as a peculiarity the booklet wings and a callosity at the junction of the petals.
- Each orchid species has its own ideal degree of humidity, temperature, watering and light dosage. Talk to an expert at a nursery or visit the site of an orchid lover's association to find out what conditions are ideal for yours to thrive.
Step 2. Choose the right soil
Some novice gardeners make the mistake of assuming that orchids should be potted in common potting soil for flowering plants. This is a big mistake - most orchid roots need more air than regular potting soil provides, so they will benefit from a more porous mix.
Many use pieces of bark, sphagnum moss, coconut shells, charcoal, perlite, and even Styrofoam in the mix, often combining them. Try your own mix that's porous and breathtaking, or ask an expert for a special recipe
Step 3. Try a repotting mix, or a combination of strains
To keep it simple, you can make two basic types of mixes that will work for most orchids.
- Create a mix for thin-grained repotting, which will work for Scarpetta di Venere varieties, most Oncidiums, Miltonias and for orchids with thin roots that particularly prefer humidity:
- 4 parts thin fir bark or coconut shell (chopped)
- 1 part charcoal (in small pieces)
- 1 part of perlite
- do a medium mix, suitable for Cattleye, Phalaenopsis and other mature orchids. If you're not sure which mix to use, try the medium grain one before the thin one:
- 4 parts medium fir bark or coconut shell
- 1 part charcoal (in medium pieces)
- 1 part of perlite
- Mesh pots for an airy environment. They can be hung anywhere in search of the best lighting.
- Transparent plastic pots, give more light to the roots. They allow you to keep an eye on the root system without damaging the orchid.
- Root-proof wooden pots. In this case, line it with a layer of moss before filling it with the mix.
- To determine the light dosage, check the leaves. They should be a nice bright green if the plant is healthy. If, on the other hand, they are dark green, it means that the orchid is not receiving enough light. If the leaves are yellow, brown or red, it means they are taking too much.
- Orchids that want soft light (Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis and Oncidium) perform at their best when facing north or east. Those who want moderate to high amounts of light (Cattleya, Dendrobium and Vanda) prefer a west or south exposure.
- Orchids love to be behind curtains or blinds. In this way they have all the light they want but in an indirect way.
Step 4. Unless your orchid is large, choose a narrow pot
Many orchids do well with constrained roots. Choose a smaller pot to place it, making sure there are enough holes for drainage. Remember: often the number one enemy of orchids is excess water. Some species such as Cymbidium, on the other hand, want longer pots to accommodate a more extensive root system. The following types of pots are excellent alternatives to the classic terracotta ones (however perfect):
Step 5. Put the orchid in the pot
Remove it from its original location and cut off any dead or rotting roots. Divide the root plant into different sections if necessary before planting the plant. The more mature section should be in contact with the vessel wall. Add the mix carefully, barely covering the root system.
Step 6. Make sure you know where to place the repotted orchid
In general, you will need to repot the orchid every two years or whenever you notice that the lower leaves have died. It may also be necessary to repot the orchid if the plant becomes too large for the pot or if the roots are dying.
Method 2 of 2: Feeding the Orchid
Step 1. Give her the right temperature
Most orchids come from a tropical climate, which implies good air and 12 hours of light per day (365 days a year). The temperature (depending on the cultivar) should range from 18.3 to 23.8 ° C.
Make sure there is 6-7 degrees of difference between night and day temperatures. This must be done immediately
Step 2. Make sure your orchid has enough light, but not too much
Many prefer that of the indirect sun or would risk burning, while little light would not make the plant bloom.
Step 3. Water once a week
It is easier to kill an orchid by watering it too much than too little. During the summer months, with the longest and hottest days, the time between one watering and the next should be shortened.
Step 4. Care for the orchid diligently
Orchids require more attention than a normal plant. The thicker the leaves, the more the plant will want water. If your plant has large rhizomes, it is best to give it a little water. Most orchids are not very hardy, except when it comes to water. Again: they prefer to suffer from thirst than to die by drowning.
Step 5. Don't over-fertilize her
Ideally, you should fertilize the orchid once a month, rarely more. Fertilizing too often leads to root burning and hinders flowering; the opposite, on the other hand, jeopardizes the flowering process.
Step 6. Keep the humidity level high
Since this plant loves humidity, keep it constant between 60 and 80% in the room where you grow the orchid - whatever that is.
Step 7. Keep in mind that every orchid is different
Each orchid branch has different needs and cultivation rules. No two are alike - they all need a different temperature, lighting and watering schedule. So when choosing a plant, know that you need to be flexible.
