Orchid Care 101

Orchids are beautiful flowers and need to be treated with care. Even though orchids originate in tropical climates, they don’t need to be watered at a high frequency. The typical orchid should be watered only once every 5 to 10 days. If you water an orchid more frequently than that, you’ll kill its roots. Be sure to water the orchid more frequently during the summer months and less frequently during the winter months.

Types
There are multiple types of orchids that will require unique watering schedules. Odontoglossum, Miltonia, Cymbidium and Paphiopedilum orchids must be kept moist all the time. Don’t water them until they become soggy though. Dendrobium, Oncidium, Brassia and Cattleya orchids should be kept moist only during growth periods. Ascocenda, Phalaenopsis and Vanda orchids should be kept fairly dry in between waterings.

Food
Orchids will require a food that is specially formulated for orchids. Always follow the fertilizer’s instructions. As a general rule of thumb, orchids should be fertilized one time per month. Orchids fertilized less than this will grow much more slowly and might not develop full flowers. Over fertilizing can also prevent full flowering and can damage the orchid’s roots.

Lighting
In terms of lighting, let the orchid tell you if it is getting the proper amount of light. Check its leaves to see if they are bright green. If they are a darker shade of green, the orchid isn’t getting enough light. If the laves are more of a red green, then the orchid is getting too much light. Keep in mind that there are orchid types that need extra light. These include oncidiums, cattleyas and dendrobium orchids. Don’t let their leaves burn in the sun during the middle of the day though. Move these orchids away from the window when the sun is at its peak and on the extra hot days in the summer. Orchid types that require less than normal light include paphiopedilums, miltonias and phalaenopsis orchids. Be sure to keep these orchids a good distance from windows.
You can also use fluorescent lights to grow orchids in your home if you live in an area that gets little sunlight. Regular fluorescent lights will work just fine. Orchid experts have successfully grown orchids very cheaply by using both a warm white fluorescent light bulb and a cool white fluorescent light bulb together. This provides a wide variety of lights that cross the spectrum to stimulate rapid growth and blooming.

Pots

Most orchids will be able to stay in their pots for a solid two years before requiring a new pot. Once the orchid’s roots grow over the pot’s edges, it has overgrown its pot and needs a larger home. When you repot your orchid, make sure to plant it with the roots pointed downward and include moistened bark. Resume normal watering and fertilizing once a full week has passed. This gives the orchid some much needed time to settle into its new pot.

Bugs

Common orchid pests include mealybugs, aphids, thrips, slugs and snails. They love to eat away at the orchid’s roots when it is in its early stages of growth. These pests especially enjoy feasting on orchids in the middle of the night. Don’t let them ruin your precious orchids. Pick up a couple pest control products at your local gardening outlet so that you are prepared to eliminate these orchid killers as soon as they appear.

American Tree Masters LLC is a full-service tree trimming and removal company in Phoenix, Arizona.

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