Orchids are beautiful and delicate flowers that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are more than 22,000 species of orchids. Orchid care can vary according to the type. However, there are some simple guidelines that you can follow regardless of the type of orchid you have to maintain their health and beauty.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Providing the Right Environment
Step 1. Use a pot that has drainage holes
Orchids should be planted in pots that have drainage holes so that excess water can drain out of the pot. Otherwise, root rot will kill this beautiful plant! If you are currently growing your orchid in a pot with no drainage holes, move the plant to a new pot.
Place a placemat or mat under the pot so that dripping water from the pot doesn't spill onto the floor
Step 2. Prepare a planting medium that quickly drains water specifically for orchids
You can choose a planting medium based on tree trunks or moss. Tree-based planting media can drain water well so it prevents excess water, but it breaks easily. Meanwhile, moss-based growing media are better at retaining moisture, but require you to be careful with watering and maybe change the orchid pot more often.
If your orchid has not been grown in the right medium at this time, transplant the plant to help it thrive
Step 3. Place the orchid pot near a south or east facing window
In order to thrive, orchid plants need strong, but indirect sunlight. If you can, place the orchid pot near a south- or east-facing window to get the right amount and intensity of sunlight. However, if your home only has windows facing west, try installing light curtains to prevent the orchid from getting sunburnt.
Placing the orchid near a north-facing window may deprive it of sunlight and prevent it from blooming
Step 4. Keep the room temperature between 16-24 degrees Celsius
Orchids thrive in cool temperatures and will die in too cold temperatures. While the exact growing temperature may vary and is determined by the species, in general, you should keep the room temperature over 16 degrees Celsius at night. Meanwhile, during the day, set the temperature 8-10 degrees higher than that temperature.
Step 5. Set light air circulation
Since orchids are not planted in the ground, you will need to provide air circulation to keep the roots healthy. When the weather is cool enough, you can open the windows of the room so that a light breeze can flow in. Meanwhile, run a ceiling fan on a low speed or a rotating fan directed away from the orchid to keep the air in the room moving.
Part 2 of 3: Watering, Fertilizing and Pruning Orchids
Step 1. Water the orchid just before it dries
You should give as much water as the orchid uses. So, don't schedule watering times based on a certain number of days. Every few days, stick your 1-2 fingers into the medium in the orchid pot, then remove it and wipe it. If you don't feel any moisture on your finger, sprinkle some water on the medium in the orchid pot and allow it to soak in. After a few minutes, drain any excess water that has run off and into the placemat or pedestal under the pot.
- You may need to water your orchid several times a week or every few weeks, depending on climatic conditions, humidity levels, and growing medium.
- Clean the orchid pot to help determine when to water. If there is no condensation on the inside of the pot, it's time to water.
Step 2. Spray water every day if the humidity level in your home is less than 40%
Orchids grow best in environments where humidity is between 40-60%. Purchase a hygrometer at a garden supply store or department store and use it to measure the humidity in your home. If the humidity in your home is less than 40%, apply a fine spray of water to the orchids and their growing medium once daily with a spray bottle.
If the humidity in your home exceeds 60%, turn on a dehumidifier in the room where you put your orchids to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold
Step 3. Apply fertilizer once a month while the orchid is in bloom
Use a balanced fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 fertilizer. Dilute it in half and use it to fertilize the orchid once a month while it is in bloom. Do not water the orchid for a few days after fertilizing, or the nutrients will run off with the water.
After the orchid blooms, its leaf growth will stop. You can reduce the application of water and fertilizer until the orchid leaves grow back
Step 4. Cut the stems that have finished flowering
Orchids will not grow back on the same stem, with the exception of Phalaenopsis orchids, or moth orchids. If you are growing this type of orchid, simply cut the stem just above the node or the point where the stem meets after the flowers have died. For pseudo-bulb orchid varieties, cut the stems just above these bulbs. Meanwhile, for other varieties of orchids, cut all stems that have finished flowering as close to the surface of the growing medium as possible.
- Pseudo tuber is the thickened part at the base of the stem growth.
- Always use sterile gardening tools to trim orchids.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Pests and Diseases
Step 1. Catch the mealybugs and mealybugs by hand
Signs of attack by these two pests include sticky leaves and black sooty mold. Use your hands to remove any visible insects on both the top and bottom of the leaves and flower stems.
Step 2. Clean the infected leaves with soapy water
After removing the bugs by hand, pour a small amount of dish soap into a bowl or cup of water and then dissolve it in room temperature water. Dip a soft cloth into this solution, then gently rub it over the individual leaves and stems of the orchid flower. The soapy water will remove any sticky residue and soot mold as well as kill any remaining insects.
Step 3. Spray insecticide if this problem persists
If you've removed the bugs and cleaned the leaves but are still seeing signs of pest infestation, purchase an insecticide at your local gardening store. Ask the seller there for help to choose an insecticide that is safe for orchids. Follow the instructions for using insecticides listed on the packaging.
Step 4. Prune diseased plant tissue
If you notice that your orchid leaves are discolored or mottled (perhaps cream, yellow, brown, or black), it's likely that the orchid is suffering from a disease. The first step you should take is to trim diseased tissue as soon as possible. Use a sterile cutting tool to trim diseased leaves, stems, and flowers. Be sure to disinfect your gardening tools before and after.
In some cases, you may have to remove the entire plant to prevent the disease from spreading
Step 5. Treat plant infections with fungicides or bactericides
Common bacterial infections in orchids include brown roots, black roots, and brown spots which are characterized by the appearance of dark spots on the leaves and false bulbs. Fungal infections that are common in orchids include blight and root rot, which is characterized by rotting of the roots, pseudo tubers, and leaves. After trimming the infected tissue, spray a fungicide or bactericide according to the cause of the disease in the orchid.
