Since orchids are tropical plants, many people keep them indoors because the winter cold kills them every year. Other people, however, prefer to plant their orchids outdoors. While it helps if you have some prior flower gardening experience, with just a little bit of home gardening help anyone can learn to grow healthy, beautiful orchids. Here are some helpful orchid growing tips for planting your orchids indoors or for planting and maintaining them in a garden outdoors.
· Indoor orchid care tips:
1. Choose an orchid that will fit your indoor temperature. Some plants are much more finicky than others. If your house stays between 68 and 75 degrees, you can choose a warm-growing orchid. If your nighttime temperatures get a bit cooler (say between 60 and 65 degrees), choose an intermediate-growing orchid. For more information on orchid species, you'll find the BBC gardening site to be useful.
2. Most orchids come planted in a special orchid pot and rooted in some sort of bark or fibrous material. This is because orchids get most of their nutrients and water from aerial roots. So don't cut these roots!
3. Orchid plants need high humidity and direct sun during the winter months, and indirect light during the summer months.
4. Never let your orchid get too dry. This will kill it quickly. Instead, water consistently but in accordance with the specific instructions for your type of orchid. Remember, the water must reach and nourish all of the roots.
5. DO NOT USE SOFTENED WATER. The salt will damage the roots.
6. If your leaves turn a light green color or yellow and shrink in size, you need to add some fertilizer. If your orchid does not flower and the leaves are dark green and floppy, you have used too much fertilizer. Plants that are actively growing and sprouting need fertilizer. Those who are slow-growing or not growing do not need fertilizer. If your orchid is in bark, it needs more fertilizer than one planted in fibrous material. A general houseplant fertilizer will do the trick. Just apply about every four weeks, and read the labels.
7. They must be watered several times a week. Unfortunately, watering this frequently will kill the roots of any orchid in short order. The general rule of thumb for orchids grown in the home is to water every 5 to 12 days, depending on the type of orchid, the temperature the plant is grown in, and the time of year. During the warm summer months when days are long, more frequent watering is required than in the cooler, shorter days of winter.
· Outdoor orchid care tips:
1. Orchids kept outdoors are more vulnerable to the elements that can damage flowers and leaves. Placing plants in a sheltered position can help minimize wind and rain damage. Here are some general tips:
2. While outdoor plants can be more vulnerable to pests, natural pest predators often mitigate the problem. Check plants for problems frequently, and only use artificial chemicals when absolutely necessary.
3. Flower pots on paved or dark surfaces, or in the direct sun, can heat up and dry out very quickly. Keep an eye on them whenever the weather is warm.
4. Heat or wind can quickly lower humidity.
5. Depending on the climate where you live and the kind of orchid you have, you will need to bring your orchid inside when temperatures become too cold. Remember to check the plant for pests and insects before you bring it inside.
