Orchids are beautiful, exotic plants that are temperamental, but can be successfully grown indoors as a decorative houseplant. Orchids are not that complicated and if you understand caring for orchids and their needs you can grow these exotic and beautiful plants.
One of the big mistakes the people make when caring for orchids is over watering their orchids. People assume that when their potting soil looks dry, they need to be watered. This is not true, as the potting bark may appear dry, the bark itself holds moisture. The rule of thumb is to water once a week or once every other week, sparingly. Orchids also need to be fertilized, also sparingly. Buy orchid fertilizer at your favorite greenhouse.
Orchids will thrive in your ordinary home environment if given the proper potting bark, right amount of water, proper amount of sunlight and fertilizer occasionally. Orchids usually grow on the trunks and branches of trees. This means that their roots are used to drying out before being given water again. When growing one of these plants in your home, you should let the potting bark dry out completely before watering.
The amount of light the orchid plant needs can vary. When caring for orchids they generally need a good deal of diffused light. Sitting in an eastern facing window will allow them to have the cooler morning light and prevent them from burning in strong afternoon sunlight. 12 hours of light a day is ideal, but sometimes not practical, because of very strong afternoon sun.
Getting a good routine in place for watering and fertilizing is a great way to guarantee that you will be able to enjoy these exotic plants for a long time.
There are four types of orchids:
1. Terrestrial Orchids, having their roots in soil.
2. Lithophytes, which grow in rocks or at least, very little soil.
3. Saprophytes, which get their nutrition from decaying or dead matter usually accessed on the forest floror.
4. Climbing Epiphytes, being found in trees with roots that cling to tree bark to absorb water and nutrients.
The Phalaenopsis orchid is a beautiful orchid commonly found in many well decorated homes. It is a perfect house plant for a warm environment heated with a dry central heating system. The blooms are round and come in many vibrant colors. the Phalaenopsis orchid usually blooms twice a year. There are normally four to five blooms on a single very long stem. They produce 'air' roots that drape over the sides of the pot and also take root in bark chips in the pot.
This type of orchid should be allowed to dry out thoroughly in its planting bark before watering. Usually water every two weeks. Run water into the planting pot and allow it to drain out the bottom of the planting pot. Fertilize at watering time two or three times a year.
Phalaenopsis should be repotted every two years. This should be done in the spring after the plant has blossomed. Medium-grade fir bark works best when growing these orchids in a medium sized pot.
Over 26,500 species of orchids exist. Over 100,200 hybrid species have been bred. Orchids will grow in all climates except very dry desert like conditions. Many orchids don't grow in soil, in humid climates they will grow clinging to the branches and trunks of trees.
It is a good idea to read up on the care required for your particular orchid species. With proper nurturing these exotic beauties can really add style to your home.
