Hmm…my guess would be, you probably received it as a token of good work at office or as a birthday gift from your friend. And you adored it for days when it bloomed but now when it´s done blooming, you wish to throw away those lovely delicate Orchids?!!
Well,
My recommendation would be to hold on until you finish reading this article, as you would be in complete awe knowing the fact, that–the orchids can actually re-bloom when kept under suitable conditions.
Orchids which once was a supremely exotic plant is now to be found in every corner of the globe. But then why not? this beauty of nature is so charming that it undeniably deserves a spot into our homes.
With the Orchid-Era hyping up, there are undoubtedly hundreds of orchid fanatics and hobbyists that take good care to nurture them. However, the first timers usually end up making mistakes and accidentally killing the orchids.
“As its rightly said, there is always a first time to everything!”
So, to all first-timers there, there is absolutely nothing to worry, everything is under-control😉. With, that you also need to understand that all the orchid-hobbyist including myself were not born experts, we did our share of mistakes and learned from them.
Its beyond question that orchids are one of those plants that require low maintenance, but there are few factors that should be considered keenly to have healthy orchids.
Here are the factors described in detail that requires our primary attention. Make sure you read it, to keep going with this post.
Now that you know the key to take good care of your orchid it´s time to learn how to trigger blooming in them.
Not much of a reader?!
Let me tell you in brief—The basic factors those are necessary to keep your orchids flourishing specially the moth orchids(phalaenopsis).
“Orchid blooming is no one-time show that can happen just once!”
“Orchids are beautiful but what do you do when the flowers disappear? Today you will learn the secret of making them rebloom.”
Light: It is one of the primary factors to decide the course of life for your orchid. Appropriate light is what you exactly need to help the orchid to flourish. To get that right its important that you identify the breed of your orchid as the light conditions are proportional to it. For example, Cattleya, Cymbidium and Dendrobium are the kind which enjoy bright spot whereas phalaenopsis are the kind that likes diffused sunlight.
Less light or too much light are both cause of concern, so its important to find the right spot for your orchid. Most orchids do well at the east or west facing windows, also if your orchid is placed in a room where the light is on 24/7, then you should certainly consider relocating your orchid to a spot with natural day-night cycle.
Temperature: Coming from the Asian continent, this tropical plant loves nothing more than warm temperatures. To stimulate blooming it’s a good idea to set night temperatures 10 degree lower than your day temperatures. The temperature difference will help the orchid trigger blooming. Try this for 2-3 weeks in the blooming season. If its difficult for you to create such conditions, then try placing it in a shadow-y corner which is a bit cooler than your usual spots.
Humidity: Propagating a tropical plant in different surroundings is quite a challenge. Orchids hail from tropical forests with quick rain showers and humid weather. To incorporate such conditions its paramount to water the plant on regular cycle; so that, the roots of the plant holds adequate moisture level.
In winters, humidity is a point of distress, which can be easily taken care of by placing the orchid pot over a tray with gravels and water. The water that evaporates will create the perfect oasis for the orchid, keeping the surrounding air humid.
In addition, its mandatory to shift your orchids away from heating/radiating bodies!
Water: Humidity or moisture level is directly proportion to the watering cycle. In summer, its best to water the orchids every week or every 7-9 days. In winter, watering cycle should be anywhere between every two weeks or every 12-15 days.
A beautiful species like Orchid requires a unique watering method, which is: place your orchid pot in a water tub and allow it to sip water for about 5 to 7 mins! This is the best method to water orchids, as it will not harm the leaves, which is the usual case if you water them from top.
Orchid is a delicate plant, so you do want to avoid over watering it which will lead to declining growth. Orchids that are ready to bloom may shed their buds as a result of overwatering.
Many new growers worry over the thought of over-watering the plant and as a result end up dehydrating it. Consequently, the plant shrivels down its buds as the leaves starts absorbing water from the buds in the process of self-preservation.
Fertilizer: Orchids, tropically grow on a bark of a tree, from which it absorbs the required nutrients. We partially stimulate the same environment by using bark chips as our potting mix; but its important to boost the orchids with nutrients that help it grow by using organic urea-free fertilizers.
Caring for orchids is not big of a task, specially the first timers should be persistent and not give-up on the process of nurturing at one failure. And should keenly observe how the plant behaves in different scenarios and provide it with the best you can.
Growing orchids indoor could be a challenge for many, but by stimulating identical light and water conditions the plant can flourish in any part of the world.
Get busy growing orchids and keeping the world green!
Want to know more about:
How its done?
Cutting a spike or stacking up your Orchids, here is all you need to know!
Author: Kinnari
Welcome! I am Kinnari, a 20 something Engineer from Pune, India. Presently residing in Germany, which got me an opportunity to explore the world around me! Staying far from my family also got me a chance to step into the kitchen and put my apron on! Altogether a big opportunity to share my experiences with you!
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