Orchid is a capricious plant. However, knowing the rules of caring for him, it is possible to grow a flower on the windowsill with his own hands, which, with its exotic beauty, is in no way inferior to the pets of a professional greenhouse.
The orchid is one of the most demanding overseas plants. However, one should not be afraid of her whims. Caring for orchids at home is quite a feasible task if you familiarize yourself with the basic rules for growing them before purchasing a flower.
Caring for orchids, like for any plants, consists of lighting, watering, feeding, replanting and providing an appropriate soil.
Orchid care: lighting
Proper lighting is one of the key factors in growing orchids. Their flowering will directly depend on this. If there is not enough light, then the plant will not have enough nutrition to develop. If the lighting is excessive, the flower will burn out. During the period of active development, the optimal daylight hours will be 12-15 hours. From November to March, the lack of natural light must be made up for with artificial light. You can use, for example, fluorescent lamps. In case of insufficient light, the leaves of the orchid acquire a dark color, and with excessive light, they turn yellow with brown blotches. Thus, it is possible to properly care for orchids, guided by their appearance.
How to water orchids
The next, no less important factor is watering. In natural conditions, orchids are rarely in water, so they cannot stand stagnation. In addition, due to the large variety of orchid species, each one has its own requirements. Home care for orchids should maximize these natural needs. Also, when watering, you must take into account the air temperature, the amount of sunlight, the level of humidity in the air and the volume of the pot. Drying is not so terrible for orchids as waterlogging. In the first case, the plant will shrivel, and in the second, the roots will begin to darken and rot, which can lead to the death of the flower. Watering orchids abundantly is necessary only during the period of active growth and flowering. The optimal amount of watering is 2-3 times a week. You need to take care of orchids this season, relying on the degree of dryness of the soil. The water should be at room temperature or slightly lukewarm. In winter and after flowering, moisture intake should be reduced.
Orchid feeding
Orchid care also includes proper feeding. It should be carried out only during the growing season. For this purpose, strictly specialized means are used. In no case should you fertilize orchids with mixtures intended for other flowers. A special fertilizer must be bought at a flower shop and diluted in water according to the instructions on the package. Top dressing is extremely important for flowering, so during this period, the orchid needs to be fertilized once every two weeks.
Soil for orchids, pots
The soil for epiphytic orchids should consist of bark, coal, moss, clay, cork, natural fibers and coarse sand. Such a substrate is characterized by friability and inability to become waterlogged, which is very important for orchids. The role of the pot can be played by baskets and pots made of wire or even mesh. Soil for terrestrial orchids consists of the same substrate as for epiphytes, only more crushed and with an admixture of earth, this will allow it to keep moisture well. Land orchids should preferably be planted in simple plastic containers with a slatted bottom to allow water to drain unhindered after watering. It is desirable that the container is transparent. This will allow you to monitor the condition of the root system of the flower. If desired, the container can be placed in a prettier pot, or hung in a planter.
Blooming orchid care
Many are interested in the question of how to care for orchids during flowering. During this period, it is important to provide the plant with sufficient moisture, minerals and direct sunlight. It is very important to maintain a high level of humidity around the flower. To do this, the leaves and aerial roots should be irrigated with warm water from a spray bottle. If necessary, this procedure must be repeated several times a day, however, make sure that the flower has time to dry out before night.
Orchids love 60-80% humidity. During this period, the plant needs a lot of fresh air. Therefore, proper maintenance of orchids during flowering includes regular airing of the room. Orchids love air circulation, however strong drafts should be avoided. An important factor for good flowering of orchids is daily temperature fluctuations. The optimum daytime air temperature is 18-27˚С, and the nighttime temperature is 13-24˚С. Sometimes, plants accustomed to high air temperatures are specially transferred to cool places. This stimulates the ejection of the peduncle.
What to do when the orchid has faded
It is also necessary to raise the question of how to care for orchids after flowering. When the plant has bloomed and the peduncle has begun to fade, you do not need to cut it off immediately. The fact is that for a long time after flowering, the peduncle feeds the plant with its juices. Only when the peduncle becomes completely yellow can you safely cut it off. In general, caring for orchids after flowering is fairly straightforward. It is necessary to reduce the supply of moisture and fertilizers. If the plant was transplanted, then flowering may not be observed for about a year.
Orchid transplant
Transplanting orchids must be done when the leaves extend beyond the pot in width. It is advisable to transplant between stages of active growth. It is necessary to carefully remove the plant from the old pot, trying not to injure the roots. Then, to the maximum, remove the old soil from the roots, and cut off dry or rotten roots. The new container should be two sizes larger than the previous one. Its bottom is covered with fresh substrate, then the orchid is placed there, and the remaining volume is filled up with soil. The inter-root space does not need to be compacted with earth. The substrate should be loose. After transplanting, the flower should be lightly watered and placed in a cool place for 3-5 days.
