3 Secrets To Great Orchids!

Over the years, I have found very few people who will grow orchids. When I ask them, I always hear the same thing: “It’s just not worth the effort.” This is a common myth people! Orchids are not that much more difficult than other flowers to cultivate, and the increased reward is worth a little extra effort. By using just a few little tricks of the trade, you can “wow” your neighbors and friends by successfully growing orchids in your home. If you learn these three secrets of orchid care, the rest comes easy.

Potting an Orchid
Orchids come from a very peculiar tropical climate, with different types of growing conditions. The two families of orchids are primarily classified by what kind of environment they grow in; one type grows on the bark of trees, and the other in the loose soil on the forest floor. You need to take this natural inclination into account when potting your orchid! You don’t want to use normal potting soil, because it is far too dense and heavy when watered; the roots won’t be able to breathe. Instead, use rotting bark or moss as your potting material. These light, airy materials provide the perfect living environment for your orchid. Additionally they play a big role in how you water your plant.

Watering Your Orchid
That point brings us to the next snag most people have with orchid care. Many people don’t understand that orchids have very peculiar watering needs. They only need to be watered once a week or so, especially if you grow them in moss or bark, as we discussed above. Orchid roots are very porous and spongy, and hold water for long periods of time, so they do not dry out quickly. Additionally, you can’t judge when to water your orchids by how dry the potting material looks. Most of the porous root is inside a hard layer, so you can’t tell by looking when orchids need water. Therefore, it is very important to keep to a schedule!

Humidity Factor
The difference between the 10% of great orchids, and 90% of just good orchids is in understanding how to fulfill their humidity requirements. Since orchids come from a tropical climate, they like humidity. In fact, good orchids require lots of humidity. However, since keeping a room at 80+ percent humidity would make it miserable to live in, you have to come up with a clever way to make it work. The trick is to use potters with holes in the bottom, and place it on a saucer or something similar. Beneath the base of your pot, place marble sized pebbles. Then fill the interior of the saucer with water. Voila! Instant humidity to your orchid as your water evaporates. This also serves a secondary purpose of protecting your orchids from over-watering.

As you can see, these three secrets to great orchids are really simple! There is nothing else about orchids that is anymore more complicated than this. In fact, if you apply these three little bits of knowledge, your orchids will improve dramatically in a very short amount of time. So get out there, and start growing!

By: Margaret Harris

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Margaret Harris has been growing flowers as a hobby for 25 years. Want to know more about www.orchids-center.com/caring-for-orchids/”>orchid care? Visit her website at www.orchids-center.com”>www.orchids-center.com for helpful tips and information on growing and caring for orchids.