It certainly can be frustrating to hear that caring for orchids is easy while yours are slowly losing their leaves and looking sicker on a daily basis. It’s high time you finally learned the facts. It is simple, but sometimes not easy. If you learn just a few simple things about your orchid and pay attention to it, you will do just fine, and your orchid will repay you with vibrant growth. You cannot just take your vanda and put it in the same place as your healthy phal. They have different requirements. But if you concentrate on four basic elements, you can give your orchid the care it needs. They are light, water, temperature and fertilizer. All you need to do is adjust the amounts of these four elements for your particular orchid type.
Luckily, most orchids have some common preferences. For example, the most popular orchids do best when the environment is humid. You can accomplish this by putting a layer of small rocks in a tray and put water in the tray to almost the top of the rocks. With your potted orchid on the stones, the evaporating water creates the perfect humid air. Just be certain the orchids’ roots are not soaking in the water. Also make sure that there is good air circulation around your orchid. In terms of lighting, most will do well in an east facing window. Depending on your orchid type, it may require more light, but be sure to avoid direct sunlight. Make sure it is filtered or you will burn your leaves.
You can find orchids growing naturally in many places around the world. This tells us that your orchid will do well if the same combination of these four elements is supplied. Your job is to determine the correct combination and create the same environment in which your orchid naturally grows. Now, don’t think you need to have all sorts of measuring instruments telling you the temperature, humidity and moisture in the roots. You can easily determine most of this just with some good old fashioned attention to your orchid.
Some simple observation can tell you a lot. For example, take a look at the roots and see how they feel. Are they soggy? Then by all means don’t give your orchid any water. Perhaps the roots look fine, but the leaves have begun to turn yellow and to fall off. Then maybe it is getting too much direct light. Do you see any signs of pests or disease?
Following is an overview of basic needs for some of the most popular, and easiest to grow orchid types. So determine which orchids you have and follow these guidelines.
Dendrobium Orchids
Dendrobiums are one of the easiest and therefore most popular orchids. Your Dendrobium does better with moderate light. Use your observation, but they typically require water every one or two weeks. They like even moisture when in the growing phase, but refer to dry out some when they are more dormant. Keep the temperature between 50 and 70, and feed it once a month.
Phalaenopsis Orchids
Phalaenopsis orchids are often the ones you see in stores, especially the white moth orchid, and are commonly given as gifts. A native of the tropical regions of Asia, it comes in a lot of colors and is one of the longest blooming orchids. Most Phalaenopsis prefer low light conditions. It does not have the pseudobulbs that can store water, so it is more susceptible to drying out. They do better when kept constantly moist, but not soaking wet. Best temperature range is 50 to 75F.
Cymbidium Orchids
Cymbidiums are growing in popularity, and again, this is partly do with how easy they are to grow. They do best in bright lighting, and they can even do well in the garden if the temperatures are not too extreme. Cymbidiums like to be consistently moist, but do not soak them. Keep away from direct sun, as this can burn the leaves. This is another orchid that prefers temps between 50 and 70F, although you may get more blooms by always keeping the temperature on the cooler side.
Cattleya Orchids
One more orchid that comes in a range of colors, some Cattleya orchids have contrasting stripes and other patterns. There are possibly more hybrids of Cattleya than any other variety of orchid. They prefer bright, but again indirect light. Their leaves will be brighter green if they are getting enough light. Water thoroughly when they are in their growth phase, but cut back once flowers start appearing. Allow the plant’s roots dry out between waterings. Can you guess the best temperature? Right, 50 to 70F. See you know a lot already!
So there are four of the most popular and easiest growing orchids, and the basics of what they need to do well.As you observe and make adjustments to keep your orchid happy, you will learn the exact amounts of water, light, food and temperature that work the best. Just don’t stop trying if you have a setback. You never know, it might even turn into a passion of yours just like it has for numerous others.
Caring for orchids is not difficult, but many think so. So Brian Paul made the decision to share his know-how with others by releasing these orchid growing guidelines and a FREE orchid care minicourse. Get yours at Growing Orchids
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