CARING FOR ORCHIDS - THE BASICS
That beautiful orchid can bloom again and again for many years with just a few simple basics. Your orchids will thrive with the right amount of light and water, temperature and humidity level. Let's take a closer look.
- The best place for your orchid plants is on a nice sunny windowsill with morning and afternoon sun that is free from drafts (a window with southern exposure would be best). If the window is large and the sunlight intense, then it may be better to set them about 20 inches back from the windowpane. Orchids like bright sunlight but also need a period of time in the shade. Just watch how they do and you'll soon see what location is best.
- If you don't have a sunny windowsill, you can use fluorescent lighting. They will need at least 12 hours under the lights to insure healthy growth and flowering. Fluorescent lights made for plants would be best.
- Providing the right amount of water is of course the most important requirement. To make sure they get the right amount of water first, understand the water needs of your particular species; and second, water only when the potting soil or growing medium is dry. Orchids potted in a bark mix or clay pot need more frequent watering.
- Maintaining the correct temperature and humidity level is also important. Placing the pots on decorative pebbles in a water-filled tray will help maintain the humidity level at a desirable level. Misting the plants is a good practice too, but do not soak them because that can cause bacterial or fungal diseases to develop. Each species has different optimum temperatures. But ordinarily, most orchid species will adapt themselves well to their home environment and will grow nicely.
