How to Care for Orchids
“When the orchids are blooming, I always remember you.
Remembering the sweet times, when you told me you love me”. Those are part of
the lyrics about orchids and love written by the famous Indonesian composer
Ismail Marzuki, which its Dutch version became very popular among the Dutch
people. You can play the song below.
“When the orchids are blooming, I always remember you.
Remembering the sweet times, when you told me you love me”. Those are part of
the lyrics about orchids and love written by the famous Indonesian composer
Ismail Marzuki, which its Dutch version became very popular among the Dutch
people. You can play the song below.
Orchids are indeed the expression of love as well as many
other feelings. Orchid is a language that expressed itself by its value of
beauty and colorfulness. White colored orchids for instance may convey sincerity
and trust of genuine love and kindness. White orchids also represent the hope
of a new beginning such as first dating, engagement and weddings
Orchids positive traits
No wonder that orchids become the most favorite house plant
in quite a short time. It is the #2 largest family of the flowering plant that
includes about 24,000 species found in bare nature and looked after in homes
and offices. More hybrids are cultivated in plant houses and orchid gardens to
yield more beautiful flowers making them more and more admired
Other things that made them so popular as house plants is
that they can easy grow in condition with enough water, air and light. They
will even thrive better with the presence of a fertilizer. The majority of
orchid species could live in rooms or other places in temperatures between 25ºC
and 30ºC, while some species will be comfortable in cooler temperatures.
The ease in growing is shown by the Phalaenopsis orchid
which due to its easy adaptability in room environments it becomes the
preferred orchid decoration in homes and offices.
Depending on species, orchid flowers can bloom with
different life spans ranging from a month to continuous blooming all over the
year. The Cattleya blooms for only a month, while the flowers of Phalaenopsis
can last for 2 to 3 months. Their blooming frequency also differs, from only
once in a year to several times and even to continuous blooming.
Another positive trait is their fragrance that comes in various
intensity and strength. Their variety can range from mild to strong smell and
fruit like smell to flowery. Some of the orchids possess unique smell such as
lilac, raspberry, citrus and even chocolate.
Caring for orchids
The most suitable media for orchid planting is in bark which
is better than the common potting soil. Using common potting soil might block
the circulation of water and air especially at the root part of your orchid. The
New Zealand
sphagnum moss is also a good medium for orchid planting. Thus the most
comfortable container to grow your orchid is simply a pot that will provide
good water drainage assuming you use the bark or sphagnum moss.
Providing your orchid with sufficient watering is also very
important. A frequency of once or twice in a week is good for most of the
orchids. During summer or in warmer climate you can increase watering frequency
to every 4 – 5 days. Follow this simple rule: more heat, more water and less
heat, less water. Please also be aware that orchids placed in sphagnum moss
need lees water. Thus a frequency of watering them every 7 to 10 days will be
sufficient.
Then, the exposure to light is also a critical factor when
caring for orchids. Although the majority of orchids do not need too strong
light, but depending on the orchid species the needed intensity may differ from
one to another species. The most suitable spot for your orchid is the east
facing window. This spot will provide an exposure to the morning sun while
later in the day getting a mild intensity of the afternoon shade.
Placing your orchid in a corner with very strong light will
cause damage which is indicated by a yellow coloring of the leaves. If you find
some yellow coloring at the base of the leaves, move your orchid to another
spot with lesser light or use a sunlight blocker or barrier. Yellowing leaves
may also be an indication of poor feeding. You can fix this by applying a
fertilizer once every fortnight.
