Orchid Growing Tips
Orchids have an undeserved reputation as being difficult to grow. Although slightly more finicky than other types of plants, orchid plant care is not rocket science. These orchid growing tips will help you keep your orchids healthy and beautiful.
Water
As with most plants, orchids to better with under-watering than with over-watering. The type of growing medium plays a big part in determining watering frequency. However, no matter which type of potting medium you use, it should be dry between waterings.
You must adjust the watering schedule depending on the time of year, the humidity, the temperature, the age of the orchid, and the potting medium. As you become accustomed to various types of orchids, you will get to know the best orchid plant care for each type.
Generally speaking, waterings should be more frequent during periods of warm weather. The location of the orchid also plays a part in orchid plant care. Hanging baskets or pots dry out faster than standing containers, and orchids growing in bark or fiber must receive more frequent waterings when the medium is new.
Orchids growing in osmunda fiber require less watering because this medium retains water well, but the size of the planting container must also be considered because small containers dry out faster than larger ones.
All orchids require more water when they are blooming. Epiphytic orchids go into a rest phase after they finish blooming, so to encourage this you should reduce the waterings after they finish flowering. Orchid plant care for terrestrial orchids is slightly different because their rest periods occur during the fall and winter. At this time, their waterings should be reduced by half.
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