Many people falsely believe that caring for orchids is very difficult and expensive. We now have over 100,000 hybrids from more than 25,000 species. This means that there is an orchid that will fit into anyone's lifestyle and budget regardless of their level of horticultural skill.
Many general house and garden plants do not require a lot of work and this is the case for most types of orchids as well. However, some orchids do have special requirements. Finding out the requirements particular to your flower is the first step in orchid care. The very beautiful and exceptionally delicate blooms of an orchid set them apart from most regular plants. Orchids are very popular and rewarding because of this. With care and attention to your orchid, your plant will be as healthy and bloom as well as it did in the store.
One of the most popular orchids that is regularly seen in stores and given as a gift is the Phalaenopsis. This particular orchid has purple or white blooms and is very popular due to the ease of care over some of the less common varieties of orchid. Your Phalaenopsis orchids, when correctly cared for, will produce magnificent blooms for up to three months.
Orchids need plenty of light throughout the day so they should be placed near a window. The best sunlight for your orchid is either the morning or afternoon sun, while avoiding the harsh direct midday sun. The best placement for your plant is the eastern side of your home. You can also use artificial light with fluorescent light tubes set about one foot or 30 cm above the orchid flowers however, you need to limit the exposure to this artificial light to regular daylight hours.
The optimum temperatures for orchids range from 50 degrees Fahrenheit to no more than 80 degrees. These temperatures will see your orchid thrive. However, anything over 90 degrees and you will find that your plant will lose its buds or may even stop blooming. Keeping the flowers moist is most important, but be careful not to over water the roots or you may find that the blooms will die. The best way to water your orchid is once every few weeks or you can sit your orchid pot in a water tray. Ensure that the roots of your orchid do not touch the water tray otherwise they will soak up too much water.
A great tip for keeping your orchid in bloom for the maximum amount of time is to fertilize the plant before it blooms. However, once it has bloomed, you don't need to fertilize it any longer until the flowering period is complete. Another tip for keeping your orchid in bloom for the maximum amount of time is to carefully prune your orchid while it is blooming. You will be amazed to see a second set of flowers develop. By following these easy steps, you will be able to own a beautiful orchid plant that will display a full and rich bloom throughout the flowering season.
John M. Barry is an orchid expert. For more great information on caring for orchids and to receive your FREE mini-course on easy to follow tips and tricks on caring for orchids, visit http://www.allaboutgrowingorchids.com
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