Planting Orchids Can Be a Lot of Fun!

Do you know that planting orchids can be a lot of fun? Yes, it's true! I am not kidding. Gone are the days when those who dream of planting orchids can just remain in the state of dreaming. With the multitude of information available over the internet, you will not be surprised to learn that growing orchids can actually be a fun hobby. In fact, to some it can be very therapeutic.

I started my orchid planting as just a simple hobby. I saw my mom and grandma growing orchids and they feel so happy looking at the beautiful flowers. They have a variety of species as part of their collection and I grew up wondering, how easy or difficult this hobby can be. So, when I got the chance to buy my first very own orchid from a flea market, I decided to try this thing out.

To my surprise, planting orchids was not a very difficult task after all. I combined the tips I have learned and observed from my mom and grandma to what I have gathered over the net. It turned out to be a lot of fun after all. Specially the part when I get to experiment on the different potting mixtures. I tried using the traditional ones that I learned from my mother. And then when I saw that there are better ways, I tried to apply the new techniques. I also mixed organic and inorganic materials. But of course, nothing beats using what is natural; after all, orchid thrives mostly in the wild. The more natural their environment is, the better it is for them.

I also enjoyed repotting them, especially after their blooming season. This is the time when the orchids sprout a new life form, so it is best to do repotting. It is also wise to do repotting when you notice that the potting mix is decaying. It means that your orchids need a new home in order to bloom better.

It is also fun to protect your orchids from all sorts of pests. There was this one time when I saw my orchids being infested with mealy bugs. At first, I panicked because I did not know what to do. But then I immediately came to my senses and started to search on the internet what is the best way to treat mealy bugs the natural way. And I learned that with a simple mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide, you can free your orchids with mealy bugs. Whew! That was such a relief!

I also love watering my orchids. But one thing I learned that I keep as a golden rule is never water the orchid too much. I make it a point to check on the soil before I start watering it. If the soil is still moist, then I skip watering it. But when I feel that the soil is already dry, it's time to water it.

Linette Petersen is an orchid enthusiast who believes that anyone can grow beautiful orchids as long as they have the patience and the perseverance to pursue their desire. To learn more about planting orchids [http://www.howtocareforanorchid.com/planting-orchids/] or to get a copy of her FREE 'Orchid Care' mini-course, please visit her site How to Care for an Orchid [http://www.howtocareforanorchid.com].