Temperature . . . Humidity . . . Water . . . Light - The Basics of Orchid Care

 
If you are adamant about nurturing gorgeous, good quality orchids that will be enjoyed by the whole family – and have your friends green with envy – Then you need to know these 4 words:

1.            Temperature

2.            Humidity

3.            Water

4.            Light

Yep that is all. You will find that each type of orchid has its own unique needs as far as these 4 words go. Learn which orchids you are growing and then learn what amount of each of the four things that you types need.

There must be light.

Let’s talk about the last one first. Light makes or breaks the orchid many times, not just for the health of the plant, but also its shape and overall size too.

Are you not positive how much light your specific orchid has to have?

Here are some quick pointers. Examine the shape and size of the orchid. If it has slim and long leaves it needs a lot of light. The fact is it should have light most of the day.

If on the other hand the leaves are wide and soft, this one needs less light. These orchids will grow well in shade.

If you see that your plant changes from looking healthy to looking gloomy, this is a good sign that it may need more light among other things.

The orchids have certain requirement for water.

No doubt about this fact, this is the #1 vital requirement of orchid care. But you have to stop and think about the fact that orchids only need watering with the planting mixture is dry. Cultivating orchids always consist of balancing amounts of water and air to the plants. The roots of orchids have to have the right amount of air to keep the mixture they are grown in from rotting. This will result in fungus growing and numerous other infections or diseases to happen.

Some orchids require more water than others. The tips here will let you know if you have to water your beloved flower. Add water to your plant if it is:

· Planted in a small pot of less than 4”.

· If the pot it is planted in is made of clay.

· Either in or mounted in basket.

· In an environment that has a humidity level lower than 40%

· If too much water is evaporating from it due to the airflow.

· Has thin leaves or little leaf growth.

 The temperature – more vital than you know.

Even those these blooms look so very delicate, they have survived in a wide range of temperatures. The temperature varying several degrees at times will not mean life or death to your orchid, but you need to know the few rules that you need to go by to make sure you have the healthiest plant you can have.

Orchids are actually divided into 3 categories as far as their temperature requirements go. Let’s talk about the medium category first the orchids in this group are ones like Epidendrums, Laelias, Oncidiums, and Cattleyas. This group does not like any temperatures below 60 degrees F at night and no temperatures above the 70s in the day.

The next group is the cool category and includes such orchids as Cypripediums, Cymbidiums, Miltonias, and Odontoglossums. These can endure temperatures that are from 5 to 10 degrees colder than the medium category. But these have a high light requirement to remember.

The last one is the warm category group. Among the orchids in this category are the Paphiopedilums, Phalaenopsis, Rynchostylus, Vandas, and Dendrohiums. These varieties of orchids grow great in temperatures approximately 5 degrees hotter than the medium category. These should never be in temperatures lower than 45 degrees F.

 Humidity is of the utmost importance!

Humidity is actually just water vapor – or the moisture in the air. In the parts of the country described as dry the humidity is on the low side. In the cool parts of the country the humidity is higher.

Orchids from the tropics require warm, humid air. This helps make up for their poor root system. You can provide them with the necessary moisture by placing a pool or tank in the middle of the plants.

These orchids truly need watering 2 to 3 times daily. In the summer it is vital that they not dry out or they may dry up! The younger the orchids are the larger their water intake may be.

Most of the orchids require a lever of humidity that is from 60 to 80 %. In the summer in most parts of the country this is not too difficult to attain. This is even truer if the plants are grown outside.

But if you are trying to grow orchids indoors, you have to be cautious. Both heating and air conditioning can make the air dryer. If this is the case for you consider getting and using a humidifier.

Here is another way to kick up the humidity with your orchids: take a tray and fill it with pebbles or stones and then fill with water, then place you orchids on top. Be careful not to let the plants touch the water. Group several plants together like this and it will increase the humidity by making a mini climate.