The orchid has the same needs as any plant, namely water, food, a certain amount of warmth and light. Not all orchids need the same type of care but all have these basic requirements. Most orchids sold for the home grower are no more demanding than any other house plant as long as you follow some simple rules.
Growing Medium
Orchids cannot be grown in regular compost or soil as they have very different roots systems to other house plants. Unlike regular plant compost orchid growing media is not nutrient rich. The main function of the growing medium for orchids is to act as an anchor for the plant. The 2 most important factors to consider when choosing your medium are to ensure that it provides excellent drainage and permits air to circulate around the roots.
There are several types of growing medium to choose from suck as bark, charcoal, coconut fiber, cork, sphagnum moss and rock wool. Many experienced growers usually like to come up with their own particular mix. Special blended media can be purchased to suite your particular species from many garden centers and stores.
Temperature
It is a commonly thought that orchids require constant high temperatures; this is just not the case some day to day variation is of some benefit to the orchid plant. Most orchids need some difference between the day and night time temperatures.
The temperature requirements of orchids vary from species to species but you should try to provide the temperature that your particular orchid plant would have in its natural habitat.
Orchids are classified as being cool, intermediate or warm orchids and an indication of the day time temperature requirements are detailed below;
Cool Orchids 55 - 70 F (13 - 21C)
Intermediate orchids 65 - 75 F (18 - 24C)
Warm Orchids 70 - 85 F (21 - 30C)
Never place your orchid directly in from of a fire or another heat source, Exposure to temperatures below 41F (5C) or above 90F (32C) for prolonged periods can be harmful or even fatal to your plant.
Humidity
Orchids generally need a higher humidity level than the average house plant. As a good rule of thumb you should try to maintain a relative humidity level of 50%to 85% around your orchid.
Very few homes would have this level of humidity naturally and indeed the majority of us would not be able to tolerate it either. So what we need to do is create a micro-climate around our orchid plants. The best way of achieving a good humidity level around our orchid plants is by placing them on a humidity tray.
A humidity tray can be made quite simply. Obtain a tray or shallow pot that is at least 3" deep and fill it with 1 to 2" of gravel or small pebbles. Place a saucer on top of the pebbles on which to place your potted orchid. Add water to the tray so that the pebbles are half submerged in water; NEVER let the water rise up to the bottom of the orchid pot itself. As the water in the tray evaporates it will provide a nice humid environment around your plants.
In dryer periods, or if you have a centrally heated home you can "top up" the humidity level by occasional misting of your plants. Spray the leaves and the roots trying to avoid the flowers themselves. But be sure to do this early in the day as your orchid leaves should never be left "wet" overnight.
I would strongly suggest that you use a humidity meter to best gauge the humidity levels. Indeed inexpensive combined digital thermometer and humidity meters are readily available.
Watering
As a good rule your orchid plant will need to be watered every 5 - 12 days depending upon seasonal conditions. It is best to water your orchids in the morning as this is when they would naturally receive moisture in their natural environment from the early morning mists. You should also water your plants from above and never fill the tray up with water. Your plant should NEVER be allowed to stand in water as the roots will soon rot if they become saturated and water logged. One of the most common causes of orchid plants dying is from being over-watered. The growing medium should feel moist but never wet.
Air
Your orchid plant should be placed in an area where it receives good air circulation but one that is also free from cold droughts. So it should not be placed in front of or close to an external door opening.
Light
Light is a basic requirement for your orchids growth. The majority of orchids grow best in indirect sunlight that copies the shaded lighting conditions they would receive in their natural habitat. Full midday sun is usually too strong for the average orchid plant which will result in leaf burn.
Feeding
Orchids naturally receive nourishment from decaying material that gathers around their roots. The nutrients provided are generally fairly week. So as a general rule you should only feed your orchid every 3 or 4 watering. This feeding can stop or be reduced in periods of non-growth. There are several propriety orchid feeds that are available from your garden center or store. And commonly different types are available for use when your orchid is in bloom.
Jonathan Lawes is an orchid expert. For more information on caring for orchids,visit http://www.orchidgardenanswers.com.
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