Orchid Nurturing Tips

I’ve shared that how over the years, I was drawn into ‘nurturing’ orchids. Initially, I did a lackluster job because I didn’t genuinely take the time to do my research. The fact is orchids are low maintenance plants and the rewards are in a way therapeutic. The exhilaration of watching it bloom under your care is like a shot of endorphins! For an orchid to thrive, the right conditions have to be met.

LIGHT – It needs an abundant amount of light all season. Place it, preferably in an east facing window.

My orchids soaking up the sun in the east facing window.

WATER - My costly mistake in the past was over-watering. Once weekly in the winter and twice weekly in the summer is enough. Make sure the medium is dry in between watering. Take the plant to a sink where you can run the tap water copiously through the medium. With paper towel, wipe dry any water trapped in the crown to avoid rotting. Orchids don’t like their ‘feet wet.’ Placing pebbles or marbles in the bottom of the ceramic pot helps avoid this issue. Use tepid water temperature.

Planters specifically made for orchids. I place pebbles on the bottom of planters if they don't come with built-in saucers to make sure the roots don't sit in water which can cause root rot.

AIR – Orchids are epiphytes. They grow attached to trees in the wild therefore they don’t require soil so instead, growers use a medium consisting of bark chips, perlite, peat moss, or coconut husks available in nurseries. Planters with holes on its sides are specifically for them to facilitate air movement.

TEMPERATURE - Orchids are tropical plants. Majority are native to Asia and South America- at least the ones sold in grocery stores or local nurseries. It makes them perfect houseplants for us living in the Midwest and the north. If you live in the south, then you can grow them outside.

HUMIDITY – According to the American Orchid Society, orchids require 40-70%. A humidity gauge will adequately measure this but personally I don’t own one. I don’t worry about this with mine as long as I’m providing adequate lighting and temperature.

Don’t be intimidated by orchids! Chances are, what you see in stores are Phalaenopsis orchids which are natives to the Philippines. They are the best orchids to try out first. They’ll reward you with long lasting blooms for months and can re-bloom up to 2 times a year in the right conditions.

She isn't done blooming. These flowers started opening up first week of December last year. It's now mid-April and she still has a bud due to open soon.

Feel free to comment and ask me questions regarding my orchid nurturing experience. I’m by no means an expert but somewhere along the way, I must have done something right.

#Phalaenopsis #orchids