Caring for Orchids - The Basics

To keep your plants healthy the gardener will say you need good sunlight, enough water and an even humidity and temperature that suits the plants. The basics of caring for orchids are not much different it does indeed some down to these factors such as temperature, humidity, water, and light in the end.

The tricky part in caring for orchids is in knowing how much is good and when it

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becomes bad. The actual problem is that there are more than a few thousand varieties in the world and each one needs different care. This is what complicates the life of the multiple orchid growers. Let’s see if we can simply and demystify the process, shall we.

One of the factors that should be taken into consideration when caring for orchids, consider the light needed. It can be sunlight or an artificial source such as a plant light in a greenhouse.

The size and the shape of the orchid that you are caring for will determine just how much light the plant needs. If the leaves are long and slim the orchid will need strong light for the majority of the day. If the leaves are soft and wide the orchid plant will need less amount of light and need to be placed in a shaded area.

One of the tips in caring for orchids is that at any time with a plant that looks gloomy, if you shift it into more light it will usually perk up unless there is some other problem.

Now we talk about water. This is the single variable in caring for orchids that can make or break the cultivated plant. The orchid needs water only when the soil is dry, remember that the orchid roots need air and water and if clogged or flooded with too much then the roots will rot.

That is something you don’t want happening to our orchid. While some species need more water than others if your orchid is growing in a high humidity area it will need less water. If it is in a small clay pot it will need more water.

If it is windy and the air currents are causing extra evaporation the plant will need its moisture replenished. Use your own judgment when it comes to caring for orchid, after some time you will know what the right amount of water is.

Orchid plants fall into three main groups when classified based on their temperature range needs. These are the warm temperature class where the plants should not be exposed to anything less than 45 degree F.

These include Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilums, Vandas, Rhynchostylus and Dendrohiums Next is the medium temperature class which thrives in the 60 to 70 degree F range. This group includes Cattleyas, Epidendrums, Oncidiums and Laelias Last and not the least is the cool temperature class where the plants can stand five to ten degrees cooler temperature than the medium class.

Cymbidiums, Cypripediums, Odontoglossums and Miltonias are included here A variance of a few degrees here or there will not mean death and disaster to the orchid, but if you are caring for orchids in a particular temperature range try and provide it with that temperature range.

The water vapor in the air is the humidity refer to. The poor root system of the tropical orchids need warm humid air to survive. Placing the plants near a pool or tank of water can provide the required moisture.

Usually 60 to 80 percent humidity needs to be maintained when caring for orchids. This sums up the basics in caring for orchids that you must know about caring for orchids.