Orchids are one of the sturdy plants despite their flower's delicate appearance. Even if they thrive regardless of neglects, they still require some care. Caring for orchids is all you need in order to have the most beautiful, exotic and romantic flowers in your own house and to keep them blooming every season for the next years to come.
You do not need to be an experienced gardener nor do you need to have a greenhouse or a green thumb to keep your orchids as beautiful as possible. All you need are some of this easy, fun, and rewarding guide in caring for orchids.
* Letting your orchids sit in a waterlogged pot can be very harmful and dangerous. The frequency of when to water them depends greatly on a lot of factors such as the type of orchid, light conditions, temperature, container characteristics, and media.
If your orchids are actively growing, you can water them once a week. Make sure you allow them to dry up first before the next watering. Each time you water them, apply enough water to the point that water will drain from the bottom of the pot. However, if your orchids are growing in open bark mixes or in small or clay pots, then more frequent watering such as twice a week is necessary.
* You should know the importance of giving your orchids proper nutrients for them to grow and produce flowers. These needed nutrients are Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. You can find them in local garden supply stores. Make sure you read the directions in the label before using.
* Regular fertilization is also required for them to grow and bloom properly. But keep in mind that too much fertilizer can be potentially dangerous to the orchids. Easy and widely used fertilizers that are specifically made for orchids are the water-soluble types. You can apply these fertilizers monthly, but it may vary from manufacturer's recommendations.
Remember that depending on your orchids, fertilizing may require a higher ratio of nitrogen, such as 15-5-5 or 30-10-10 for orchids growing in barks; 20-20-20 for the mounted orchids; and 10-30-20 for the bloom-booster type.
* Reduce the application of fertilizer and water when the growth of the foliage stops. You can resume the application once a new leaf starts to grow again.
* Just like any other plants, orchids are also susceptible to pest attacks such as the scales, thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs. These insects feed on the leaves and flowers, making your orchids look unappealing and unattractive. The best thing to do in order to get rid of these insects is through the use of chemical sprays.
Make your orchids bloom again this year, next year, and the year after next. Caring for orchids will never be a hard thing to do with this helpful guide. Once you get the hang of caring for orchids, for sure you will have a wonderful and admirable family heirloom with you since some orchids can last for more than a hundred years.
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