Overwatering orchids will kill the roots quickly. The general rule of thumb is to water every 5 to 12 days. During summer, more frequent watering is required than in the cooler, shorter days of winter.
Photo Credit: flickr/Galileo55
Outdoors
Plant of the Week: Orchid
by Homesessive
Long known as a symbol for beauty and love, the orchid has inspired many hundreds of societies and clubs worldwide to be established. Though thought of as a tropical plant, several species grow very well in room temperatures with the proper amounts of water, air, fertilizer, and light. It is because of this that the orchid has become one of today’s most favorite household plants.
Orchidaceae are well known for the many structural variations in their flowers. There are at least 35,000 orchid species on every continent on planet Earth, excluding Antarctica. Because of the abundance of options, finding the perfect variation for your home becomes dependent on where you live and your personal taste. Taking care of an orchid may require a bit of work, so we've compiled a list of helpful hints on taking care of this beautiful plant in your home.
View the slideshow above for tips on how to maintain your orchid throughout the year!
Photo Credit: flickr/Galileo55
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Keep your orchids away from heat sources like refrigerators. These will dry out the air and kill your plant.
Photo Credit: Alexander Baker
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Many hobbyists have been successful with just ordinary fluorescent lights. You can also buy the more expensive fluorescent plant lights that give off a broader spectrum of light.
Photo Credit: flickr/CameliaTWU
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Place the orchid near a brightly lit window but out of direct sunlight.
Photo Credit: Alexander Baker
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Maintain desirable temperatures: daytime temperatures should be from 65 F to 85 F and nighttime temperatures from 50 F to 65 F.
Photo Credit: flickr/tamburix
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If your air is dry, try to mist leaves and buds (not if they're open flowers) once or twice a day.
Photo Credit: flickr/BarbaraWilli
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Do not let plants sit in water, as their roots will rot and the plant will die.
Photo Credit: flickr/SusanK…
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Try to plant your orchid in a large, well-drained pot with osmunda fiber or pine bark. Orchid roots need plenty of space for air as they grow.
Photo Credit: Alexander Baker
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Fertilize the orchid once a month with a 30-10-10 orchid fertilizer.
Photo Credit: flickr/outdoorPDK
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Re-pot the orchid every 2 to 3 years. Remove the orchid from the pot and remove any brown roots.
Photo Credit: flickr/fanonymonk
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