Orchid plant

Orchids are an extremely popular flower. With up to 35,000 species available, they actually comprise the largest family of flowering plants on earth. In fact, one seventh of all plants are orchids. The range within the orchid family, as you can imagine, is quite staggering. Two varieties of orchid actually flower completely underground, never seeing the light of day. Others are purely aquatic. Some varieties can be found in the Arctic. The majority of orchid species, however, live in the tropics. There is also a wide variance in the size of the different species. The flower of the smallest variety is just 2 millimeters ( .08 inches) while the giant orchid has a flower that can measure up to 38 centimeters ( 15 inches).

The popularity of the orchid is no doubt partly due to the wide variety available. Take the colors available for example. According to your preference you can get your orchids in red, orange, yellow, green, purple, brown and even a rare type of blue. Orchids are also wonderful mimics. Species resemble various objects that we are familiar with, including a lady’s slipper, butterflies, kites and even birds in flight. So, how about beautifying your own environment with a display of orchids?

Many people believe that orchids are both expensive and difficult to cultivate. While it’s true that this is the case with some varieties, there are many others that are well within the average budget and no more difficult than any other flowering plant to cultivate. Visit one of the many orchard retailers out there and ask to view some varieties that are suitable for the home windowsill. You will find many choices, so assemble a grouping of plants to suit your individual taste.

Orchids are different from your average houseplant in that they don’t grow in soil. Putting you lovely new orchid in soil is actually a good way to kill the plant. Rather, grow your indoor plant in a pot that is filled with loosely packed bark, stone or similar material. You need to allow for the roots to readily receive air and water.

You should water your orchids about once every week. Once the flower has dried out rewater it. Do not, however, over water your orchids. A trick to get the most out of your flowering orchid is to adjust the day and night time temperatures to more closely simulate the temperature variation that occurs when the plant is grown in the wild. If you are able to lower the temperature on your thermostat in the area where you have your orchids at night, do so by ten degrees Fahrenheit. This is especially important in the autumn and winter, which is when many species begin to bud. Try not to expose your orchids to temperatures above ninety degrees Fahrenheit.

You will find that orchids are classified according to their ideal growing temperature. Thus there are warm growing, intermediate growing and cool growing orchids. Be aware that the temperatures given refer to the minimum overnight temperature that the plant can withstand during the winter period. When choosing your orchids be aware of what type of temperature classification it has. Warm growing orchids have a minimum winter temperature of sixty degrees Fahrenheit, intermediate growing orchids being fifty five degrees and cool growing orchids at fifty degrees.

Another classification of orchids is with regard to the amount of light they need to function optimally. The classifications are high, medium and low. You will want to expose your orchid to at least six hours of light per day, regardless of it’s classification. Generally the more light provided the better the orchid will perform. You can tell if your orchid is receiving adequate amounts of light by observing the color of the leaves. If the leaves are a dark green color, this indicates that the plant is not getting enough light. The ideal leaf color for adequate light is about the color of grass, that is light or medium green. The best windows are generally southern and eastern facing ones.

Fertilize your orchids once per week with a weak solution of 20-20-20 fertilizer. Don’t overdo the fertilizer however. In the Autumn switch to a blossom-bloom fertilizer. Orchids really appreciate good humidity. If you have a humidifier in your home palce it near to your orchids. Otherwise you can place your orchid pots on a tray of flat pebbles to which water is added. Ensure sufficient air movement around your orchids to ward off infections and bacteria.

Follow through on these orchid care pointers and you will be rewarded with some truly magnificent specimens in you own home.