Orchids are doubtless, one of the most beautiful existing flowers, if not the most beautiful at all.
Therefore, it is no wonder that orchid plants are becoming more and more popular among people to decorate and brighten up our homes.
It has been told that orchids are very fine and delicate flowers and that they request very special care.
Well, yes and no, I would say...
Let me explain.
There are more than 20.
000 different orchid species and the large number of hybrid species increases fourfold that amount.
Bearing this huge variety of orchid specimens in mind it will be easy to understand that many species demand very special care and requirements while many others do not.
Indeed, caring for orchids belonging to some types or species is no more demanding than caring for any other more common garden or house flower or plant, and what is more, most of the orchid species belong to this group.
Although it is very important to know what species your orchids are in order to care for them according to their need, I will be listing some tips and guides that can be considered as a common requirement for any orchid type (even if possibly with some rare exception).
Temperature: Try to keep your orchids between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
That's their favorite temperature! Light: Orchids love light...
but moderately! I mean, it is advisable to avoid midday sunlight direct to your orchid plant.
Otherwise, a good deal of dappled light during daytime is very good and even necessary for your orchid.
If you keep your orchid indoors, you will want to place it sitting in the eastern looking window.
In case natural daylight were not possible for any reason, you can also substitute it by a fluorescent light placed more or less a foot above the orchid plant, but that, only during daylight time.
Water: Orchids use not to be very demanding water plants.
Most important is not to over water the root of the plant since it could kill the blooms.
However, it is important for the flowers to remain moist.
Fertilizer: A good practice is to fertilize your orchid plant before the blooming season.
Then, if it blooms according to our expectations, fertilizing can be not needed until the next blooming season (there may be some exceptions but the mere aspect of our plant can tell us whether it needs fertilizer or not).
It is advisable to apply the fertilizer to our orchids in a diluted form.
And finally, avoid fertilizers that contain the compound called urea.