Wild orchids are exotic plants that have been growing on Earth for many millions of years. Until now, they amaze people with their extraordinary beauty. But few people are willing to get this beautiful exotic plant at home. And why? The reason lies in the lack of knowledge and misunderstanding of the philosophy of this beautiful flower. Of course, wild orchids are very demanding, especially at the beginning of growth. But a grown plant is no longer so difficult to care for, and if you understand what it requires for flowering, then it will be as easy to care for it as for ordinary grass.
Orchids: caring for them
Unknowing people usually make the most common mistake by over-watering plants. Of course, many are guided by the fact that orchids grow in a warm, humid climate, and therefore they require a large amount of water. But these concepts are slightly different. Plants require a humid environment, that is, air should be moist, but they should not just stand in water. For orchids, just a disastrous amount of water. The amount of water completely depends on the ambient temperature. How to evaluate the accuracy of irrigation and determine the right moment for it? The most effective tool is the thumb. He needs to lean against the ground, and he will show the need for watering. Most often enough once a week, however, in the summer you have to water more often, and in winter - less often. Wild orchids are very demanding of such attention, so you can even set up an irrigation calendar to know exactly when you did it.
Another important part of the care is the fertilizer system. You need to be sure to use the fertilizer whose formula was developed specifically for orchids. It should be accompanied by detailed instructions for use. With a small or large amount of fertilizer, you can upset the balance, which will affect the health of the plant in a negative way.
Another factor that wild orchids are very demanding on is the amount of light. If it is not enough, then they will not bloom. Some orchids require a lot of light, so they need to be placed on the south side, but they should not be under the scorching sun, and some need more dim light, so they can be placed on other windows or put a protective screen. The flower itself serves as an indicator of the amount of light: if there is not enough light, then it acquires a green hue, and if there is a lot of light, it will become a reddish hue. The daylight hours should be an average of twelve hours.
If you constantly take care of orchids, then they will grow throughout your life, so you should think about how and where to transplant them, especially if there are a lot of them. If the plant grows in the garden, then you need to wait until a shadow appears in this place. The pot must be chosen a little higher than the one in which the orchid grows , the transplant is carried out every two to three years. The period after flowering is considered the optimal time for this. After the procedure, the plant needs to be left alone for a while, so that it gets used to a new place. It must be kept in relative dryness, so the wounds on the roots will heal faster. And in a week it is already possible to carry out planned fertilizer and irrigation.
Orchids: care after flowering
A special period in the life of a plant is the period after flowering. Usually it falls on winter time. At this time, orchids need to provide rest for six to eight months, watering them once a week and applying a minimum of fertilizer.
Some conclusions can be drawn. Despite the fact that orchids are very beautiful plants, they do not have special requirements for personal care, so do not be scared if you want to grow them. If you learn to correctly determine the optimal ratio of fertilizer and watering, then you can enjoy the beauty of these plants for many years.