10 Quick Tips to Keep Your Orchids Looking Gorgeous
By McClaren Jackson
Caring for your orchids can be a very fulfilling experience if you know what
you’re doing. The problem is that many do not know the secrets to producing
and maintaining beautiful blooming orchids.
Contrary to popular belief, getting great results with orchids does not require the intelligence of a rocket scientist. Here are 10 tips on improving your orchids that
you can implement straight away:
Tip #1
Watering Your Orchids: Don’t give your orchids too much water. If there is
any point at which your pot is waterlogged, you orchids will not be happy.
Some species like the Vanda and the Phalaenopsis orchids should actually be
left to dry before you water them again. In general, wait for anywhere from
5 days to 2 weeks before watering your orchids again. Let the time of year
help you decide, for example: In the summer your watering should be a little
more frequent than in the months with less light.
Tip #2
Keep an eye on your window orchids: If you have your orchids sitting on your windowsill it is probably because you know that they need sufficient light.
That is true, but be careful when the sun is out that you do not leave your orchids
in the window for too long otherwise dark spots will develop on the leaves.
If the green leaves are fading, move your plant from the window before
it is too late.
Tip #3
Cymbidiums: Such a popular species because they stay in bloom for long periods
which is very satisfying. You should move your cymbidium orchid outdoors
during the summer months but be sure to keep them from getting direct sunlight
and keep track of the amount of water they are getting…that is, if you are
watering them, make sure that they are not getting an extra watering from
rainfalls. That being said, Cymbidiums love water, especially when they are
blooming so this a species to keep moist at all times…but still not waterlogged
(see tip #1).
Tip #4
Choose Your Orchids Carefully: If you know that your home has low lighting,
then here are some species you should be growing indoors: Paphiopedilum
(Slipper Orchids), Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) and Ludisia and other
jewel orchids.
Tip #5
Paphiopedilum “Slipper” Orchids: Arguably one of the most exotic species
readily available. Again, keep these moist, watering them at the break of day
with warm tap water. Make sure that the soil never becomes dry. For best
results, keep these plants in a shaded area of a bright room away from
the direct sunlight.
Tip #6
If Your Orchids Are Not Blooming: If your plant appears to be healthy but
there is not a flower in sight, the most common reason for this is that they are
not getting enough light. Now please do not take them from a dark basement
to a direct sunlit window all of a sudden. Moving your orchid where it will
receive more light should be done gradually to ensure that they handle the
change properly.
Tip #7
Don’t tamper with your orchids too soon: When orchid lovers begin to
see their orchids blooming, one of the common mistakes made is to try to
get another plant out of it…that is, in their glee they try to divide to orchid.
Please do not do this too early in the orchid’s life. Allow it to grow to full
size before you divide it.
Tip #8
How Do I Speed Up the Blooming Process? If you can control the temperature
where your indoor orchids are, you will be able to stimulate their growth.
Make sure to drop the temperature by 10° at night and take it back up
during the day.
Tip #9
Keep your Orchid Away from Tobacco Smoke: Sometimes this may be
the only reason why your orchid is not happy…and by the way, this is not
just a ploy to get you to stop smoking; there is an RNA virus called the
Tobacco Mosaic Virus that will affect your orchids if you smoke around them.
Tip #10
Getting Rid of Pests: Prevention is better than cure. If you are taking good
care of your orchid, paying close attention to it’s specific needs for watering,
lighting, temperature etc then you are halfway there. Also remember that debris
like dead leaves also help to harbor pests so make sure that you keep the pot
clean and free of dead leaves. If you already have a serious pest issue with
your orchids you may have to use an insect spray but be careful to test it first
on a tiny bit of the plant to make sure that it is not too strong/poisonous
for your orchid.
How can I grow the most stunning orchids?
McClaren Jackson has published the *ultimate* guide:
An information-rich e-manual called
“Orchids R’ Growing”
Free Details: http://www.orchidsrgrowing.com
Free Newsletter: mailto:info@orchidsrgrowing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=McClaren_Jackson
http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Quick-Tips-to-Keep-Your-Orchids-Looking-Gorgeous&id=463360
