Who says that you can only enjoy beautiful orchids at a glance
from your outside garden? Now, you can enjoy these wonderful flowers
in the comforts of your own home. Having an orchid as a houseplant
does require some discipline, however, if taken care of properly,
it can make a lovely indoor accessory.
What is Needed:
1. Soil
2. Pot for the Orchid
3. Lukewarm Water
4. Good Lighting
5. Good Ventilation
Guidelines and Instruction For Growing an Orchid Indoors:
1. Good lighting is essential for an orchid, an east or west-facing
window is ideal, but they do no like direct sunlight. They need
about 10 to 15 hours of light each day.
2. In the wintertime, they must be sheltered from unfiltered sunshine.
Periodically rotate the tray and shift the tray from the window
on cold and bitter nights
.
3. Adequate ventilation is needed all year round because orchids
do not endure heat and muggy conditions well. Orchids should be
in 70 degrees F in the summer and 60 degrees F in the winter months
.
4. Water orchids when the growing mix feels dry. Wet the plant thoroughly
with lukewarm water. Allow for water to seep into the soil, then
water again, covering all of the soil. Orchids should be kept a
little damp - not constantly wet or completely dry.
5. Orchids prosper in humid climates. Placing the plants in a tray
of small damp pebbles, enhances humidity. The pot should not be
sitting directly in the water, but on top of the pebbles, evaporating
the water from the pebbles and moistening the surrounding air. Another
way to create a humid atmosphere is to mist the plants on a frequent
basis.
6. Fertilizer is key for the plant to thrive. Use fertilizer as
recommended once a month at half strength, every two weeks, providing
a more consistent growth cycle.
7. Do not be alarmed if your orchid loses it leaves during late
fall or early winter. This is called a resting period. During this
stage, it will need very little watering, only when it is really
dry. On the flip side, in the summer months, the orchid enjoys taking
a small jaunt outside, to soak up a few rays.
8. Watch for brown spots, which are a result of being scorched by
the sun. If the plant is misted under cool conditions, mildew may
develop on the leaves if the water does not evaporate fast enough.
As with any plant, look out for mites and other pests. A way to
remove the mites is to take a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and
rub it directly on the mites, forcing them off of the leaves.
If you care for your orchid in a proper manner and maintain it,
the orchid will enhance the beauty of your home and secrete an enticing
aroma.
