How To Grow Orchids

Orchids love good strong light, during the day. However they should be protected against strong late afternoon direct light. They love hight humidity and good airflow around their roots.

As far as watering goes, they like a mix of drawt and then heavy watering and they enjoy temperatures between 50 and mid 80f.

Eventhough orchids have a reputation for being difficult plants to grow and look after, if we pay attention to these couple of simple rules, they can be kept quite easily.

We may need a few specialist items to keep our orchids happy, like special potting mix and fertiliser. Once you have these, hopefully all should be well.

Orchid Potting and Potting Mix

Bark chips or sphagnum moss are usually used as a potting medium for orchids. Bark chips do not retain water for very long and therefore are the varieties of orchid that like to dry out. Moss is quite the opposite and soaks up and retains water well. When using moss you have to be more careful to not over water and can spread the watering out over longer periods. Orchids enjoy shallow planting and also like humidity. Most modern houses have quite a dry atmosphere, so your orchids will appreciate a little more humidity. This can be achieved by several methods, either placing a bowl / saucer of water near the plant, or mist the orchid every day.

How to fertilize your orchids, whilst they are growing new growth fertilize them weekly or every other week. When they mature reduce this to monthly or once every other month.

Where To House Your Orchid

Most orchids will need to be kept in your house. Try and find a nice well lit window, an east or west facing window will be the best. A little shade from the mid day sun will also help.

Orchid Types