Orchids are some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. Everyone knows them just by sight. But the more beautiful the flower, the more you need care instructions, and orchids are no exception. To properly grow an orchid you need care tips.
One of the biggest things that affect an orchid’s growth is the amount of light it gets while growing. You have to find a very delicate balance when you grow orchids. Instructions for orchid care will tell you that direct sunlight causes orchids to burn and die, and too little light will prevent flowers from growing. Most orchids generally need low-light environments to thrive, so place them inside behind curtains or in a protected area outside.
If you happen to have an orchid that is classified as moderate-to-high-light or warm-growing, then these types will need a lot more light and, importantly, warm household temperatures. Orchid care instructions will tell you to place them outside where they can get plenty of light, although you should watch for burning in the months between May to September. These orchids also like to dry between watering, so be careful with that as well.
If you’re going to give an orchid good care, instructions will also be needed about temperature. Orchids do have an ideal temperature; in fact, if they’re not at their ideal temperature, they may grow well but refuse to flower or bloom. At night, the orchids should be kept around 60-62 degrees F and daytime temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees are ideal. (Temperatures as low as 55 F or as high as 90 F won’t harm an orchid as long as the time of exposure to those temperatures is short.)
Just like orchids need a certain amount of light and a certain temperature to thrive, orchid care instructions will tell you that they also need to be kept at a certain humidity to truly thrive. That humidity should be between 50% and 70%. If you’re unsure how to increase humidity, try placing the plants in a shallow dish containing pebbles and water, with the water just below the tops of the pebbles. The water should never touch the pot though!
Watering is important as well. Always try to water your orchids early in the day so that by nighttime they’ve dried out. Frequency will most likely depend on where you live, but the general rules are: water once a week in the winter and then twice a week when the weather gets warm and dry again.
Orchids require a great deal of work but they’re so beautiful they’re worth it – all you need to grow them are proper orchid care instructions!
