How to care for orchids: our tips to make them last
We have collected the best tips from gardening experts on orchid care. This tropical original plant, in fact, is not difficult to cultivate but requires few and fundamental attention. Let's find out what is the right way to water them, how to choose the pot and the position where to place them, which fertilizer to administer and what to do after they have bloomed. Do you want to know the meaning of the language of flowers? Don't miss the video!
How to choose an orchid plant
The orchid, whose scientific name is phalaenopsis, is a tropical plant native to Asia, where it grows in a hot and humid climate attached to the bark of trees: its roots, in fact, are aerial, that is, they do not sink into the ground. It produces beautiful white or colored flowers (pink, red, purple, lilac and yellow) depending on the species and their particularity is to remain splendid for a long time. The flowering of the orchid, in fact, can last up to three months, as long as it is placed in a place that satisfies its needs in terms of lighting and irrigation.
Although orchids are plants native to tropical countries, they have also spread to us, where gardeners have managed to make them adapt to the cold European climate. When we go to the greenhouse to choose our specimen, there are some characteristics to evaluate in order not to risk finding ourselves with a sick plant. Here are what they are:
- The roots should be a nice bright green, solid and not too brittle
- The roots must not point upwards
- The leaves must not hang down
Orchids can also be successfully grown indoors, as long as you follow a few guidelines.
The orchids that are best suited to being grown in apartments are the typical species of tropical countries because they easily adapt to the climate of our homes. On the market we generally find three species of orchid, phalaenopsis, dendrobium and cymbidium. While the former two like humid heat, cymbidium can also be grown in an outdoor garden, as long as the temperature doesn't get too cold. Generally the most purchased type to be kept in an apartment is the phalaenopsis because it requires less attention and is quite resistant.
See also: The green summer. Vases and planters for your outdoor area
Tips for making orchids last a long time
To make orchids last for a long time and, above all, to make them bloom again, you need to follow these tips. First of all, it is necessary to avoid strong thermal excursions and sudden changes in temperature, moreover, it is preferable not to place them in a room facing north because there would be too little light during the day. In general, keep these guidelines in mind:
- The orchid loves the light but cannot bear direct sunlight.
- Plants should never be placed near heat sources such as radiators as these could dry out their roots.
- They should be watered little but often because they hate stagnant water.
- To understand when to water them, just look at the color of the roots: if they are no longer green, it's time to give them a drink!
- The orchid likes to have moist leaves, so you can sprinkle the leaves with water.
- It is a plant that loves humid environments, just like the bathroom and the kitchen.
- Beware of parasites, it is better to check the leaves often to avoid their presence.
- If its leaves are yellow, it means that the plant is receiving too much sun, while if they are folded back it means that there is too little light.
- Better to use a transparent pot so as to always keep an eye on the state of the roots.
- If the orchid has spots, it means that the ambient temperature is too low.
Which vase to choose for the orchid
Transparent pots are very useful because they allow you to keep the root system of the plant under control even if they are not actually used for the photosynthesis process. However, it is better to choose a pot or a container that is small enough because this plant loves to be harvested. already said, the orchid is a specimen with aerial roots, therefore it does not need to be planted in the soil; however it is advisable to choose tree bark substrate (called bark) to which to add specific moss for tropical plants capable of retaining humidity. On the market there are also practical vases with holes that allow the water to flow out (without causing dangerous water stagnation) and the air to circulate.
How to make the orchid bloom
According to experts, if the cultivation of the orchid has been carried out in a workmanlike manner, it should bloom twice a year (in spring and autumn), giving us beautiful colored flowers that cheer up our home. Once in bloom, we can decide whether to cut the stems to induce the plant to produce new flowers, or whether to leave them. In this case the new flowers will be born in that same spot but they will be smaller. And if despite all our efforts the orchid does not bloom? The fault could be a lack of light or temperature changes. In this case you can try to place the plant outside the house for once (maximum two) by placing it on the balcony, in order to "wake it up" by causing a thermal shock. But be careful, the temperature between inside and outside must not be too different!
How to water the orchid
One of the main errors of orchid cultivation is excess water: in fact, it does not have a great need for water and, above all, the flower should never be wet because it could rot. If garden plants derive moisture from the surrounding atmosphere, those kept indoors need to be kept moist every day. Just a spray of water to use on the leaves to hydrate them. In general, however, it is not necessary to wet the orchid too much: immersing it in a basin of water about once or twice a month is more than enough.
To understand if it needs water, you should never look at the flower, but at the root: if it is no longer green, it is time to water!
Furthermore, the fertilizer is essential to make the plant bloom and there are different types on the market. It can be administered all year round but it is best to suspend it when the plant is in bloom.
