Simple Orchid Growing Tips
Here are 8 simple ideas that can help you to easily grow orchids in your home.
Tip 1: Use Plant Clips
You have probably seen many of these clips at stores or being offered for sale online. These are very similar to small hairclips and are used to help you keep the orchid flower spikes in an upright position. Using these tiny plastic holders will not damage the delicate structure of the spikes, and it will let you arrange an artful display of the blooms. These are usually made in the shape of a butterfly and they add a touch of whimsy to your potted plants.
Here’s an additional tip just for you: You can even color code the clips so that it makes it easy for you to keep track of which colors of orchids you have even when they are not in bloom.
Tip 2: Adjust the Room Temperature
Many people think that growing orchids is very difficult, but you just have to be aware of some of the peculiarities of these plants. In order to get more blooms, you have to change the temperature of the environment. If you are growing your orchids indoors you must make sure that the change in the room temperature at night varies by 15-20 degrees F from the daytime temperature. Many species will not show one bloom unless the daytime thermostat reads 75-85F and the nighttime reading is set from 60-70F.
Tip 3: Use skewers as stakes
There is no denying the convenience and usefulness of stakes when you have orchids in your home. Of course, you can buy commercially manufactured stakes to place in the pot to support the flowering stalks, but there is no need to shell out extra money for such a simple product.
Get some of the disposable wooden skewers that are designed to hold kabobs on the grill. These are made of lightweight bamboo, and they are sturdy enough to support your plants without damaging the roots or flower spikes. If you need a taller stake, or if you prefer a more natural, rustic look why not use some of the small diameter branches that you can gather free. Just dry the branch and then trim it the height that is needed.
Tip 4: Root Runners
The roots of an orchid can sprawl in many directions. Sometimes well meaning orchid lovers attempt to tame these roots by forcing them back into the containers. This should never be done. If the roots of your orchids are really annoying your sense of aesthetics, you can get your plant a new and bigger pot.
Tip 5: Hang those Orchids in the Air
If you have any Dendrobiums you may already be aware of how tall and top heavy they can become. These plants are perfectly at home when placed in a wooden orchid basket. The hanging basket will support their weight and tall height and this type of display adds charm and character to the room.
Tip 6: Sick Plants Need Space
Always remember to separate those sickly or diseased plants from the healthy specimens. Allowing an orchid that has problems to remain part of the group is a recipe for disaster. Whatever plant disease is affecting it can quickly spread to the others. Isolation and adequate space for your sick plants will help you keep any problems under control.
Tip 7: Color Coding for Special Needs
If you have some orchids with particular maintenance, or feeding, requirements you can mark the pot with a colored sticker, or a small piece of colorful electrical tape. This is an unobtrusive way of reminding you to give special care to some of the more finicky orchid specimens. You might want to use one color for all plants that require special fertilizer and another color for those on which you notice scale.
You can also color code your bottles of spray, fungicides, water, etc. If you cannot find different colored spray bottles, just use colorful tape to designate what each bottle contains. This will keep you from mistakenly spraying your plant with ineffective water when you really needed to use an insecticide.
Tip 8: Go Green with the Insecticide
One of the safest sprays for insects can be made at home. Combine 1 teaspoon of a gentle, biodegradable dishwashing liquid and 1 gallon of water. The soap should always be added to the water because this sequence of steps will prevent the formation of excess bubbles. This is a formula that is dilute enough to be used with delicate orchids. Spraying this mixture on tiny insects will eliminate the problem quickly without harming the plants.
