Orchids are one of the ornamental plants favored by many people because of their beautiful flowers and attractive colors. However, orchids are often known as difficult plants to care for. In fact, if you know what you have to do, caring for an orchid is not as difficult as you might think.
Well, if you are interested in caring for your own orchids at home but don't know how, here are some care tips that you can follow to ensure that your orchids thrive and are beautiful.
1. Do not get too much water.
The most common cause of orchid flowers wilting is usually due to excessive watering. Instead of watering your orchid constantly, you should pay attention to how much water it needs. The best way to tell if your orchid needs water is to look at the moss growing on the roots. If the moss is damp, it means the orchid has enough fluid. But if the moss starts to dry out, then your orchid needs watering. Also, another way to determine how much water it needs is to stick your finger into the base of the root, and make sure the area feels moist.
2. Choose the right planting medium.
There are many growing media you can use to grow orchids, but the most popular choices are sphagnum moss and bark. The advantage of using spaghnum moss is that this medium can act like a sponge, which can absorb water and keep the orchid roots moist for longer. While bark doesn't hold water as well as moss, it can be an ideal choice for some orchids that don't do well in moist media, such as moon orchids and cattleya orchids.
3. Give liquid fertilizer regularly.
The American Orchid Society recommends fertilizing your orchids regularly using a fertilizer with little or no urea in it. Another recommendation is to water it using a liquid fertilizer made from a mixture of fertilizer and water. To make liquid fertilizer, take of the fertilizer recommended by the label and mix it into the amount of water you normally use for watering orchids. Water your orchids with this liquid fertilizer weekly, but make sure not to over-moisten them.
4. Put it in a cool place.
Some types of orchids can live in places that have dim light, but in general these ornamental plants still need sunlight so that their flowers can bloom beautifully. However, orchids should not be placed in direct sunlight because too much light can cause the roots to dry out faster. The best place to put your orchids is in a bright but cool place, such as under a window covered with a light curtain.
5. Keep the surrounding temperature.
Most orchids are tropical plants, but that doesn't mean they have to live in an environment similar to that of a tropical rain forest. However, the dry atmosphere of an air-conditioned home can be a challenge for your orchid. The most ideal place to grow orchids is in a cool temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold, which is around 23° C. Therefore, if your home feels too dry, you can spray a little water using a spray bottle regularly or put the pot in on damp pebbles.
Caring for orchids may require more special attention than your other houseplants. However, if you can take care of it properly and correctly, your orchids will bloom beautifully, and their beauty will certainly feel worth the effort you have to give.
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