Growing Orchids At Home

Successfully growing orchids at home

Looking at a beautiful orchid, it can be intimidating to imagine growing orchids at home. These beautiful, tropical flowers may have specific requirements that they need to thrive, but it can be easy to begin growing orchids at home with some basic information and commitment to detail from the gardener.  If you enjoy raising plants and love the beautiful, colorful orchid flowers, you should take the opportunity to lean about them.  Orchids make a wonderful addition to any home or garden.

Containers And Soil For growing orchids at home

All plants require a careful selection of the pot and soil they will be planted in, and orchids are no exception to the rule.  Wild orchids have very specific environments that they thrive in and containers should mimic these natural conditions.  If you choose clay or hanging pots for your orchids, they will require more frequent watering.  Plastic pots need to be watched carefully because it is easy to give an orchid too much water.  If you live in a dry environment, consider placing the pot on top of a container of water soaked pebbles.  These stones will provide extra humidity for the orchids.

The soil for growing orchids at home should be firm enough to support the stem, but still light enough that the delicate roots can take hold.  It can also be helpful for bark and pebbles to be added so that the soil drains well.  Each species of orchid has specific requirements, so research the type of flower you are purchasing.  growing orchids at home requires that the gardener repot the plants approximately every two years.

Light And Temperature For growing orchids at home

Gardeners should keep in mind that most species will require plenty of light, but not too much direct sun, when growing orchids at home.  Orchids tend to do well in a window that has some shielding from the direct sunlight, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.  Even dark environments can be appropriate with the proper fluorescent lights.  Leaving them on for approximately twelve hours a day will give the orchids proper lighting.

Most orchids do well at a temperature of between 60 and 70 degrees, however research the particular species that you have purchased to find out if it should be slighting cooler or hotter.  Never allow your flowers to reach freezing temperatures whether growing orchids at home or outdoors.  When the temperature drops outdoors, you may want to move your plants away from the windows and towards warmer parts of the home.

Watering growing orchids at home

As orchids are a tropical plant, they need enough water and humidity.  However, do not allow your orchids to soak for too long as the roots can rot or fungus can grow which will kill the orchids.  When the soil is dry to the touch, it is time to water the orchids again.  As long as there is proper drainage, the plants may be watered generously.