Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Orchids How To Keep Them Healthy



My mum has latterly taken up orchid care and, being the curious kind of person that I am I was interested to discover what makes them 'special'. What makes them a plant apart from the ordinary houseplants grown at home and why do they seem to be a challenge to the green-fingered? My mum has traditionally been able to look after plants, both inside and out, so it was no surprise when, having been given her first orchid as a present, she got 'hooked' on the simplest way to take care of them. After speaking with ma and a little bit of my very own research these are some tips for orchid care : Orchids ways to one : Consider it's typical conditions When you purchase an orchid, ensure you can recreate the conditions the plant needs in its natural environment.

There are all kinds of variations, some stronger than others so glance at the label to test. Careful Watering Watering them about each four - seven days looks to be enough, but it does rely on the season. To test if the plant wishes water, push a wooden stick or pencil into the medium, if it comes out darker, there's enough there. Orchids can need different amounts of water at different times of the year, so keep checking! Feeding Most orchids benefit from an expert orchid manure that's fed as a feeble solution and applied once every week. To try this, use only half of the amount discussed on the packet.

The kind of manure will depend upon what your orchid is growing in, so it is smart to test that first. Eventually, sadly, the orchid is likely to need repotting. Take away the old mix from the pot, being cautious not to hurt the roots. Wash the roots and trim off any hollow or mushy ones, as they're considered dead. Place the plant into a new pot, orchids reputedly like being root-bound, so there should really only be about 1' between the roots and the fringe of the pot. Add the new medium to the pot, drumming the sides to be certain it settles correctly. Press delicately to settle the plant but do not use too much force or the roots may break. Employ a stick to support the plant in the pot so it is secure. If your plant is growing in sphagnum moss, ensure it is damp before wrapping it round the roots and repotting, that way you do not have to fret about pockets of air. After repotting the plant shouldn't be watered for three - five days to permit it to recover. After it flowers. Check whether your orchid flowers only once from the flower spike or will flower frequently from the same spike. Once the plant has finished ripening the spike must be removed at the base with a sharpened instrument to reduce damage to the plant itself. Isolate any plant which has a difficulty, look at it, find the cure and start treating as fast as possible.

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