Orchids love a position that is well ventilated

Air moving freely will do wonders for your orchids and they rapidly flower. It prevents decay and growth of fungi and pests. You can supply extra oxygen to the plant by:

  • Opening or tilting the window

  • Installing a sliding ventilation tip hatch

  • Installing a ventilation on the window

  • Using electrical ventilation

  • Placing the plant outside in the summer

WARNING: Do not stand a fruit bowl (especially with apples) close to the orchids they react negatively to the ethylene gas apples produce.

Watering orchids

Orchids require water to grow but not in access. Orchids do not like to be waterlogged and the compost must be able to dry up quickly. The irrigation water must be at room temperature, a bit acid and not hard 9 it must be in the 0 10 degree clark). Avoid lime as orchids dislike it. Rainwater is best for orchids.

If the water is too hard you can soften it by adding a few drops of lemon juice, using softening agents, lon exchange fertilizers or by boiling the water.

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When should you water your orchids?

This depends on various factors. It will depend on

1. The medium in which the plant is growing does it absorb more or less water. If it does then more water is required.

2. The plant container plastic pots result in more water being available for the orchids because they are not porous and thus keep more water compared to clay ones which are porous.

3. If humidity levels are lower than 50% then water regularly.

4. If the temperature is warm then there is more evaporation add more water

5. Windy conditions cause quick drying up of compost. In this instance irrigate often.

6. a orchid in the growth phase will require plenty of water compared to one that is in the rest phase.

Using a simple 'finger test you can determine whether the compost is dry. Dip your middle finger in the earth, if it is dry then add water promptly.

Water you orchid from the top to allow the whole plant to receive water. If the orchid is tied to a hanging basket, dip the whole basket in water until it's moist.

Do not water carelessly as the plant will cease to grow, get limb leaves, suffer root decay and leaves become brown.

Fertilizer

Like all plant orchids require nutrients although they do not consume as much as climbing plants and other vegetables. Orchid hybrids grow rapidly and thus need more nutrients than those available in the compost alone. Water soluble, mineral fertilizers are ideal for orchids as nutrients are readily available. Orchid fertilizers are available from orchid nurseries or trough nail order companies handling orchids.

Refrain form using vegetable fertilizer. If you use flower fertilizer make sure you dilute it at least 10 times or else the orchid will be scotched.

When and how to use fertilizer

This depends on the age, size and growth of the orchid. Add fertilizer after every four days from spring to late summer. From late winter fertilize once a week right to mid spring. Avoid fertilizing during late winter. Do not fertilize the plant during its rest period.

Apply fertilizer when the compost is wet and do not fertilize freshly repotted plants