Basic Care for Healthy Orchids
Enjoy your blooming beauties for a long time with these tips
While there are two major types of orchids: terrestrials (that grow on the ground) and the more popular type, epiphytes (the ones that establish themselves on trees), most orchids grown today are hybrid species, created by crossing two related species, or three to four different genera.
In Singapore, the most commonly gifted orchids are Phalaenopsis orchids (also called moth orchids), Cymbidium orchids, and Dendrobium orchids. Because of their fragile appearance, caring for orchids may seem daunting, but with a little time and the TLC points below, you can enjoy these beauties sans the worries.
Phalaenopsis orchids
Cymbidium orchids
Dendrobium orchids
1. Pay attention to the colours of the leaves
Leaves determine whether the plant is getting enough or too much sunlight. Reddish or purple edges are an indication that it is just a few steps away from burning. Too much sun can bleach out the chlorophyll, causing the leaves to turn yellow. Not enough light turns leaves dark. As a rule though, orchids do not like direct sunlight.
Leaves determine whether the plant is getting enough or too much sunlight. Reddish or purple edges are an indication that it is just a few steps away from burning. Too much sun can bleach out the chlorophyll, causing the leaves to turn yellow. Not enough light turns leaves dark. As a rule though, orchids do not like direct sunlight.
2. Orchids prefer a humid environment but with good air circulation
Take note that stagnant air causes fungal problems.
Take note that stagnant air causes fungal problems.
3. Water when only needed
Most orchids prefer to be on the dryer side. Here’s a tip: when you lift the pot and it feels light, give the plant some water. Once in a while, give your orchids a good watering in the sink, letting the water flow through for a minute. Use room temperature water.
Most orchids prefer to be on the dryer side. Here’s a tip: when you lift the pot and it feels light, give the plant some water. Once in a while, give your orchids a good watering in the sink, letting the water flow through for a minute. Use room temperature water.
4. Fertilise once a week with a diluted solution of fertiliser
Generally, it is a teaspoon of fertiliser to about 4 litres of water. For beginners, consult a horticulturist or an experienced orchid enthusiast to help you select the right fertiliser to use.
Generally, it is a teaspoon of fertiliser to about 4 litres of water. For beginners, consult a horticulturist or an experienced orchid enthusiast to help you select the right fertiliser to use.
5. Have the right container
Epiphytes can be grown on driftwood or in pots with coarse, loose media like charcoal and peat moss, pot shards or broken bricks. Make sure that the pot drains well by either hanging it or having a gravel-filled saucer under it (make sure to also drain the saucer to avoid breeding mosquitoes). If your orchid is more than two years old, it may need to be repotted. Carefully remove the plant from the pot, shake out the old medium, cut off the dead roots, and repot it with new medium around and under the roots. Water generously after.
Epiphytes can be grown on driftwood or in pots with coarse, loose media like charcoal and peat moss, pot shards or broken bricks. Make sure that the pot drains well by either hanging it or having a gravel-filled saucer under it (make sure to also drain the saucer to avoid breeding mosquitoes). If your orchid is more than two years old, it may need to be repotted. Carefully remove the plant from the pot, shake out the old medium, cut off the dead roots, and repot it with new medium around and under the roots. Water generously after.
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What other house plants would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section.
What other house plants would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section.
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