Who wouldn’t want hundreds of orchids, beautiful and elegant flowering plants, in their living room? But more importantly, who could keep them alive for a long time?
Because that’s the hardest part : continuing to flower as long as possible and producing new buds.
Orchids are the most popular and favorite flowering plants. They come in vibrant, exotic colors and add class and personality to any environment.
It is a perennial tropical plant that is meant to bloom and rebloom, but requires proper care.
Many people appreciate this and despair when the leaves begin to lose their shine and the plant begins to wilt. But don’t lose hope: orchids blooming is possible, you just need to know how! In the following pages, you can see how to care for an orchid with 10 simple and effective tips (even for those who unfortunately don’t have green fingers!):
1) Water and fertilizer in the right doses
The right tip. To make orchids bloom again, you need to give them liquid fertilizer every 15 days. It should be rich in phosphorus and potassium. Also, during flowering, it is necessary to stop using fertilizers and reduce watering the orchids.
2) Watering the orchids
Speaking of water, experts recommend a technique where the container is submerged in a water bath. Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pot and let the plant soak in warm water for about half an hour. Then empty it and replace it. Repeat this procedure every 10 days.
3) Place the orchids in the light
Autumn sunlight is essential for orchids to bloom again. The rays during this period are not hot enough to burn the plant’s leaves, but they provide all the light they need. Therefore, place your plants in full sun , even outside your home.
4) Create a thermal shock and avoid heat sources
Contrary to popular belief, a sudden change in temperature won’t kill your orchid. It will make it bloom again, encouraging new stems. Starting in early autumn, when the daytime temperature reaches 15 degrees, take your orchids out onto the balcony for the day. Then, bring them back inside in the evening. Repeat this process for about two weeks.
5) Pay attention to the room temperature
Remember to also place orchids near heat sources. The plant should be away from radiators or fireplaces. Finally, if the temperature at home exceeds 20 degrees, it is recommended to keep the orchids in a cooler environment, such as on stairways or on shelves near windows.
6) Pruning time: how to do it correctly
Sometimes our beloved plant doesn’t bloom. What to do Pruning done in a certain way can help the orchid produce new buds more easily and quickly. It is enough to shorten the stem by cutting it with simple scissors or clippers at least 1 centimeter above the highest “node” (i.e., from the squat points along the stem).
7) Clean the leaves
It may seem trivial, but orchids are delicate plants and therefore need to be treated with care. Be sure to clean the leaves with a cloth containing plain distilled water and a few drops of vinegar or lemon. Some even recommend using cotton balls soaked in milk and water.
8) Choose a pot
Choosing the right pot will help keep your orchids blooming. Try to get a sturdy, transparent pot to ensure the plant has full access to light. It’s also best if it has a double wall to keep the temperature more stable and avoid sudden changes in temperature.
9) The importance of humidity
Most orchids grown indoors are of tropical origin, so they have adapted to the hot and humid climate of the tropics. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that our orchids are exposed to high ambient humidity: it is therefore recommended to frequently spray the orchid leaves with demineralized water. During the summer heat, there is often little humidity in the apartment; we can solve this problem by placing a humidifier near the orchids.
10) Pay attention to the color of the leaves
Orchid leaves should be checked frequently: if they turn yellow or are covered with spots, the plant is overexposed to sunlight. If, on the other hand, they become too dark green, the orchid’s light should be increased, as it is insufficient.