Growing orchids: tips for beginners

Orchids have a reputation for being demanding and difficult to care for. However, with the right approach, they will bloom on the windowsill, like other and more unpretentious indoor plants. Following a few simple rules will allow you to enjoy the beauty of orchids not only in photographs, but also in your apartment.
Caring for delicate flowers like orchids first involves proper lighting. Make sure that the plant has enough light, otherwise it will not be able to feed and will quickly die. At the same time, too intense lighting literally burns the orchid. If the leaves have changed their color, that is, from bright green or reddish to dark, then it is worth increasing the amount of light. When yellowing of leaves lighting must be reduced so as not to kill the plant.

Another important condition is watering. Many types of orchids in their natural environment are never constantly in water, and their roots do not tolerate large amounts of moisture and its stagnation, as well as the action of salts dissolved in water. Please note that each species needs a special method of watering. Varieties such as Cymbidium, Odontoglossum, Paphiopedilum, and Phalaenopsis love moist soil. With the same species as Cattleya Dendrobium and Oncidium, on the contrary, you need to be careful when watering. Do not forget about regulating the temperature and humidity in the room itself. These factors can affect the behavior of the flower and the frequency of watering. Orchid flowers with wilted leaves require water. Darkened and soggy roots are a sign that you have overdone the moisture.

To properly water an orchid, you need to place it in a container with warm water for a short period (usually 10-15 minutes) and irrigate it so that the water wets all the soil and comes out through the drainage holes.

It is also important to choose the right pot. Its main task is to maintain the orchid in a position perpendicular to the surface on which it stands. A suitable container will allow air to reach the roots and retain only the required amount of moisture around them. For terrestrial orchids it is best to use plastic container after you have got a pot for your orchid, take care of the soil. For beginners, specially prepared soil mixtures, which can be found in flower shops, are suitable. Different types of orchids require soil specifically for them, so carefully read the information on the package or consult with the seller.

Most orchids like warmth, but try to keep them cool at night. This is especially true in winter, when central heating is on and the temperature practically does not change throughout the day.

In order for orchid flowers to bloom faster, they need to be fertilized regularly at least once every two weeks. Along with the soil, you can purchase a special fertilizer.

When your flower grows beyond the boundaries of the container, it must be replanted so that development and growth continue in comfortable conditions.