Will bloom for a very long time: how to care for the orchid

An orchid is a rather whimsical flower. However, experienced florists note that caring for the plant is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Most varieties are perfectly adapted to the conditions in ordinary apartments - it is enough to adjust the watering regime and the level of lighting.

OBOZ.UA tells you how to care for an orchid. It is worth taking a responsible approach to choosing a place, as orchids do not tolerate frequent changes in their location and take a long time to adapt to new conditions.

Influence of light, temperature, humidity level

Orchids are best suited to cool rooms, especially during the period when plants are preparing for flowering. At night, the optimum temperature is 15-18 °C, or even 12-15 °C, and during the day, the thermometer should show 4-5 degrees higher to maintain contrast.

The orchid is a light-loving plant. It feels best with 10-15 hours of daylight. However, it is worth noting that direct sunlight can be dangerous for the plant, as it often leads to leaf burns.

Orchids have no special needs in terms of air humidity. Plants will feel comfortable at 30-40% humidity, and the same level is the norm for humans.

Where to put an orchid pot

If you decide to place an orchid on a windowsill, you should choose the shaded sides of the house: west, east, or northeast. Make sure that the windowsill is free of drafts.

How to water an orchid

An orchid is a tropical plant, but irrigation should be done carefully. Florists say that you should water the flower once a week.

There are two methods of watering:

• when immersed in water, you should put the orchid in a container so that the substrate is completely soaked; do not leave the plant in this state for more than 20-30 minutes;
• the shower method is to put the orchid under the tap or shower and soak the substrate well. The water should not be cold. Then you should place the plant on a tray so that excess liquid can drain off.

How to fertilize orchids

There are two types of fertilizers for orchids: those that are applied at the root and those that are applied to the leaves in the form of a spray.

Fertilizing should be done during the period of active flowering or the development of a new shoot, as this is when the plant spends a lot of energy. During the dormant period, fertilization is not necessary.

Do not use fertilizers for orchids that are intended for other plants - they will only harm the flowers.

Pests such as scale insects, aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, etc. can settle on orchids. If you notice suspicious drops or spots on an orchid, the first step is to isolate it from other indoor plants.

The affected leaves should be removed and the plant should be treated with special means. In case of root damage, the orchid should be removed from the pot. Then clean the roots from the substrate, carefully remove the rotten roots with a sharp disinfected knife and thoroughly treat the plant with a pest control agent.

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