To be honest I have always been a little weary of Orchids. They have always seemed so delicate and exotic, I was sure that they were the kind of plant that I would inevitably kill..... and then feel very guilty about for a while.....but it turns out I was wrong.
I have never brought myself an orchid, just admired them from a distance. However a couple of weeks ago I was contacted by
Orchidsinfo.eu and asked if i would like to be sent a few orchids to take pictures of for Moon to Moon.... Well of course was my answer... the perfect chance to give Orchid mothering a go...
So I was sent a number of Orchids a couple of weeks ago and after reading about basic Orchid care online they are still alive, and with flowers!!
So here is what I have learnt....
Orchid Basics...
As far as I can see the most important step in orchid care is choosing the right Orchid for your home.
Phalenopsis
The two I have photographed above are called Phalaenopsis, often referred to as
moth orchids, these
are elegant orchids for indoor use. Their long sprays of colorful
flowers stay fresh for months. Flowering begins in winter or early
spring. This orchid generally needs less light than other types of Orchid
and does well in most indoor conditions.
Watering:
- Keep these almost dry between watering,
- You can submerge the roots in water but don't leave them there, make sure any excess has drained before putting back in the plant pot
- Try not to get the leaves wet , dry with a cloth if you do
Feeding
You can buy commercially made Orchid food which is what I did, I am sure there are some great non-chemical orchid foods out there but at this stage in my self-doubting orchid mama role I just did the easy thing
Maintaining the Blooms
Peak blooming time starts from late winter, primarily February and March
in the northern hemisphere. Blooms normally last from four to twelve
weeks.
- When the blooms fade, cut off the spike 1/2 inch (12mm) above
where it projects from the foliage.
- Trim off any dead leaves and
tissue, including old flower stems, old leaves, anything rotting, dead
roots, etc.
Pruning and care
Don't prune an orchid like a shrub. If you cut part
of an orchid leaf, the rest of the leaf may die, and cutting into a live
pseudobulb will severely damage your orchid.
Other tips....
The ice Cube trick..... This is one I am going to try...
Apparently you can just add three ice cubes once a week and that will be enough to ensure your Orchid has enough water....
Give Away
If you live on the mainland of the UK and would like to try an Orchid then please comment below and I will choose one commenter on Friday and send them an Orchid
Also if you have any trips or tricks to share please comment below also, I wouldlove to know how you care for your orchids...
