{"id":2316,"date":"2018-08-30T10:32:52","date_gmt":"2018-08-30T14:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greatbiggreenhouse.com\/?p=2316"},"modified":"2018-08-30T10:32:52","modified_gmt":"2018-08-30T14:32:52","slug":"how-to-care-for-your-beautiful-orchid-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meadowsfarms.com\/great-big-greenhouse-gardening-blog\/how-to-care-for-your-beautiful-orchid-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"TALKING GARDENING with DOUG – How to Care for Your Beautiful Orchid Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"
I KNOW, YOU ARE THINKING \u201cWHAT IS DOUG DOING BLOGGING ABOUT ORCHIDS\u201d?!<\/p>\n
First, I have to somewhat agree with your thinking.\u00a0 I am out of my comfort zone, just a little, with this article.\u00a0 I grew up with house plants.\u00a0 Both of my grandmothers loved plants.\u00a0 So, it comes naturally.\u00a0 I plan to do a blog each month highlighting houseplants.\u00a0 Houseplants have become more and more popular these past few years with homeowners, apartment dwellers, college dormitory, office complexes, and more.\u00a0 People are realizing what houseplants offer when it comes to the health and value to our personal lives.<\/p>\n
Personally, I find orchids beautiful, mesmerizing and intimidating all at the same time.\u00a0 But, orchid care is easy.\u00a0 No reason to be intimidated.\u00a0 Of all of the varieties of orchids \u2013 Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums, etc. \u2013 we carry them all.\u00a0 But, it seems that the Phalaenopsis commonly referred to as the \u201cMoth Orchid\u201d seems to be the most popular with its big, beautiful colorful blooms.<\/p>\n
Here are some basic orchid care tips that I am sharing from the American Orchid Society:<\/p>\n
Orchids need bright light, with a south or east-facing window working best for them. West windows can be too hot in the afternoon and north-facing ones are usually too dark.<\/p>\n
Like other indoor plants, orchids should be watered thoroughly, so that all roots receive sufficient moisture, before beginning to dry again.\u00a0 Avoid overwatering which leads to the demise of many more orchids than underwatering.\u00a0 Constant wetness will cause the roots to rot, which leaves the plant without a means for taking up nourishment which ten causes the leaves to droop and will eventually kill the plant.\u00a0 You may have heard about using ice cubes as a technique for watering.\u00a0 This is only a brilliant marketing concept.\u00a0 It sells orchids by making their care sound super easy.\u00a0 Think about this.\u00a0 Orchids naturally grow in the tropics so ice and cold water are very foreign to them.\u00a0 Bottom line:\u00a0 don\u2019t be persuaded to water orchids with ice cubes.\u00a0 Ice cubes are not a good measurement for watering.<\/p>\n
The Orchid Society recommends feeding orchids on a regular basis using a \u201cbalanced\u201d fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that has all the necessary trace elements.\u00a0 We use Jack\u2019s 20-20-20 on all our house plants and orchids.\u00a0 Jack\u2019s Orchid Special, which is 30-10-10, is also a good choice for food.\u00a0 Whichever fertilizer you choose the Orchid Society recommends using it at half strength and to feed every 30 days.<\/p>\n
Orchid plants need repotting for one or a combination of two main factors:\u00a0 Potting mix breaks down, often evidence by dead roots, or the plant outgrowing the container.\u00a0 When it comes to choosing the right potting medium, a fresh, fast-draining, but water-retentive medium is essential to the healthy root system necessary for good growth.\u00a0 Orchids seem to do best growing in an orchid bark mix rather than growing in moss.<\/p>\n
Following these simple care instructions and an orchid will stay in bloom for weeks if not for months.<\/p>\n
Are you convinced to give growing an orchid a try?\u00a0 How about this:\u00a0 we have a sale on our entire stock of orchids at 20% off from now until Wednesday, September 12.\u00a0 We receive new varieties weekly from Hawaii and Florida.\u00a0 So, come to see us.\u00a0 We are very proud of our selection of orchids.<\/p>\n
HAPPY GARDENING \u2013 I MEAN HAPPY HOUSE PLANTS!!!<\/p>\n
More blogs<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I KNOW, YOU ARE THINKING \u201cWHAT IS DOUG DOING BLOGGING ABOUT ORCHIDS\u201d?! First, I have to somewhat agree with your thinking.\u00a0 I am out of my comfort zone, just a little, with this article.\u00a0 I grew up with house plants.\u00a0 Both of my grandmothers loved plants.\u00a0 So, it comes naturally.\u00a0 I plan to do a … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n