Growing Orchids Indoors
The Art Of Growing Orchids Indoors
Successfully growing orchids indoors can be considered an art or a science, but is in reality a bit of both. Some species of orchids are easy keepers, but many, probably most species, can present a real challenge. When growing a certain species of orchid indoors, it's probably safe to say that knowledge about that particular species is power.
At the risk of oversimplifying the art of growing orchids indoors, it boils down to considerations regarding water, soil, temperature, humidity, light, and air circulation. Add feeding, pest and disease control, and re potting, and those are the only things you'll need to be concerned about. As complex as this may begin to sound, there are usually only two or three things in each category you really need to be aware of. The real problem lies in physically meeting the requirements of the species in question. Most, though not all orchid species like a humid environment. Maintaining that environment in the home may be easy, or it may be extremely difficult. Most orchids like bright light, though this can also vary with species. The task in this case is to place the orchids in a location where they will get the light needed, or provide light by a strategic placement of plant lamps.
Light And Air – Know The Species - The first step is to find out about the specific needs of the species you intend to grow indoors and make sure that before ever purchasing the plant, that the environment it requires is something you can provide without undue expense or trouble on your part. The rules are not always as hard and fast it would appear. If the lighting isn't quite right, you won't necessarily kill the plant. Some species won't mind, others will not do as well as they otherwise might. Orchids like some air circulation. Air circulation is difficult to specify, but in most cases if there is occasional air movement, such as from opening a window during a hot day, that may be all the plant needs. One doesn't have to design a complex array of miniature fans to create idea air movement.
Water – Know The Species - Watering an orchid too much or too little can kill the plant. You need to find out what is just right and stick to that. Some orchids can be allowed to have the soil dry out almost completely between watering while some species need moist soil almost constantly. Some require very little soil at all and get their water through misting. Again, know the species so you'll know what to do to care for it.
Reading a book on how to grow orchids indoors, while valuable, in fact probably necessary, can make the process seem quite daunting indeed. This is because some authors attempt to take on all different species, and conveniently deal with them under a single set of complicated rules. One would almost think, that to grow the plants successfully, it's necessary to have a chair or cot next to the plants so you can stay close by to adjust light, temperature, water, air movement, and so forth. You are going to have to determine how best to care for the plants if you're going on vacation, but you still should be able to take a day or two off now and them without coming home to dead flowers and wilted leaves. If you come across a complicated process, try to break it down, and summarize what's really being said, usually it's something basic and straightforward bundled up in too much detail.
Summary - If you don't know what you're doing, don't do too much of it. A good approach to growing orchids indoors is to start with varieties that are not overly temperamental, and also begin with orchids which are relatively inexpensive. Stay away from the rare and expensive species until you've gained some experience and are at least beginning to know what you're doing. After all, the challenges of successfully growing orchids indoors are part of the joy of doing so, and success is sometimes built upon a number of small disasters. If you really want these plants in your house, go for it. The rewards should far exceed any effort required.