Indoor Orchid Care

Helpful Insight Regarding Indoor Orchid Care

The provided information pertaining to indoor orchid care will make it easier to grow a healthy plant. Orchids come in thousand of species, some easier to grow than others. For instance, Phalaenopsis or the Moth Orchid is exceptionally easy to grow, producing gorgeous blooms that last a long time and appear twice a year. The spikes produce multiple flowers that range in color from white to lavender.

For indoor orchid care, most species like bright, filtered sunlight. Therefore, placing the orchid in a window that faces east is best although you could also choose windows facing west or south but in this case, the plant would need to be several feet back so the leaves do not scorch. Other tips for indoor orchid care that would make your growing experience fun and successful include:

Orchid Books – Prior to purchasing an orchid, buy several books written about this plant so you can gain a much more in-depth understanding of indoor orchid care. Obviously, the more you know the better chance you have of growing a healthy, beautiful plant.

Choosing the Orchid – Choose the type of orchid carefully since the type and level of indoor orchid care would depend largely on the species chosen. Of the 35,000 available species, you want the orchid that would grow best in your geographical location. Again, the Phalaenopsis also called the Moth Orchid or White Orchid is considered one of the best.

Plant Inspection – Inspecting your plant is an ongoing part of indoor orchid care. A healthy orchid would have dark green, smooth, and firm leaves. If the leaves were to turn yellow, it means the plant is being watered too much and if they are white, yellowish green or even red, then the orchid is getting too much sun.

Orchid Blooms – You can also tell the effectiveness of the indoor orchid care being provided by paying attention to the blooms. For instance, if the plant produces many flowers, it would be healthy.

Proper Ventilation – Proper indoor orchid care also involves proper ventilation. During late spring and early summer, set the plant near an open window and during other times of the year, a fan (not blowing directly on the plant) would be highly beneficial in preventing fungal and bacterial infections.

Humidity Levels – Another aspect of indoor orchid care has to do with humidity levels. You could buy a room humidifier to maintain proper levels or simply spray water onto the plant in the summertime. Additionally, to maintain the proper level of water in the container, use a tray that includes gravel or pebbles. Water evaporation increases moisture around the leaves as much as 50%, which encourages longer blooms.

Temperature Requirements - Indoor orchid care also means providing the plant with the proper temperature ranging from 75 to 85 during the day and 60 to 85 at night. With this, the blooms would last longer and the orchid would bloom more often. If temperatures were too hot, the orchid would not bloom as well.

Watering your Orchid – Watering is also an important part of indoor orchid care. Make sure the container in which the orchid is planted has a drain hole and then to water, hold the container over the sink, allowing water to run through so the soil is completely soaked but drained. This should be done in the morning, once a weed and in the winter, twice a week.

Orchid Feeding – Orchids also need proper fertilizer, which would be formulated for the specific type of orchid you grow. Be sure to choose fertilizer that has nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, in addition to trace elements.

Food Requirements – Finally, for proper indoor orchid care, it is also important that your plant be provided with water soluble food once or twice each month, again choosing according to the species of orchid you have.