Orchidsare still one of the most popular potted plants. Although most species are exotic plants, orchids feel great in our apartments, decorating them with their beautiful flowers. In order for these plants to decorate our home as long as possible, they need to be properly cared for. Seehow to care for orchids in a potso that they bloom beautifully and grow he althily!
How to care for orchids in a pot
If you want to have beautiful orchids sprinkled with flowers, it is worth finding outhow to care for orchids in a pot to ensure optimal conditions for them First of all, it is worth knowinghow to water the orchidsand provide them with sufficiently moist air, andwhat to fertilize the orchids in the potto provide the plants with all the necessary nutrients.
1. How to water orchids in a pot?
Orchids grown in pots should not be watered very often , using a small amount of water. We water them on average 1-2 times a week. Many species of orchids have fleshy leaves or pseudobulbs that store water.Orchid roots should never stand in the water, as this leads to their rottingThe substrate should be visibly dry between one watering on top of another. It is easier for air to penetrate the dried-up substrate, thanks to which the root system is properly oxygenated. Thanks to this, the orchids are in better condition, and fungi do not develop on the surface of the substrate and the edges of the pots.
Good to know!The need to water an orchid in a pot is informed by the color of the roots.The green ones indicate the appropriate level of hydration, while when the roots turn silver, then we water the orchid. To make it easier to observe the roots, it is worth growing orchids in transparent casings.
The frequency and intensity of watering orchids in a pot should be adjusted to the air temperature in the room and the season.We water the orchids most often and abundantly in the summer, during their full vegetation.In sunny and hot weather, you should water the orchids even every 2-3 days. Roots should not be poured with water. A much better solution is to sprinkle the top layer of the substrate with water from the sprinkler. In winter, when we move the orchids to a cooler room for the rest period, we limit watering until the substrate is completely dry.
The quality of the water we use for watering is very important.Orchids are watered with soft, low-salinity water , slightly acidic, containing a lot of dissolved oxygen and not containing chlorine or fluoride, which are toxic for orchids. Tap water taken directly from the tap is not suitable for irrigating orchidsWatering and sprinkling orchids with hard water containing too much dissolved mineral s alts causes a gradual increase in their concentration in the substrate. As a result, the growth of the roots is inhibited, followed by their death and loss of the plant.
" Tap water, before watering orchids, we need to boil or condition it . To do this, fill an open vessel with water and set aside for a few hours in a bright place. After this time, the chlorine that is toxic to orchids will oxidize and the water is ready for use. "
Orchids should be watered in the morning with water at ambient temperature . In spring, when you want to stimulate the orchids to start growing faster, you should water them and sprinkle them generously with warm water (at a temperature that allows you to dip your hand in it).
2. How to sprinkle orchids in a pot?
To properly care for orchids in a pot, you also need to sprinkle them The condition for success in the cultivation of orchids is to provide them with sufficiently high air humidity. In summer it should be on average 75-80%, and in winter 50-60%.The water we sprinkle on the orchids, as well as the water after watering, should be soft, slightly acidic, at room temperature and low in mineral s alts
It is much easier to maintain high air humidity by growing orchids in terrariums or showcases. If we prefer the cultivation of orchids on the windowsill, the air humidity can be increased by frequent sprinkling of the plants.Do not spray the leaves and flowers of orchids directlyas they react badly. Water should be sprayed over the plant. A good solution is to place a regularly operating air humidifier near our orchids. Pots with orchids can also be placed in a litter box filled with pebbles or gravel and water. Water evaporating from the litter box will not only increase the air humidity around the plants, but will also keep the moisture in the substrate longer. Raising the humidity around the orchids in the pot should not be done by watering them from above with a stream of water as this will damage the roots and rot the leaves
3. How to keep orchids at the right temperature?
Taking care of the orchids in the pot, we must also provide them with the right ambient temperatureHere there is no single simple rule for all types of orchids. Therefore, it is worth making surewhich orchid we have in the potand then check the recommended temperature for it in the table below.
4. How to fertilize orchids in a pot?
Properly cared for orchids in a pot also require fertilization , but not too abundant! Orchids are very sensitive to the salinity of the substrate. That is why we only use highly diluted fertilizers to fertilize orchids.Orchids should be fertilized during the period of intensive growth, i.e.from April to September, with every third wateringSpecial fertilizing preparations for orchids are available on the market. It is better to use liquid fertilizers than in the form of sticks.
We never fertilize orchids immediately after planting , when their root system is damaged, or during the dormancy period. Orchids should also not be fertilized on cloudy days, or in winter when the days are short. Then the plants are not able to use the supplied nutrients due to the reduced intensity of photosynthesis. Nutrients then remain in the substrate, which may result in its salinity and the occurrence of symptoms of physiological drought.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
