I just got an orchid. Any advice?
Question:It's supposedly one of the easiest ones to keep alive. Should I plant it in a larger pot...I think it's a little crowded by its roots. Do I really have to mist the leaves? How often?
How much sun does it really need? How can I tell if it needs more sun?
If you could answer any of these questions...it'd be awesome. Thank you!
Answers:
Yes, the orchid is easy to keep alive. As long as it has water, light and fertilizer and love.
Plant yours in a decorative pot of about 120 mm in diameter with 2-3 drainage holes. Tie the orchid to a short piece of wood of 100 mm, and placed it in the centre of the pot. Place a mixture of broken pots and charcoal around it to hold the plant upright.
Water the plant as required, enough for the plant to survive, say once or twice a week depending on the species.
Mist the plant occasionally If the humidity in your home is low (below 40%) or use a humidity tray. The tray is simply a metal or plastic tray that is filled with pebbles and 1/2 of water. The plant would sit on the pebbles. Be sure not to let the plant or roots sit in the water while on the tray.
Most orchid house plants do well in medium light. This would in a window or an area that could get about 4 hours of sun or bright light a day.
Find out more on the links below.
Orchids like air around their roots, so soil must be very free-draining. They need a good soaking drink of water to get their roots wet, but then let all the excess water drain away. Water outside with a spray head on a hose. Misting isn't really necessary unless you live in a very dry place.
They are better off to be a little root bound, ie to have their roots crowded into a smaller pot. When their roots start to overflow the pot and leaves start to wilt and die off its time to repot.
When you repot them use orchid mix or bark, not regular potting mix, and a pot just slightly bigger (not too big).
They also like lots of light but not direct sunlight, so a shady spot near a window or if outside in semi-shade is great.
Hope this helps :-)
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