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I realize that it can be frustrating to hear that caring for orchids is easy while yours are slowly losing their leaves and looking sicker day after day. Are you ready to finally hear the truth? It is simple, but often not easy, especially for first time orchid growers. It all comes down to just a few things that you need to pay attention to. While some orchids are like close family, others are more like inlaws, and don’t mix well. They have different requirements. But in general, properly caring for orchids requires 4 basic elements. They are light, water, temperature and fertilizer. You just have to know your orchid type and adjust the amounts of these elements appropriately.

Luckily, most orchids have some common preferences. Most of the popular orchids prefer a humid environment. You can create a humid environment by adding a layer of stones to a tray and then putting water in the tray up to the top of the stones. Now place your potted orchid on the rocks, making sure the roots are not soaking in the water. Adequate air movement is crucial too, or your orchid will just rot. To give most orchids enough light without overdoing it, east facing windows often work great. Depending on your orchid type, it may require more light, but be sure to avoid direct sunlight. Make sure it is filtered or you will burn your leaves.

Orchids grow all over the world, all on their own. This tells us that your orchid will do well if the same combination of these four elements is supplied. All you have to do is create an environment closest to your orchid’s natural habitat. The great thing is you don’t need any special equipment to determine whether you are providing the right environment for your orchid. You can easily determine most of this just with some good old fashioned attention to your orchid.

Some simple observation can reveal a lot. For example, take a look at the roots and see how they feel. If they are soggy, they clearly don’t need any more water. Perhaps the roots look fine, but the leaves have begun to turn yellow and to fall off. Then maybe it is getting too much direct light. Or maybe there are signs of disease or pests.

Following is an overview of basic needs for some of the most popular, and easiest to grow orchid types. So determine which orchids you have and follow these guidelines.

Dendrobium Orchids

The fact that Dendrobiums are easy to grow is one reason they are so popular. Place your dendrobium in moderate light. Use your observation, but they typically require water every one or two weeks. Try to keep them constantly moist when they are actively growing, but let them dry out a bit when they are more dormant. Keep the temperature between 50 and 70, and feed it every 30 days.

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Another favorite orchid, it is frequently one that people acquire as their first orchid, e.g., the white moth orchid. These grow naturally in the tropical areas of Asia, and what makes them popular is the variety of colors and their longer bloom times. the tropical regions of Asia, it comes in many colors and is one of the longest blooming orchids. Most Phalaenopsis prefer low light conditions. Phalaenopsis need more water than other orchids, since it does not have pseudobulbs that can store water. Try to keep it constantly moist rather than dry. Preferred temperature range is 50 to 75F.

Cymbidium Orchids

A Cymbidium orchid is yet another easy to grow orchid. They flourish in brilliant lighting, and they can even thrive outside the house if the temperatures are not too excessive. Cymbidiums like to be continuously moist, but you should not soak them. Stay clear of direct sun, as this can burn the leaves. This is yet another orchid that favors temps between 50 and 70F, however you can get more blooms by always keeping the temperature on the lower end of the range.

Cattleya Orchids

Yet another orchid that comes in a range of colors, some Cattleya orchids have contrasting stripes and other patterns. There are possibly more hybrids of Cattleya than any other variety of orchid. They like brilliant, but again indirect light. Their leaves will be brighter green if they are receiving a sufficient amount of light. Water thoroughly when they are in their growth phase, but cut back once flowers begin emerging. Allow the plant’s roots dry out in between waterings. Can you guess the ideal temperature? Right, 50 to 70F. See you know a lot already!

I have covered the essentials of caring for orchids, concentrating on 4 of the most widely used and easiest to grow orchids.As you observe and make adjustments to keep your orchid happy, you will learn the exact amounts of water, light, food and temperature that work the best. Just don’t stop trying if you have a setback. You never know, it may even become a passion of yours like it has for numerous others.

Caring for orchids is not difficult, but many think so. So Brian Paul decided to share his knowledge with others by releasing these orchid growing hints and a FREE orchid care minicourse. Get yours at Growing Orchids

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I don’t know what my friend was thinking when she gave me an orchid as a gift over 20 years ago. I did not know that it was an orchid, much less what type of orchid, but later I learned it was a popular Phalaenopsis. But I was intrigued by its unique flowers. Unfortunately the plant did not last long, but being the curious sort of person that I am, I was interested to learn what makes them ‘special’. I found it interesting that while thousands of people are orchid fanatics, there are thousands of others who avoid them because they are convinced that caring for orchids is some kind of mystery, only revealed to the worthy.

In fact I was definitely challenged when it came to caring for plants, both indoors and out. But the orchid put its spell on me, and I got ‘hooked’ on how to look after them. Since then I have learned a lot, and have de-mystified caring for orchids, so that I think practically anyone with a bit of attention can grow vibrant orchids with a minimum of fuss. There really is no secret to caring for orchids. There are basically only 6 things to consider. If you give these 6 factors your consideration, you will likely find that you have happy orchids, and you may even come under their spell like I did.

1. What Is Your Orchid’s Natural Environment?

When you buy an orchid, make sure you can recreate the conditions the plant requires in its natural environment.. Start by reading the label that came with your orchid. Also, some places will give you a basic growing and care guide.

2. Orchid Lighting

There is some variablity among orchid types, but most require at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light. Direct light will scorch the leaves. If your orchid is getting the right amount of light, its leaves will be medium to light green. Dark green leaves means not enough light and pale green leaves means too much. See that wasn’t difficult was it?

3. Too Much Love Can Drown Your Orchid

This is the way I managed to kill my first orchid. I basically overwatered it. So when it turned yellow I gave it more! Although it varies some by season, and by the dryness of the air around your orchid, watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient. One way to check is to insert a wooden stick into the orchid’s growing medium. When you remove it, if it is darker, that means you don’t need to water. Just remember, orchids can require different amounts of water at different times of the year, so keep checking!

4. How To Know When To Feed Your Orchid

You don’t give cat food to your dog, so don’t give regular plant food to your orchid. Get real orchid fertilizer for best results. Then apply it as a weak solution about once per week during its growing season. To do this, use only half the amount mentioned on the packet.

5. Repotting Your Orchid

Repotting was always my least favorite thing to do, but it does make a big difference in your orchid’s health.. Remove the old mix from the pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Rinse the roots and trim off any hollow or mushy ones, as they are considered dead. Put the orchid into a pot about 2 inches bigger than the one it just came from. Put some drainage material in the bottom of the new pot and then growing medium so that where the orchid comes out of the growing medium is just below the top of the new pot. Press gently to settle the plant but don’t use too much force or the roots may break. Use a stick to support the plant in the pot so it is secure. If your plant is growing in sphagnum moss, make sure it is damp before wrapping it round the roots and repotting, that way you don’t have to worry about pockets of air. Once your orchid is in its new pot, the plant should be moved away from bright light and should not be watered for 3 – 5 days to allow it to recover.

6. What to Do After Your Orchid Flowers.

Determine if your orchid reblooms from the same spike or whether blooms will come from new spikes. Once the plant has finished flowering the spike needs to be removed at the base with a sharp instrument to lessen damage to the plant itself. If you aren’t certain, don’t cut it off!

7. Orchid Diseases and Pests

OK, there is a seventh issue to take into consideration. Sometimes your orchid will get a disease or a pest. An important part of orchid care is looking out for various fungi or parasites. Isolate any plant that has a problem, check it out, find the remedy and start treating as soon as possible.

I am here to tell you, if you focus on these conditions and provide the amounts your orchid prefers, your orchid will thrive. Caring for orchids will become easy for you, and your satisfaction and pride will grow along with your healthy orchid.

What you just learned about caring for orchids is just the beginning. To get a FREE Orchid Care minicourse, check us out at Growing Orchids .

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