Hardly any houseplant is as popular as the orchid. The exotic plants are considered relatively easy to care for and bloom easily. However, there are a few things to consider so that the beauties produce numerous flowers every year.
What tips are there for orchid care?
To care for orchids optimally, use special pots and substrate, water with room temperature, low-lime water, avoid waterlogging, fertilize moderately with orchid fertilizer and remove dead stems correctly.
Tip 1: Use special pots and substrate
Never place the tropical epiphytes in ordinary potting soil. Orchid soil, which you can get from specialist retailers, is very coarse-grained, so a lot of air gets to the roots of the orchids. This substrate also prevents waterlogging.
- Always use orchid pots. These should be only slightly larger than the old vessel.
- Shake used soil completely out of the storage organs.
- Cut off rotten and dead root parts with a sharp knife.
- After repotting, do not water as usual, but instead spray the fresh substrate with a sprayer.
- Be careful not to wet the leaves. If water collects in the leaf axils, this can also lead to rot.
Tip 2: Water correctly
Use only water that is at room temperature and very low in limescale. Rainwater is also good. An insider tip is aquarium water.
Tip 3: Avoid waterlogging at all costs
If you are too careful about the water supply and the orchid has constantly wet feet, the roots will almost always begin to rot. Therefore, make sure that no water collects in the planter and remains there.
Tip 4: Fertilize moderately and with the right product
To ensure nutrient supply, you should always use low-dose orchid fertilizer. Highly concentrated houseplant fertilizer accumulates in the substrate because the plant cannot absorb all the nutrients. This can cause the orchid to die for no apparent reason.
Tip 5: Remove faded flowers – do it correctly
Flowered flower stalks must be removed. However, be sure to leave them there until they have dried out. Cut off above the second or third bud.
Tip
You often hear the advice to water your exotic beauties with just one shot glass of water per week. This is not enough even for frugal plants. Check the moisture of the substrate using the thumb test and water so that the soil is wet. Excess liquid drains off and is then poured away.
