Tender orchids are among the most popular houseplants to grow, but to keep them thriving and flowering it’s important to avoid some common mistakes.
Moth orchids are probably the most popular and commonly grown orchids, found everywhere from garden centers to supermarkets. They enjoy a constant temperature of around 18°C, so are best grown indoors all year round.
Other orchids, such as dendrobiums, cymbidiums and oncidiums need a minimum evening temperature of 10°C, so can be moved outdoors in summer to a bright location away from direct sunlight.
Truth be told, once you learn something about what makes these plants unique, you can avoid the seven biggest mistakes beginners typically make:
1. Overwatering
There’s a common mistake newbies make with orchids. These plants are not like other houseplants, and since they don’t grow in regular soil, their watering needs vary too!
Don’t give your plant daily coverage: watering can only occur when the growing medium feels dry to the touch
2. Overfertilize the plant
Not all plants need to be fertilized, and orchids in particular seem ill-suited to a regular feeding schedule. If you don’t want to damage your beautiful orchids, avoid adding fertilizer too often.
For best results, be sure to use a fertilizer that contains equal parts nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium. For example: 10-10-10 works well diluted with water to half or quarter strength once every 5-6 weeks.
3. Keep it in a cool place
Orchids are delicate plants, so they should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from areas where there are cold drafts. If you live in a cool climate like me, try not to place them near windows that can make your home stuffy or give off COLD air!
Also avoid locations around A/C vents as they may cause problems with temperature fluctuations. Also be sure not to expose your orchids too much to temperatures below 50 F.
4. Using the wrong cookware
If you are growing moth orchids ( Phalaenopsis ) you need to grow them in clear containers to allow the green roots to photosynthesize. Dendrobium and cymbidium do not have photosynthetic roots, so they can be grown in opaque pots. Vandas do not need any pots and can be grown in empty pots or hung from strings.
5. Overexposure to sunlight
It is also important not to expose the orchid to too much sunlight. Phals grow best in indirect sunlight and should be placed in a south or east-facing window. You can find out if your orchid is getting the right amount of sunlight by looking at its leaves.
6. Land use
Many people take their orchids home and proudly plant them in a pot filled with soil, expecting great results. But within a few weeks the plant died. Damn!
This is because orchids do not adapt well to soil. They need a loose, aerated potting mix so the roots have plenty of room to breathe and draw water from the air around them. Soil only has a tendency to smother these plants, so avoid it at all costs when caring for your orchids!
7. Spraying the flowers
Orchids thrive best in the humidity of a tropical rainforest, but they cannot handle being too wet or humid. Misting them will result in sudden death and wilted flowers!
To avoid this tragedy, do not mist them at all. Instead, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water. This will help a lot with their moisture and keep them healthy and happy!