Introduction To Orchids And How They Are Easy To Grow
Anyone who has just started gardening chooses orchids to be their first growth. Why is that so? Orchids are the largest growing family of plants. They have so many species and varieties suited to every weather condition. It will not be wrong to say that you can find orchids in every part of the world except Antarctica. Once you get the hang of their needs, you can easily grow yourself a bed full of orchids. There are endless options when it comes to which breed you should grow.
Orchids are easier to grow as compared to other plants. The Chinese used them in the early 700 BC for their medicinal properties. Furthermore, the number of stunning species of flowers among orchids exceeds 25,000. Hence, you can easily find an orchid that is pretty and can survive in your climate.
However easy it is to grow a flower, you still have to take care of somethings. It is only Jack’s beanstalk that grew by itself. Real flowers need the care to nourish. Read on to find out how to grow orchids and care for them. We also have a list of the easiest orchids to grow for beginners.
How To Grow Orchids Easily?
1. Proper light:
Different species have different light requirements, but most of them are light-loving creatures. How would you know the amount of light needed? A little negligence on your part can cause your orchid to die. The best idea would be to observe your plant.
If the leaves and stem are hard-core and thick, it means they need plenty of light. Such plants should get an average of 10 hours of light every day. You can change the position of the pot or direct artificial lights during short days. Those orchids with soft, fragile leaves require less amount of light.
2. Potting:
Most of the orchid species are epiphytes. In general terms, epiphytes are those plants that grow in the air along with the trees. Hence, the usual potting mix is bark, peat moss, stones, coconut fiber, fern roots, etc. the fir bark is the most common potting for orchids.
Since you are not growing them in soil, it needs shuffling and re-potting. If you see your potting mix starting to break down, it is an indication that you need to re-pot your orchid. But only do so when necessary. Constant disturbances may cause your orchid to die.
3- Watering:
You might think that forgetting to water your plant may kill it. Let me tell you a thing; it is the opposite. Giving excess water to your orchids has more risk of killing them. Do not water your plant if the potting is wet. Usually, orchids require watering once a week.
There are other factors that account for the amount of water needed by your plant. Plastic pots take more Time in draining and absorbing than clay pots. Therefore, if you are using a plastic pot, you have to water less frequently. Your potting material also affects the amount of water needed.
3. Temperature:
Even though most orchids adapt to the temperature easily, you need to be mindful of the best results’ temperature and humidity. How and when your orchids bloom depends mainly on the temperature. They can be categorized broadly into three main categories.
Warm:Such orchids like a temperature between 70F to 85F.
Intermediate: Such orchids like a temperature between 65F to 75F.
Cool: Such orchids like a temperature below 70F.
Most orchids however, can live in between warm and intermediate conditions. If you live in an extremely hot or cold environment, you have to get the orchid species best suited to that.
5 Easiest orchids to Grow for Beginners
1. Phalaenopsis:
These are also called moth orchids and are the most popular of them all. Most people only know Phalaenopsis as orchids since they are so common. These flowers come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Moth orchids also do not have any strict requirements.
These orchids grow in a warm environment with light. You have to take care not to overwater them. Like all other orchids, excessive watering kills these plants.
2. Calanthe:
Calanthe orchids come in both evergreen and deciduous types. They come in beautiful rosy shades ranging from pink to purple. The deciduous species lose their leaves in autumn while the evergreen ones remain blooming in all seasons.
They are easy to grow and take little time to form a cluster of pretty flowers. They grow at intermediate temperatures and are sturdy and robust. They can survive extreme weather till -10 C, but you need to protect them if the temperature lowers anymore.
Miltonia:
Miltonia resembles pansies in appearance. It might be hard for you to differentiate between the two if you are not an experienced gardener. This is why they are also called “pansy orchids.” they grow in cool conditions, where the temperature falls in the range of 55F to 65F.
These plants grow in average sunlight, therefore do not place them out all day. A bright area without any direct sunlight would suffice these orchids. You can find Miltonia in various shades of pink, which would look stunning in your gardens.
4. Coelogyne:
Coelogyne are the most fragrant orchid species. You can practically smell them all day with their long-lasting smell. They do well in cool temperatures, somewhere below 70F. The flowers are snow-white and lacy. This combination provides an appealing sight. The sweet fragrance elevates the whole look.
They require less watering and can survive a few weeks without water. Keep an eye on the pot; if you feel like it’s dry, water it slightly. These are the easiest orchids to grow, given their negligible requirements.
5. Dendrobium:
These are among the most beautiful orchids out there. The soft, fragile pink petals, with yellow hints in the middle, provide an exquisite sight. Dendrobiums require intermediate conditions, with a moderate temperature and humidity. They need bright light in autumn, while increased water and light in spring when the temperature rises.
Conclusion:
This guide contains enough information on how to grow orchids and start with the adventure. Orchids are the perfect fit for all outdoor and indoor settings. They are beautiful and easy to grow, requiring low maintenance.
