Orchids have been placed into the category of “too much maintenance” for far too long and it’s time to remove the bias!
The one thing we can all agree on here is that Orchids are stunning flowers and make a statement. Unfortunately, these stunning flowers get a bad rap when it comes to maintaining them once you bring one into your space. Orchids have needs just like every living thing, and once you know what those are, it’s smooth sailing!
What’s So Special About Orchids?
Glad you asked! Here are 8 reasons they are worth all the hype:
- They are one of the oldest and largest families of flowering plants.
- Their flowers are perfectly symmetrical.
- Mature Orchids grow upside down!
- The vanilla bean comes from a species of Orchid.
- Orchids can live up to 100 years.
- Symbolic of love, luxury, beauty and strength.
- The smallest Orchid is the size of a dime.
- Orchids are hypoallergenic (take that allergies!)
Every Plant Deserves A “Second Chance”
Now let’s tackle the elephant in the room!
If you’ve owned an Orchid before but your time together felt “short-lived” then you are likely feeling a bit apprehensive about giving this another go. Which is normal, but Orchid care is just like riding a bike. You get back on after you fall and once you know how to ride you know for life!
Let’s look at some of the typical Dos & Don’ts!
Light: There’s a misconception that orchids need lots of light. While they do require some light, they don’t require a heavy dose of direct sunlight. The latter will burn the leaves of your orchid as well as distort the colour. The rule of thumb is to keep your orchid near a window, not directly beside a window. Indirect sunlight is the key.
Watering: Orchids should only be watered about once a week. It’s best to allow them time to dry out between each watering. When watering, you should allow the water to run through the bottom of the pot. If you keep your orchid in a pool of water, the roots will rot and the life of your plant will be cut short. Some people like to place their orchids on a humidity tray (a saucer or cookie sheet filled with rocks and some water) or spritz them every morning.
Potting Mix: Orchids love to feel the air on their roots. They naturally grow high in the trees, not in the soil. The mix that your plants come potted in allows the water to run through and allows air to get to the roots. While you should never add soil to your orchid pots, moss is fine as it still allows the roots to breathe.
Blooms: Orchids can bloom from 2 to 6 months at a time depending on the care you give them. Once the last bloom falls, you may see the stems start to shrivel up. You can either cut back the stem to the first notch or cut right back to the leaves. By doing so, you are allowing your orchid to concentrate on rebuilding its roots and growing new stems. This is the time to place your orchids in a cooler location for one to two months. You should start to see a new stem growing them that time.
Orchid Care Products
Now that you know how to care for your Orchid, the next thing to do is choose one! If you’re ready to do the impossible and adopt an Orchid into your life, we do carry a few products to help you succeed!
