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Orchid Care: Tips and Information on Orchids
The orchid is the queen of houseplants! With around 30,000 different species, orchids are one of the largest and most diverse plant families in the world - and one of the most popular. No wonder: they look precious, exotic and graceful. They used to be considered difficult to cultivate. But today there are cultivars that are extremely robust. If you take the right care and pay attention to a few small details, you can keep your orchids blooming again and again.
Origin
Orchids have fascinated people with their infinite colours and flower shapes since time immemorial. The Chinese philosopher Confucius, for example, described their lovely fragrance as early as the 500th century BC and used the symbol "Ián", which stands for beauty, grace, elegance, love and purity. However, the orchid family has much earlier origins: it is estimated that it originated around 120 million years ago. However, it took until the 17th century before the plant became known in Europe. But then it took the hearts of Europeans by storm.
Making the right choice
The previously very high prices for orchids have now fallen sharply due to mass production and cultivation. You can now buy them almost anywhere - even in furniture shops and supermarkets. However, if you buy your orchid in a specialised shop, you will usually have a larger selection and receive sound advice and good quality.
You should definitely pay attention to the following when buying: You can recognise a healthy orchid by its root ball. Healthy root tips are long, firm and greenish to reddish-brown in colour. A plant with several stems will have a more luxuriant bloom later on. It is also worth buying orchids that still have many healthy buds and have not yet fully bloomed. The Phalaenopsis - also known as the butterfly orchid - is one of the best-selling orchid species. It is considered particularly easy to care for and adapts easily to its surroundings.
Modest flatmates
Many other orchid species today are also very uncomplicated. The basic rules are: They need little water and plenty of light, but no direct sunlight. It is important that the light also reaches the roots. Normal potting soil is therefore unsuitable. Orchid substrate or pine bark are better. Transparent pots, glass containers or special orchid planters also ensure that it is not too dark for the roots. When transporting them home and choosing a location, you should bear in mind that orchids do not like extreme cold or heat, temperature fluctuations or draughts. The kitchen or bathroom are more suitable than the living room because the humidity is higher there. Ideally, the room temperature should be 18 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Less is more
Another important factor in caring for orchids is watering. Plants are often watered too often and too much. This causes the roots to rot. At normal room temperature, orchids need to be watered about once a week - but only if the substrate is dry or at most slightly damp. The water should be at room temperature and contain little lime or be boiled. Clean rainwater is ideal for orchids. It is best to immerse the pot in a water bath and then allow the excess water to drain off thoroughly to prevent waterlogging. Orchids also like to be sprayed with water from time to time. This also increases the humidity.
From time to time, so-called aerial roots may form and grow out of the pot. These can be carefully tucked back into the planter, but should only be cut off if they are dead or rotting. Sometimes it seems as if orchids have faded and died. However, they always have periods of dormancy during which they do not bear flowers and do not form new buds. During this time, they should be kept in a cool place - at around 12 to 16 degrees Celsius - and watered even less. This phase usually only lasts a few weeks. Orchids should also be repotted after two to three years, as the roots need new space and fresh substrate. It is important that repotting does not take place during the flowering period. Flowering and rooting at the same time would cost the plant too much energy.