It’s well-known that orchids are highly shade tolerant plants, however, it can be difficult to keep them that way. The damage to an orchid is large when subjected directly to the intense, harsh sun in hot summer months. For instance, that (one of the earliest orchid growers in the orchid group) often grows best under indirect sunlight, particularly in southern California. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to keep them that way; at some point they must be either trimmed or destroyed. Fortunately, growing orchid plants from seed is often a safe bet.
When you’re growing orchid plants from seeds, you are less likely to have problems with them staking out the entire root system, which is what usually happens when growing orchids from cuttings. Because the roots are so tightly wrapped up in the potting mix, the gardener has to put a lot more effort into pruning if the orchid starts to get too full, since there’s no more room for the roots. However, on the flip side, the orchid flower can still end up looking great even if it’s spread over a large area. The pots may be smaller, but a little less care is required.
Growing orchids is really all about providing the right light conditions. When trying to control the amount of sunlight an orchid can receive, it’s important to remember the type of plant. All orchids should be put in a well-ventilated, partially-shaded part of a room, and then they should be moved to a location where they’ll be getting at least 6 hours of bright light. When choosing a spot for your orchid, make sure it gets indirect but constant light, or you’ll stunt its growth.
Some orchids will only flourish with just a little light. These plants are called semi-dormant orchids, and they only need a little bit of sunlight to stay healthy. Most of these types of orchids like full sunlight, but they also like to have some of their yellow leaves appear white. This makes the plant appear as though it has white turned yellow leaves. If you want your orchid plant to have yellow leaves, however, you have to give it a lot of direct light.
Of course, some orchids will do better than others in certain conditions, such as night temperatures. Some orchids will do best in temperatures that are around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and lower temperatures at night. These types of orchids will bloom more profusely during the night. They’re actually quite delicate plants and don’t like to be subjected to too much frost or warmth. If your orchid plants are growing well in moderate heat but are not experiencing very good night temperatures, try pruning your orchids to remove some of the leaves, or allow them to become partially or fully covered with rocks or wooden planters.
Butchids love the sunlight, but they hate being over-watched! If you’re planning on doing any gardening at all with your orchid plantings, you may want to consider putting them into a shaded house or even inside a glasshouse. A shaded house is a little better for your orchid because it will provide more protection from the elements, such as strong winds or too much rainfall. A glasshouse will also help to keep your orchids off of the ground, which will make them healthier.
Watering your orchids is a must, so make sure you are watering them adequately. If you want to give your orchids a chance to bloom, you’ll need to give them an adequate amount of water every week during the summer months. During the winter months, you should water them only once per week, because they tend to do best when the soil is dry. You should never water your orchids from the top because they will not take the water well, and their roots will be left exposed. Orchids thrive best when they are planted in full sunlight, and if you are going to be out of the house for long periods of time, consider pruning your orchids or rearranging your orchid pots to encourage air flow through the soil.
Orchids are fairly easy to care for, but there are a few things you should remember when you are caring for your orchids. Orchids should always be given the proper amount of water, and orchid plants should be given about four hours of good light. Orchids love the sun, and when you are growing orchids that are placed in pots, be sure to move them frequently to give them the maximum amount of exposure to sunlight possible. The final note to make sure your orchids are happy is to give them a regular watering. Do not overwater orchids, because they can quickly become damaged by too much water.