Can orchids grow in just water? Orchid flowers are beautiful and attractive even when they’re not in flower, but you may be wondering if it’s possible to grow an orchid indoors. The answer is yes, and here is how. All indoor plant orchid plants require exactly the same things to thrive: light, water, and a substrate to put their roots on or in.
Most orchids do well in partial shade, although some are more sensitive to sunlight than others. Some orchid species such as the cattlemen orchid, the star cactus and the orchid mantis are very sensitive to direct sunlight. Others, such as the phalaenopsis orchid and the leucotomus are able to handle full sun. If you have problems with too much light, then consider placing the orchid pot on a screen that has multiple cutouts. Watering your plant orchid plants will become easier.
Once you decide that your orchid will thrive in a home setting then you can begin to plan how you will care for your plant orchid. If you’re lucky enough to live in a room that has a window or two, then by all means, set up a window or two so that your orchid won’t get scorched. Or, try to find a place on your deck or patio where there are short periods of sunlight so that your orchid will stay healthy during those periods. However, remember that watering your orchid plants will become difficult because they don’t have the root system to rely on for moisture.
The best way to care for your orchid plants is by trying to simulate the conditions it would find in the wild. This is actually easier than you might think. Oncidium is one species that can be planted directly into a mix of soil and compost as long as you are prepared to nurture the plant and make sure it gets plenty of nutrients. Some orchids, such as the epiphyteus, have orchid flower stems that contain a large number of oncidium spores which can be simply transferred to other plants by smearing them on the surface of the soil.
Oncidium is another common plant that can be successfully planted into a mixture of soil and compost, provided that you are prepared to nurture the plant and make sure it gets enough nutrients. You should take some time to carefully clip the roots so that the orchid doesn’t become damaged or stressed by the process. Then repeat the orchid into a small pot, covering the roots with either loose gravel or a piece of tissue that will keep the roots from drying out and suffocating the plant. The pot should then be filled with potting soil and gently tilled in with the final hoe.
If you want to keep your orchid alive and growing for a long time, you must water it often. However, don’t overdo it. Oncidium, for example, will thrive fine if it has no water for a couple of days every couple of weeks, but it will still die if you water it too much. An orchid should have at least one to two inches of water in the potting mix you choose, and it should drain easily after each watering. If your orchid is having trouble draining, you may need to increase the water supply slightly.