Happy Orchid Month! Can you believe it’s spring already? The season is in full bloom, and we’re mad about the bevy of beautiful orchids that crop up at this time of the year. It’s no wonder there’s an entire month dedicated to their beauty. They’re ornamental and make wonderful gifts for a variety of special occasions, from wedding anniversaries to birthdays to those just-because moments.
But the orchid is more than a sight for sore eyes — it’s also packed with meaning. It’s representative of luxury, love, power, and elegance. Who wouldn’t love something so symbolic and special? So it’s only fitting that we’ve dedicated this edition of Nurture Your Nature to the wondrous orchid. Here’s how to tend to it so that it thrives and adds constant joy to your life!
Moisture Control
Let’s get the easy stuff sorted first: it’s fairly straightforward to care for an orchid. Treat it right and it has the potential to remain healthy and vibrant for months! At a bare minimum, be prepared to water the average plant at least once a week. That’s dependent on a few factors, though. If the moss that it’s planted in holds on to moisture like a sponge, then you can probably stretch that out to anywhere from 10 to 12 days. Be sure not to oversaturate it, though, or you risk dealing with root rot that could lead to premature failure. No one wants to see an orchid go earlier than necessary!
Blooming Conditions
Orchids are a little different from other plants in that they perform best when they’re positioned in indirect sunlight when they aren’t in bloom. Too much light can have a detrimental effect and cause the plant to develop burns. You can usually tell that your orchid is in the right place by the condition of the leaves. They should be a shade of rich, bright, vibrant green. And once they’ve reached the point where they’ve bloomed, you can put it anywhere without exposure to direct sunlight. It’s best to keep your orchid in a temperate space that’s at least 70° to 80° Fahrenheit during daylight and above 60° Fahrenheit at night.
Clear the Air
Orchids also happen to work overtime as natural air purifiers. That means the thick, stale air that occupies your home or apartment will soon be a thing of the past with one of these bright beauties present. They release oxygen during the overnight hours and help eliminate xylene from the air during the day. If you’ve recently painted the walls or are about to complete a home renovation, adding an orchid will quickly spruce up the space — and the air!
Easy Does It
You don’t want to go overboard with your delicate orchid plant. It’s simple to maintain, and as long as you don’t neglect it, you can count on it to perform well for months. One of the keys to its success is soil quality. Our Phalaenopsis Orchids are set in sphagnum moss, which holds on to moisture and nutrients and allows the plant to grow up and live its very best life.
To further that effort, add about half of the recommended strength of a well-balanced fertilizer, and flush the mix with pure water at least monthly to eliminate sodium buildup. Avoid adding any fertilizer while the plant’s in bloom, though.
One more thing: If you follow these steps, you can be sure your orchid will be around for a while — and definitely throughout its celebratory month! Just keep an eye on this beauty. You can prune any obvious wilting so that it remains as healthy as possible. Once all of the blossoms have gone, cut the stem to the base. That will stimulate new leaf growth and allow a fresh stem to develop.
