Growing Orchids

In short: Water orchids only when the growing medium is nearly dry, usually once a week, using room-temperature rainwater or filtered water. Keep humidity at 50-70%, daytime temperatures 20-25°C and nights 15-18°C. Feed with orchid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer, and repot into bark mix every 2-3 years.

Orchids have become increasingly popular plants lately. It's no wonder - their magnificent flowers, which thanks to breeders shine in all possible colours, can captivate many a grower.

When you add to the beauty of the flowers the relatively low maintenance requirements of some species and easy availability in shops, their growing popularity is completely understandable.

Have you received an orchid as a gift and don't know what to do with it to make it bloom beautifully again, or are you planning to buy an orchid and have concerns about growing it? Then this article is just for you.

In this article you will find: orchids grow in the Czech Republic too, tropical heat-loving orchids, air humidity, proper watering, regular fertilising, placement in a suitable location and gentle repotting. Do you know what to do with an orchid after flowering?

Orchids

Orchids belong to a very wide family - approximately 850 genera and 17,000 species of orchids are known worldwide. Therefore, it's no surprise that orchids grow in almost every country. They can be found in various climatic conditions and temperature zones.

The original habitat must therefore be taken into account during cultivation itself. Tropical orchids won't thrive in a cold environment, and conversely, cold-loving orchids won't prosper in a heated flat.

On the other hand, the great variability is an advantage - you'll certainly find a species of orchid that will suit exactly the conditions you can offer.

In the Czech Republic, you can encounter approximately 24 genera of orchids growing in the wild. However, don't look for orchids in meadows that resemble those from shops - completely different genera grow in our climate.

If you manage to find an orchid in the wild, it will be great luck, because most species of orchids growing in the Czech Republic are among endangered, severely or even critically endangered plants.

In the Czech Republic, you can encounter, for example, Orchis, Dactylorhiza and Liparis.

Tropical orchids - the most commonly grown orchids

Orchids that are most commonly available in shops belong to the group of heat-loving or moderately heat-loving orchids.

Heat-loving orchids prefer daytime temperatures around 25 °C, night temperatures can be a few degrees lower. Heat-loving orchids easily tolerate even higher temperatures, but excessively low temperatures can lead to root rot and overall poor plant health.

Heat-loving orchids include plants of the Phalaenopsis genus, which are perhaps the most readily available on shop shelves. Moderately heat-loving orchids prefer temperatures around 20 °C.

Both these groups of orchids can be grown without problems in flats where the temperature corresponds to their requirements.

Orchids Need Sufficient Air Humidity

The required temperature alone does not guarantee that orchids will thrive on your windowsill. Another equally important condition for growing orchids is ensuring sufficient air humidity. In older brick houses, humidity tends to be much higher than in panel apartments.

Excessive dryness can be the cause of unsatisfactory orchid growth indoors. Orchids placed on a windowsill directly above central heating will not thrive very well. Fortunately, there are ways to increase air humidity near orchids and thus improve conditions for their growth.

Generally speaking, a group of multiple plants can maintain higher air humidity than a single standalone plant, so place several plants on your windowsill. A very aesthetic way to increase humidity is to place the pot in a tray with moistened drainage material (pebbles). You can also use air humidifiers. Misting the plants is also suitable.

Watering Orchids

Orchids need high humidity for good growth, but cannot tolerate waterlogging. Excessive watering in an attempt to maintain sufficient moisture can be devastating for orchids. When growing orchids, be careful about overwatering.

Waterlogging can be prevented by creating a drainage layer at least 4 cm thick in the outer pot. Polystyrene or fine gravel works best as drainage. It is essential to water judiciously whenever the substrate dries out. Under normal conditions, this means approximately once a week; in excessively dry apartments, an additional watering may be necessary as needed.

Water orchids with soft rainwater whenever possible. Let tap water stand before use. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature.

There are several watering methods. A proven method for commonly grown orchid species is showering the orchids (in summer, plants can be placed in the rain). Orchids can also be watered with a regular watering can.

Fertilizing Orchids

Fertilizing is essential for achieving beautiful appearance and abundant flowering. Special fertilizers developed precisely according to their requirements are designed for fertilizing orchids. Fertilize plants during the summer period when they grow most actively.

The recommended fertilizer dosage is always stated on the package. Follow it. An excessive dose of nutrients will rather harm the plants. For the root system of orchids, it is gentler to first moisten the substrate and only then fertilize.

Optimal Location for Growing Orchids

If you are limited to growing orchids indoors, windows are the most suitable locations. Windows facing all cardinal directions are suitable for growing orchids.

East and west-facing windows are absolutely ideal. These allow you to grow orchids without problems throughout the year. Orchids do not like excessive sunlight, so you must shade them on south-facing windows during the summer period.

On the other hand, these windows are a great advantage in winter, as they accelerate flowering thanks to sufficient light. North-facing windows are the opposite. During the summer period, you can use them as temporary shelter for plants sensitive to excess sunlight (e.g., Phalaenopsis).

The sensitivity of orchids to sunlight can be roughly determined by the firmness of the leaves - thicker and harder leaves are less sensitive to sunlight. For example, Phalaenopsis plants react to insufficient light at their location by dropping flowers. If you notice this phenomenon, try to provide the plant with more light.

Repotting Orchids

Orchids should be repotted approximately every two years; if necessary, they can be repotted more frequently. You should always repot orchids when the substrate is saturated with algae, when pests appear on the plants, roots begin to rot, after overwatering, or when the original pot is too small.

The most suitable time for repotting is during the growth phase after flowering, preferably in spring and summer. When repotting, proceed very carefully to minimize damage to the roots.

To remove unwanted pests, try to remove as much of the old substrate as possible. After shaking out the substrate residue, rinse the root system under running water. Remove old and damaged roots.

The choice of suitable substrate and pot is closely related to repotting. Each genus of orchids requires a different substrate; some genera even grow without any substrate...

The most commonly cultivated plants of the phalaenopsis genus thrive best in a substrate composed of pine bark, white peat with an admixture of charcoal.

If you cannot provide this special substrate for your plants, repot them into orchid substrate. Transparent plastic pots that are easy to clean are suitable for orchids.

Transparent pots are important to allow root photosynthesis to occur. Don't forget that outer containers should also be made of transparent material.

What to Do with Orchids After Flowering?

After flowering, most orchid species need a rest period - some longer, others shorter.

Plants of the Phalaenopsis genus don't require a very pronounced rest period after flowering. After these plants finish blooming, cut the flower stem behind the third dormant eye or behind the lowest faded flower.

Place the plants in a cooler location at approximately 16°C - 18°C (61°F - 64°F). Leave them there for about two months, after which the plant should produce a lateral shoot with flowers or a new flower spike.

During the rest period, don't fertilise the orchid and partially reduce watering. After the rest period, increase the temperature again and grow the plant as usual.

Written by Lenka Z.