Orchids are gorgeous plants but have a reputation for being fussy. I avoided buying orchids myself and killed the first few I was gifted because I simply did not know what to do with them. Finally last year I was gifted with a succession of Orchids and decided that I had to stop killing them and so went on a hunt for Orchid knowledge. I managed not to kill two of the three I had ( the third one is still not dead but not doing so great), but then saw a dear friend repotting and caring for hers. When I asked, she said she had them for a couple of years.
Introducing Ritu Sharma, who has managed to care for and get her Orchids to bloom year on year. Ritu shares her journey and what she has learned about these lovely but delicate plants as follows.
This is how I learned to care for my Orchids.
- During summer, I keep my orchids indoors, close to NNE facing window where it gets morning sun and I water, generally once in a week or 10 days. It’s better to keep it amongst or next to other plants for a humid environment.
- Orchids like to stay in 1 place. Choose an appropriate place and do not move it around much.
- I bring them out in winter though as they need some sunlight to bloom. Mine is placed facing North.
- Watering in winters is 5-7 days apart depending on how much sun it’s exposed to. It’s important to make sure the roots are not sitting in water. You can spray just the roots with plain water every now and then, as they have aerial roots. If you are misting often, might have to cut down on watering
- Be careful not to water from top as leaves will rot if water stays in between the leaves overtime.
- Leaves need to be wiped clean every now and then. I use a solution of 1/2tsp isopropyl alcohol to 1/2ltr of water or just plain water to spray and wipe immediately. You can use tissue paper or very soft cloth to do so.
- Fertilizer: In winters I use beetroot and onion peels water* / plain water/ desert groups ‘fruit and flower’fertilizer (pink one) to water
- It needs to be repotted once in 1 or 2 years or as and when you notice any shriveled roots. It’s advisable to repot after blooms are over or just before new growth appears. I have shared the link of the video that I followed for reviving the orchid before repotting.
- I have used a mix of fir bark (medium and small size), hydrostones or small pieces of terracotta (in place of usual recommendation of Lava rock), charcoal, small pieces of Coconut husk. I put some moss on top as it prevents roots from drying
- Once the flowers are spent, you can either cut the stem from bottom, esp if it’s getting dry or else leave the stem, trimming only little from top. That might bloom again as in the picture marked by red
- I soak beetroot and some onion peels in water for 2-3 days and use for flowering plants.
I am an amateur but these tips are what I have tried (after looking at various videos and reading articles) and they have worked for me. Hope they help. Good Luck.
Article and photos – courtesy Ritu Sharma
As a footnote, I shall add all the mistakes I made as I killed at least 4 of these gorgeous plants –
I did not give them enough light
I did not fertilize properly
My potting mix was wrong and finally, my Pot was wrong.
You can get a ready Orchid mix on Amazon and in some nurseries. Add some vermicompost to it as well and fertilize with a potassium-rich fertilizer during the flowering months. I put mine out in late October when the weather cooled down and they seem to be thriving. However, they do not get direct sun. In a few weeks’ time, I will have to move them to a more shaded place as the sun would have changed.
In the Gulf, keep them in the complete shade until early March and they are quite happy, you might want to take them in soon after. The North corner is best for them. Also, try and get an earthen pot with holes as that works really well for the orchids.
Recent Comments