Caring for Your Orchids - Gardening Article

By:Nazima Golamaully

Orchids are a delicate plant and caring for them can be somewhat nerve-racking. If you have never had these flowers before then you might be surprised to know that they have more in common with the cactus than any other plant.

Preventing rot in the roots is your main priority when cultivating orchids. To do this you need to be very careful about how much and how you water your plants. The medium in which your flowers are grown in is also very important as this determines how much moisture is retained.

Healthy Orchids

Choosing a healthy plant is the first step to maintaining beautiful phalaenopsis. When choosing your plant there should be some buds that are not yet opened. If all the flowers are open you cannot properly judge if this is a healthy plant. You should also see roots that have taken hold. No visible root network and you don't have a healthy plant.

The leaves should not be a very light green or a very dark green. The leaves should have a color that sits somewhere between the two. The leaves and stems should be clean and there should be no blemishes. Though most phalaenopsis leaves have some mottling on them. The plant should not be overflowing out of its container and neither should the container dwarf it.

Keeping it Dry

Caring for orchids is similar to growing a cactus in that both plants do fine without water for long periods of time. Those delicate blooms are not water hungry at all. In fact watering your phal too often will contribute to its speedy decline and eventual death. It needs to be kept moist but not wet.

When watering orchids be very careful not to get water onto the actual flowers. These blooms should last for several months, wetting them will decrease their life cycle. A good place to keep orchids is the bathroom. Yes, that's right, the bathroom is humid and these plants do well in a humid environment.

Water your new phalaenopsis when you bring it back as it is probably quite dry. To do this take it outside or to the kitchen sink and use lukewarm water to wet the growing media. The growing media should be quite wet and allowed about fifteen to twenty minutes to drain so as to be quite dry again. Do not water again even if you think it looks like it might need it. Water sparingly; it certainly does not need daily watering.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: orchids, orchid care, how to take care of an orchid, orchid care instructions

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

For a comprehensive guide to orchids visit Orchid Information Online at http://www.OrchidInfoOnline.com

Top Gardening Articles
1). Mulching Benefits / Organic And Inorganic Mulch Types By : Francis Kilkelly Mulching is the practice of placing a loose surface onto the surface of soil in your flower or vegetable garden in order to protect, insulate and beautify the area. This loose covering is called a mulch and it can be either of an organic or inorganic variety. Examples of mulches include compost, stone and grass clippings. Every gardener should understand the many benefits of mulching the soil in their garden.
2). Beautiful Calla Lilies By : William Berg The Calla Lilies are plants belonging to the Zantedeschia genus in the Araceae family. The genus contains seven plant species and they are all commonly referred to as Calla Lillies. Some of them have other common names as well. Zantedeschia aethiopica is also known as giant white arum lily and common arum lily. Zantedeschia albomaculata is sometimes sold as spotted arum lily, and Zantedeschia rehmannii is known as the pink arum lily.
3). Insecticides & Fungicides/Spreader-stickers, Wetting Agents: By : Thomas Ogren Spreader-stickers, Wetting Agents: Getting the most out of Your SpraysThomas OgrenSpreader-stickers or if you prefer, sticker-spreade
4). Tips On Caring For Orchids By : Lee Dobbins Learn about the special care needs of the exotic orchid.
5). Problem Free Patios, Paving And Paths By : James Kilkelly If you are thinking of creating a patio, courtyard or path within your garden, then I have some helpful information for you. Where to place a path Have a good look at your garden, even if you are just viewing from the comfort of your kitchen, this may give you an idea of where paths should be placed. Viewing a curved pathway, particularly one that wraps behind a border will entice the viewer to exit the house and follow the path to discover what lies at its end.
6). A Guide to Different Types of Shrubs for Your Garden By : Hege Crowton Among the bewildering lists of shrubs, certain names stand out as new and unusual, or, on the other hand, tried and familiar. These include both the evergreen and deciduous types.
7). Clear Clutter At Home With Baskets By : Karen Fritscher-Porter What's an item that can help you organize every room in your home, helps create the appearance that you're a tidy housekeeper (even if you're not),
8). Is There a Fungus Among Us? By : Wallace Conway Mold has taken hold! Not that the microbes have reached out and grabbed us, but rather they have captured our attention. A rash of recent hig
9). Getting to the top with flagpoles By : Tom Are you in search of the most up-to-date help regarding flagpoles. When you are looking for excellent information about flagpoles, it will be eas
10). Decorating Your Home: 5 Style Tips that Cost Less than $50 By : Julie Dana Do you dream of adding style to your home but don’t have a lot of money? Don’t despair! There are 5 things you can do that will help your house lo

New Gardening Articles
1). Introducing Container Gardening By : Christopher Byrnes Learn the basics of container gardening, and how to lay one out for best effect.
2). Is Your Gardening Harming The Environment? By : Christopher Byrnes Learn some of the surprising, but little-known ways in which your gardening can actually benefit the environment, and avoid harming it too.
3). Making Your First Garden By : Joe Bella The first thing in garden making is the selection of a spot. Without a choice, it means simply doing the best one can with conditions. With space limited it resolves itself into no garden, or a box garden. Surely a box garden is better than nothing at all.
4). Dedicating a Hope Patch as a Remembrance Garden By : Dave Pipitone Mourning deceased friends, family and loved ones is difficult work. Creating a remembrance garden to recall them in hope contributes to the healing process.
5). Dream Home Gardening By : Anna Woodward Home gardening is tricky business. Do you ever wonder how you can get your garden to look like those in popular home-and-garden magazines?
6). How To Make Sure Your Wildflowers Survive In Your Home Garden By : Gregg Hall If you have ever taken a walk in the woods you may have seen all the beautiful flowers that can be found right in nature. Did you think to yourself, I wonder what these would look like in my yard? If you have wondered this same thing, here are a few tips for you to make sure your flowers will survive.
7). The Ideal Greenhouse Heaters To Choose From By : Chris Fox Providing information on greenhouse heaters that reviews all the different types of heaters available
8). Avoid Gardening Injuries With The Correct Tools and Techniques By : Brooke Hayles Gardening is a pleasant exercise. Avoid unnecessary injuries or disappointments by using the correct tools and techniques.
9). The Right Gardening Tools Can Make All The Difference! By : Brooke Hayles Taking time to carefully think about and choose your tools could mean a money saving effort on your part. Be sure to pick the tools you need and feel comfortable using, which will help you get your gardening jobs done efficiently and with enjoyment.
10). A Look At Some Of The Basic Tools You Need To Properly Care For Your Care By : Gregg Hall A lawn mower is important when it comes to caring for your lawn, but not the only tool. If you want to have a really great lawn you will need to have a couple other power tools. The power tools that you will need depend on the greenery you have in your yard.