Orchids are beautiful, when in flower they not only look stunning, but the placement of them on shelves, window sills and on home desks, can change the dynamic of a room. However, if you are anything like me, keeping these blooms blooming can become a battle.
I asked one of our Ambius experts for some advice on keeping my Orchid happy this winter season, and here are their top tips.
A number of orchids are adversely affected by temperature fluctuations, particularly prior and during blooming. The Phaleanopsis Orchid or Moth Orchid as it is also known, is the most common type of orchid grown in the UK, it has a long flowering period and is available in a wide variety of colours.
Orchids like bright light, but not direct sunlight as too much sunshine can scorch their leaves. East or west facing window sills are best, but check the label, as some types of the Vanda Orchid prefer full sunlight.
The best temperature for growing orchids
Over the winter months it can be hard to maintain an equilibrium of temperature, and placement of your orchid within the house needs to be monitored. Orchids prefer temperatures of about 18-23 degrees to thrive, effort should be made to not place blooming orchids in a north facing position if temperature fluctuations are pronounced. Also, be sure to keep an eye on cold and warm drafts from windows or heaters depending on the placement of your orchid plant.
Correctly watering and misting orchids
An orchid’s roots are very important, they are often exposed directly to air. Most orchid houseplants are from humid, tropical environments so in centrally heated homes they can become very dry, so misting the foliage with tepid water every 2-3 days will help to maintain this moisture. Be careful to avoid directly spraying the flowers as the delicate petals can become watermarked.
Overwatering is the most common way that orchids are killed, and roots sitting in water or wet soil will quickly rot. Water orchids as needed, but be sure that any excess water drains away from the soil.
Our Top Five Orchid Watering Tips:
- Lift the pot before watering to check if it feels heavy, only water if it feels light.
- For Moth Orchids, check the roots. If they are green they are okay, if they are silvery, then it is time to provide more water.
- If in soil, it should never be wetter than a wrung out sponge
- Don’t allow water to accumulate in the drainage saucer, as if the roots are sitting in this they will rot
- Try not to use cold water, tepid water is best.
Our Ambius specialists love to use orchid plants for indoor displays and workplace decorations. They are not only beautiful, but our teams have found creative ways to work them into rooms in order to create a welcoming environment.
