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Humidity:
Orchids prefer about 60% humidity. This is best achieved by
either purchasing a humidity tray at your local orchid store
or filling saucers or a tray with rocks and water underneath
and around the orchid. This is very important, unless you
will be growing your orchid in a greenhouse.
Light
and Air: Indoor orchids prefer anywhere from no direct light
to most of the day - choose an orchid with the links from
this page about different orchids to choose the one that's
right for you. Ventilation is also very important - either
open a window or turn a fan on - this makes the orchid happier
and decreases your chance of getting bugs or bacteria.
Watering:
Lift your orchid to tell when to water. If it is light, bring
it to the sink or bring your watering can over and water.
Filtered water is good but not necessary. Fertilize with a
very weak solution often. Make sure every 3-4 waterings to
water without fertilizer or you may get fertilizer buildup,
resulting in health problems for the plant.
Temperature:
This is a biggie! Some like it warmer than others. Some like
it cooler. If your orchids get too hot during the day, water
and mist them.
Potting:
Pot or repot every 1-2 years. One good way to tell when to
reopt is that the mix the plant is in is very old.
Pests:
It is possible to go either the natural route for pests or
the unnatural route. Getting a bottle of some kind of spray
you look up after identifying what pest you have. The natural
route it to clean and repot the plant, use dish soap mixed
in with a lot of water and spray it, or a light amount of
bleach. There are lots of home remedies. The best id circulation,
and not bringing your plant outdoors then indoors.
Cymbidiums
are different: Cymbidiums are a bit different - they're big,
the flowers last about 2-3 months and they can be often grown
outside. They prefer to be potted in fine bark.
There
are two types of Cymbidiums - mini ( flower diameter is 1-3
inches) and standard Cymbidiums (flower diameter is 3-5 inches).
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