How to care for an orchid bought in a store

1. Find out the plants age

If you bought a plant and it doesnt hurry to please with blooming, perhaps the orchid is too young. To determine the age of the green beauty, count the number of shoots.

An adult plant fully ready for blooming should have from 5 to 8. If flowers appear prematurely, the orchid may lack strength to recover.

2. Dont move the plant

Assign a specific place for each flower. Under no circumstances move the pot with the plant. Changing residence is real stress and a test for the orchid.

The orchid reacts to lighting. Therefore, if you need to move the pot, position the plant with the same side towards the light as before.

3. Monitor the root system condition

All orchid lovers know that this plants roots actively participate in the photosynthesis process. Therefore, the orchid should be placed not in a ceramic but in a transparent pot.

4. Take care of lighting

Sunlight – one of the most important factors affecting orchid blooming. Without full daylight (10 – 12 hours a day) this plant wont produce flower stalks. In the cold season, extend daylight for this plant with special lamps.

If theres no opportunity to buy one, you can use an ordinary white light energy-saving lamp. It practically doesnt heat up and can be placed a few centimeters above the leaves.

5. Organize small temperature fluctuations

Orchid blooming can be induced by a small difference between night and day air temperatures. Therefore, its desirable for the night air temperature to be 5 – 6 degrees lower than during the day.

Of course, in winter it will be difficult to provide such conditions for the plant, but from late spring to early autumn, the orchid can be kept outdoors. In the cold season, ventilate the rooms frequently. Do it carefully, as the capricious orchid is very afraid of drafts.

6. Water the orchid properly

Watering an orchid is a whole ritual. For the plant to feel good, water it only when the soil is completely dry. Ideally, use rainwater for watering, but you can also use regular water, boiling it beforehand.

Under no circumstances water the plant with tap water! The chlorine in such water will quickly burn the plants roots.

But how do you care for this amazing flower? Dont forget to share your secrets in the comments!