Gardeners' World: Orchid expert talks caring for Phalaenopsis
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While orchids are hardy houseplants, they also have their own growth features and conditions. If gardeners are growing orchids at home or considering growing this stunning plant, they may be interested to know how to keep them thriving for as long as possible. All orchids will grow healthily as long as they are given the right amounts of water, oxygen, light, humidity, and nutrition. However, lack of knowledge or over-enthusiasm can cause growers to make certain mistakes that can jeopardise the health of orchids.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Kate Lindley, houseplant expert at Baby Bio, shared the top four mistakes gardeners make when caring for their orchids.
Overwatering orchids
Although orchids are tropical plants, they don’t need as much water as most common houseplants.
Kate warned: “Overwatering your orchid can cause it serious damage, and potentially kill it, so it’s vital that you get the balance right.”
She explained that the roots and crown of an orchid, where all the roots, leaves and shoots come together, essentially make up the plant’s “lungs”, so it’s important not to overwater them as it will cause your orchid to “suffocate”.
To fix this, the houseplant experts suggested: “To keep orchids happy and healthy this autumn, carefully water the base of the plant instead, aiming directly towards the soil.
“It’s good general practice to water an orchid every seven to 10 days, or when you notice that the soil is beginning to look dry. Any more frequent that this can cause root rot and fungal infestations.
“During the winter, some orchids will continue to grow, so remember to add five to 10 drops of Baby Bio’s Orchid Food to encourage brighter blooms and healthy leaves all year round.”
Watering directly into the soil will also help prevent moisture collecting on the leaves and flowers, as this can easily cause them to rot, leading to discolouration and even killing them off completely.
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Leaving them in direct sunlight
Although indoor plants love sunlight, plant owners shouldn’t keep their orchids in direct sunlight exposure.
Kate said: “Like all plants, sunlight is essential to allow your orchid to convert light into energy, and in turn produce beautiful blooms. Most orchids thrive in bright but indirect sunlight, so east or west-facing window sills are ideal, but beware of too much sunlight in west-facing positions during hot afternoons.
“Although the summer months are behind us, the autumn and winter sun can still be harsh on your orchid so it’s best to keep an eye on it to make sure it isn’t bathing in direct sunlight.”
Of course, there are some varieties which prefer sitting in the full sun, such as Vanda orchids, so make sure to always check your plant requirements before placing it in its new home.
Using regular soil
In nature, most orchids do not grow from the soil but cling to tree branches and trunks. As a result, potting soil is not a suitable medium for orchids
The plant expert explained: “Regular potting soil is often too dense for orchids to grow in as it restricts the roots of the much-needed air it needs to survive.
“It also provides insufficient drainage which could cause the roots to become diseased and rot over time. In their natural habitat, orchids are mainly either epiphytic, meaning they grow on trees, or lithophytic, meaning they grow on rocks.
“Most orchids therefore naturally grow high up in the rainforest treetops on rough bark rather than on the ground in soil, so it’s important to use the correct type of compost to prevent the plant from becoming waterlogged. Therefore, we’d recommend using a bark-based orchid compost which promotes aeration to the roots and drainage, which will promote healthy growth.”
Trimming new growths
If your orchid produces aerial roots, false or pseudobulbs, or canes, leave them alone. Roots and canes are a sign of healthy growth, while pseudobulbs can store energy and promote the continued blooming and growth of your orchid.
Kate said: “Orchids tend to develop new growths over time, including new aerial roots, pseudobulbs (thickened stems) or canes.
“These new additions may make your beautifully blooming orchid look unruly but they are all a very important part of the growing process, so it’s best to leave them as they are.
“Trimming them away could cause a number of issues, including encouraging diseases or causing an inability to sufficiently absorb the water and nutrients it needs to survive.”
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