While the at-home plant craze has done nothing but skyrocket over the past few years, plant-lovers everywhere may be searching for unique plants/flowers to adorn and spice up their home and/or personal spaces with. But, as many of us know, plants and flowers are unique organisms that have their own specific needs and requirements.
Depending on the climate you live in, your home environment, and many other factors can determine whether or not it would be suitable for you to own certain types of plants or flowers. However, that doesn’t completely narrow down your options if you live in a suboptimal location.
If it comes the time that you really want to own a certain type of plant, such as an orchid, there are many ways to get around it and ensure your orchid thrives. There are almost countless species of orchids, but most of them carry similar characteristics and needs.
So, let’s say you head to your local flower shop and spot a beautiful orchid that you want to take home. Sure, go for it!. But, just know that you’re likely going to be given an incorrectly potted orchid that isn’t good for long-term growth or care. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to orchid preservation and care, read on to learn of the must-have orchid supplies that everyone must have to properly care for their beautiful orchids.
The Essentials of Orchid Care
Soils and Fertilizers
Unbeknownst to some, you can’t just head to your local hardware store and grab the closest potting mix to use for your orchid. These flowers require a special type of soil, as orchid roots are very susceptible to root rot and love room to breathe.
Usually, things like bark, perlite, and moss are added to an orchid’s soil to help with moisture retention and to loosen dense soil to give those roots room to breath, grow, and chill out. Orchids don’t need that much water, so adding moss to your soil is a great way to evenly distribute water when it’s watering day.
Fertilizer can be used, sparingly, to help further the growth of your orchid. It’s recommended that you don’t fertilize your orchid during the wintertime, since the cold weather and dry air don’t bode well for the growth and life of the plant. Things like powdered and liquid fertilizer are great during the warm and humid summer months.
Pots and Baskets
As you can probably tell, orchids are unique plants that require unique tools. The same goes for the kinds of pots or baskets they need. Unlike other plants, the roots of an orchid spread out, not down. Therefore, shallow pots are the best things to put your orchids in.
Since these roots spread out and need a good amount of room to breathe, you need pots that have a good amount of drainage holes, so you don’t bog down the roots with water, which is never good for an orchid. What kind of pot you use is up to your preferences, as you can also put your orchid in baskets. Baskets are a great choice if you plan to hang your orchid or you just prefer the look.
While there is a lot that goes into growing orchids, successfully keeping an orchid healthy and growing is worth all the effort. To find the necessary orchid supplies and information, check out orchidsupplystore.com. This online marketplace is your one-stop-shop for anything you need to watch your orchids thrive!
If you have any questions regarding your orchid or what supplies you need, give them a call at 770-683-5579.
