Valentine Orchid Care
Now that you have a beautiful Valentine orchid, what do you do with it? Don’t panic! Most orchids don’t deserve their difficult reputations. A few care tips can help you keep your orchid happy.
Identify your orchid – Moth Orchids, like the three in the row of photos above, are the most popular. Lady Slippers are shown in the second row of photos. Oncidiums, or Dancing Lady Orchids, are in the third row of photos, and Cattleyas are in the last row. They all come in many colors, sizes, and patterns, so use these pictures as general guidelines, not strict standards. Find more pictures and more tips to help identify orchids here.
Add humidity – Orchids need humidity, or water vapor, in the air. Dry air wilts flowers and attracts pests. To raise humidity, group plants together, or put plants in a humid area like a bathroom or kitchen. Use a cool mist humidifier, or a spray mister. Place flowerpots on a layer of pebbles in trays of shallow water, always keeping the water level below the bottom of the pots.
Add water – Remove wrapping paper or decorative containers, at least temporarily, if they block drainage holes. Soak the plant with room-temperature water, and then let all excess drain out. Don’t block drainage or let the flowerpot sit in water for too long, or roots may rot.
Add light – Place your orchid in bright light, but keep out of full sun while you’re enjoying the flowers. Many varieties will eventually need some sun to rebloom.
In a vase – Provide orchids the same care as other cut flowers. Place in lukewarm water, and keep the vase out of direct sun. Change the water every couple of days. High humidity will help the blooms last longer.
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