Basics Of Growing Orchids For Beginners

When you are learning to grow orchids you should first look at the type of orchid you are going to buy. Some orchids are considered suitable for beginners and others may need a little more care and attention. There are plenty of orchids out there for a beginner, and you can soon have a whole collection.

However what is right for some people as a starter orchid will not work for someone else. Growing orchids for beginners is really not that difficult, research the type of care needed for the flowers you buy and you will soon have a thriving orchid plant at home.

Starter Orchids

Phalaenopsis orchids are considered ideal when growing orchids for beginners. These orchids are not too fussy when it comes to humidity levels; usually this type of orchid is capable of adapting to the level of humidity in your home. They also need less light than some orchid varieties; keeping these orchids on a windowsill that receives about four hours of sunlight a day is fine.

When it comes to watering most orchid growing tips will tell you to be cautious. While overwatering is bad for these plants, and will quickly kill them off, under watering can be bad too. This variety of orchid does not store moisture in pseudo bulbs; instead water is stored in its leaves and roots. Check on water levels by making sure that the growing medium is not soaking wet or dry.

Another variety of orchid that is great when growing orchids for beginners are the Oncidium varieties. An added plus is many types of orchids of this type have a pleasant fragrance. However with these types of flowers you need to make sure that you do not add too much fertilizer to the growing medium. When growing orchids for beginners be careful not to add too much fertilizer, plants can die from fertilizer burn.

If you are looking for orchids that have beautiful blooms but are still easy to care for then look for Cattleya orchids. When growing Cattleya orchids for beginners you will need to make sure that the orchids have extra lighting. Be careful when growing these orchids indoors as the plants of some varieties can grow to be quite big. Another thing to look out for when selecting easy to grow plants is if the plant reblooms easily. These types of orchids are good when growing orchids for beginners. Check with your nursery about any additional care tips.