Orchids have a reputation for difficult plants to grow, not suitable for inexperienced hands. These flowers have long been a symbol of love and beauty. With more than 750 kinds of orchids, more than 30,000 hybrids and more are appearing each year, this flower enthusiasts can choose from a variety of types. Care for an orchid can be a relatively easy thing if we choose among all the variety Phalaenopsis (moth orchid). Note that it is better to buy an orchid flower that has, as an orchid can take up to five years to produce its first flower.

Light and temperature

As moth orchids are tropical, they do not like the cold, so here are hopelessly houseplants. The ideal temperature for most orchids is between 18 and 30 ° C. Orchids hate sudden changes in temperature and low temperatures cause the leaves turn yellow and eventually die. They do not like direct sunlight, in place of origin the treetops percolate light. Therefore, home is best that put next to a window but no direct sun. One trick to force your orchid bloom is slightly increasing its brightness and contrast in temperature between day and night. If usually located two meters from the window, Draw it a little more. And the nights change it to a cooler place.

Substrate and irrigation

These orchids have thick fleshy roots and habitat use them to cling to the bark of trees and absorb water and nutrients. The ideal container for Phalaenopsis should be transparent, since the roots also perform photosynthesis. Besides these, which in good hydration look green, when they lack water become whitish giving a valuable clue for irrigation. Regularly spray the leaves and aerial roots is also highly recommended. But avoid wetting the flowers. As a guide watered twice a week in summer and every 10 days in winter, it may be a good practice. Must take into account also feed the plant with fertilizers occasionally. For orchids growing on the bark of a tree it is advisable to use a fertilizer with a significantly higher percentage of nitrogen, necessary because bacteria decaying bark consume a lot of nitrogen. It is also important to remember orchid watering thoroughly before using a fertilizer. Finally we recommend transplanting orchids every 18 or 24 months, as a general rule to renew the substrate.