Caring for orchids have you scared? OK – maybe scared is a bit much. But for those of you that are like me, and truly love your orchids – you want to make sure you do everything right. So, here are some tips to help you get off to a good start. First off – timing matters when learning to care for orchids. Make sure you water your orchid in the morning and remember – keep the leaves dry. Else you may find crown rot and that is not a good way to take care of orchids.

Believe it or not – rainwater is the optimal choice for taking care of orchids. For some, this may be more work than they want to put into caring for orchids. If that is the case – try and get well water. It is a close second to rainwater. Last, but not least – if other sources aren’t available, you can take good care of your orchids by using bottled water.

Ahh, the joy of orchid gardening. It is a pastime that has been around for ages. With such beauty and variety in the orchids, the options for gardening are endless. With so many different types of orchids (28,000 + the hybrids), it is hard to find a guide that can answer everything. The basics below are just that – the basics and they should hold true for any species.

Orchid Gardening Tip #1 – Take Care

One thing that you must understand is that while orchid gardening is not difficult, it must be undertaken with great care. This is why many people who are just getting started with orchid gardening find that while they are able to keep their orchids alive, they are unable to get them to bloom. Herein lies the reason why you should choose an easy type of orchid.

Orchid Gardening Tip #2 – Selection Is Key

Choosing the correct orchid is key to a rewarding experience. If you are just getting into orchid gardening – you really want to start out with a positive experience. The Cymbidum is a great orchid to start with. It is easier than most in terms of care and getting it to bloom. So, choose wisely.

To start, you need to get a new pot for your plant. You need to prepare this pot properly, or your time spent repotting orchids will be a waste! If you are recycling an old or used pot, soak it in a little bleach and water mixture. Once it is thoroughly soaked, rinse it and give it a efw days to dry out. You want it totally dry before you proceed. If the pot is brand new, just soak it in water for a little while.

You aren’t quite done with the pot yet. You need to add some plastic foam peanuts or small pebbles at the bottom of the planter. This makes sure your newly repotted orchid gets enough moisture.

Once you are ready, unpot the orchid by turning the plant upside down and gently thumping the sides of the pot. It is common for the roots to stick to the pot in places, but you can use a butter knife to get them loose. Try to be careful, but it is not a huge deal if you accidentally damage the roots a little.