The orchid is one of the most popular plants in Germany. It's a very diverse and species-rich plant genus. Orchids also grow wild here in Germany. We'll tell you here how diverse this genus is and how best to care for and fertilize them!
Origin
Orchids are found all over the world. Even in our latitudes, there are many different species, such as the orchid, lady's slipper, and the helleborine. Our native species are not suitable as houseplants. Most houseplant orchids come from the tropics. You can buy the classic moth orchid in many colors almost everywhere. Orchids can look very different; there are some with enormous flowers, some with small, almost inconspicuous flowers, and some with large, colorful leaves. The entire family comprises approximately 1,000 genera with 25,000 species.
Where can you buy orchids?
You can find classic moth orchids in almost every hardware store or garden center. However, this represents only a very small part of the entire orchid world. If you're looking for a specific species, you should contact a specialist retailer. You can also order a wide selection of orchids online.
Location and soil - When and how often to repot?
Orchid care can vary from species to species, as some are easier to care for than others. All orchids don't require soil, but rather a special orchid substrate, and prefer a location with plenty of sunlight, but not direct sunlight. Since they are epiphytes, they only need a branch or a substrate made of wood pieces that can retain some moisture. There are also species that can grow hydroponically, such as the Vanda species.
In addition to special soil, usually made from bark mulch, orchids also need a translucent inner pot, as their roots are involved in photosynthesis. The beginning of the growth phase in March is the ideal time for a new pot. To do this, carefully remove the old substrate from the aerial roots and trim off any damaged or rotten roots. Place the orchid in the new pot and fill the soil around the roots.
irrigation
The orchids we keep as houseplants often come from the tropics. There, the humidity is very high, from which orchids draw the water they need to grow. Most indoor spaces here have much drier air. So what can you do? You can regularly place your plants in a water bath. If they're placed on pieces of wood, these will absorb the water and slowly release it to the plant. An alternative is to regularly spray the leaves – rainwater is particularly effective here to prevent limescale deposits. The main thing is to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged, as this would cause them to rot and die. For some more specialized species, it's worth placing them in a greenhouse or terrarium to provide them with consistently high humidity.
Leaf care
Orchids usually have large leaves that quickly become dusty. Maintain these by wiping them with a cloth. You can also place your orchids in the shower every few months and give them a quick rinse. This also reduces the risk of aphid infestation, which orchids are particularly susceptible to.
flowers
With proper care, your orchid will bloom once a year. The flowers of many species last for several weeks before eventually dying. You should then cut back the faded shoots to avoid unnecessarily draining the plant's energy. Some species bloom only once, but then produce so-called offshoots (a clone, essentially), which can produce another flower. The flowers can also be fertilized, but this isn't worthwhile for seed propagation, because orchids produce offshoots themselves, and propagation from seed is very time-consuming.
Fertilizing orchids correctly
Fertilizing orchids is important to provide them with the nutrients they need to grow and bloom. Colorful Phalaenopsis bloom more profusely with regular fertilization. A suitable fertilizer is usually based on the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Just like any other houseplant, you should fertilize your orchids every two to four weeks.
To fertilize, water the orchid with the fertilizer mixture until the substrate is completely saturated. Then allow any excess water to drain away. Make sure no standing water remains in the orchid's saucer, as this can damage the roots.
What fertilizer do orchids need: liquid fertilizer, fertilizer sticks, special orchid fertilizer, or home remedies?
Fertilizer sticks are not suitable for orchids because they don't dissolve properly in the substrate. Therefore, liquid fertilizer is essential when fertilizing orchids. You can use a special orchid fertilizer or other organic or mineral NPK fertilizers. To do this, simply halve the recommended dosage of the standard liquid fertilizer, as orchids require fewer nutrients than foliage plants.
If you use a mineral fertilizer, it's important to rinse the orchids regularly to prevent salt deposits in the substrate. To do this, rinse the orchid under running water until the water runs clear.
Home remedies such as yeast and coffee grounds are suitable as homemade fertilizers - these can simply be added to the watering water.
If you want to provide your orchids with the right nutrients in an even more targeted manner, you can also fertilize according to the growth phase: a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for leaf growth and a phosphorus-rich fertilizer for flower formation.
The best fertilizers for orchids
FARBIO® Orchid Fertilizer is a high-quality liquid fertilizer specially developed for the needs of orchids. With a perfectly balanced blend of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, this orchid fertilizer makes orchid care easy!
Our FARBIO® Nitrogen Bio-Boost is a foliar fertilizer that supports healthy leaf development. It's easily mixed with water in a spray bottle, making it ideal for orchids! Simply spray the leaves and aerial roots of your orchids with it.
To avoid overfertilization, you should reduce the amount of fertilizer during the dormant period. With appropriate fertilization and care, your orchids can grow and bloom healthily and vigorously in the long term.
