Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: jamima on May 15, 2012, 13:33
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My step daughter
had me a Orchid delivered on saturday, don't know how to look after it as never had one before, and advice please .
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We get best results when watering once a week by diving the whole pot into water and let it soak for some seconds. We put our orchids in a half-shady position.
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If it one of the usual orchids sold in garden centres/supermarkets, phalaenopsis, they are easy. Just put give them a cup of water every week, and when it has drained through the pot, tip it away so it is never left wet. They like a lot of light but are better with a net curtain on a south facing window. There is a lot of talk about feeding etc, but we have some that have flowered well every year for years on neglect.
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keep it away from cold and draughts and in a light postion.
To water it collect rainwater and keep it some where warm so that it is not too cold when you water it once a week. Old pop bottle in the airing cupboard is ideal. Let it sit in the water for a few minutes then drain it so it doen't sit in water.
After it flowers get some orchid plant food and follow the instructions.
They come in special little capsules.
Then you have to wait for the next buds and flowers. Not sure how long that takes as I don't grow them. I only know all this 'cos my mum is an avid orchid collector.
Hope that helps :)