The amount of water an orchid requires varies among the different species. It is important therefore, to research your particular plant to determine just how much water it needs to thrive.  And it is also very helpful to understand orchids in general and their origins. And like Goldilocks, don’t go to extremes; not too much; not too little. Just right!

Orchid plants are naturally found in tropical areas around the globe. These tropical areas generally receive a tremendous amount of rain.  It can also be very humid in an orchid’s native habitats.  Actually, the ideal humidity level for most orchid plants is between 75% and 80%.

Considering how uncomfortable human beings would be in a room that is kept at 80% humidity, you need to employ other tactics to keep your orchids happy and healthy.  One way to provide a high humidity for your orchids without sweltering yourself is to water your orchids so that they have a constant supply.

Three simple steps to follow

First, place your orchid in a deep saucer containing some pebbles.  Then set your orchid pot on top of the pebbles; then water the pebbles.  Keep the water level below the bottom of the pot. Do not allow the water to touch the orchid pot (so as not to rot the roots).  This establishes an artificial high-humidity climate around your orchids.

Second, make sure you don’t over water your orchids.  Some orchid enthusiasts assume that when the potting material (generally bark) looks dry, the plant needs to be watered. Not so; not when it comes to orchids.  Although the potting bark may appear dry, the bark itself holds moisture.

Third, you’ll soon discover that you really only have to water your orchid plant once a week or once every other week. And do it sparingly.  The best thing you can do is to let the potting bark dry out completely in between watering orchids you grow in your home.

Remember: some species of orchids grow on the trunks and branches of trees. So it is very normal for their roots to dry out before they receive water again.

Also consider that your orchids need to be fed (or fertilized) sparingly as well.  Create a good routine for watering and fertilizing orchids and you will build yourself a guarantee that you will enjoy these exotic plants for a long time.

Establish an environment for your orchids in which they can thrive. This includes giving them proper care: the right amount of potting bark; the proper amount of light; the right amount of water; and regular feeding with the right fertilizer. By understanding how to care for your orchids properly, you will find they are not difficult to grow. In fact they’re just about as easy to grow and care for as they are to enjoy.

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About the Author:
Patianna is a successful entrepreneur with a passion for orchids. An orchid enthusiast for much of her adult life, her goal is to erase the mythological barriers that would hold you back from growing and enjoying orchids in your home or garden because you may think caring for these beautiful plants is too difficult.
 
Get more great information on watering orchids visit Growing Orchids 1-2-3 and be sure to check out the expert orchid care ebook, “Growing Orchids – Easy as 1-2-3.”
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It’s that time of year when gardeners are looking ahead to spring and beginning to plan their summer gardens.  Those of us who like to start our plants early from seed are probably preparing our indoor greenhouses to do so.  If you are new to gardening or are hoping to start a garden this year, now is the time to purchase an indoor greenhouse kit.  In this article, we’ll explain how to get it set up and prepared for growing your seedlings.

First you’ll need to choose an appropriate location for your indoor greenhouse.  The best possible place would be in front of a sunny, south facing window or patio door.  You’ll also need to consider the ambient room temperature and humidity.  The ideal levels will vary depending on the types of seeds you’re growing, but generally speaking, most seeds will germinate best at temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.

If you don’t have the perfect place in your home that meets all these conditions, don’t worry.  Most of us don’t!  With a few pieces of equipment, it’s easy to artificially create the right conditions.  To make up for a lack of sunlight, you’ll need grow lights.  Grow lights are a special type of full spectrum light bulb that replicate natural sunlight.  The bulbs can be purchased at most hardware stores and will fit into standard fluorescent tube light fixtures.  To make up for chilly temperatures, you can also add a heat lamp to your indoor greenhouse.  Take care when positioning the heat lamp, making sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  It’s important not to place it near anything that could be flammable.  Lastly, if your home’s air is rather dry, as is common in the winter, a simple humidifier will solve this problem.  Look for a humidifier with a humidity gauge on it, allowing you to set the unit to maintain a specific humidity level of your choosing.  The humidifier will then it will automatically turn on and shut off as needed to maintain that level.  Anytime you’re using electronic devices, always remember to take caution with the cords.  You don’t want to string a cord across a traffic path and inadvertently create a tripping hazard.

Once your indoor greenhouse is set up in a good location, it’s time to begin planting your seeds.  You’ll probably want to begin by taking an inventory of supplies, and you may need to make a shopping trip to your local garden center to pick up anything that you don’t have.  A bag of good seed-starting soil mixture is a must-have item, as are some small peat pots or other containers for planting.  One option is to purchase plastic trays from your garden center that feature small individual cells for starting seeds.  These plastic trays are usually economical enough that you can recycle them at the end of the year and buy new ones next year.  An even less expensive option is to wash and save yogurt containers, drill holes in the bottoms, and use those for planting seeds.  Last but not least, you’ll also need to have a spray water bottle for keeping the soil moist.  You won’t want to use a watering can in the beginning, because the flow of water will be strong enough to wash away the seeds and young seedlings.  A spray bottle will allow you to lightly mist the soil, keeping it moist without damaging the fragile young plants.

Growing plants from seed is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby.  Not only does it give you something fun to do inside during the last few months of winter, but it also saves a lot of money as opposed to buying young plants at the nursery in the spring.  If you’ve never tried indoor greenhouse gardening before, go out and buy a few supplies and get started today!

Home Products ‘N’ More offers free shipping on all indoor greenhouses and other home greenhouse kits. Visit us today at http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/Mini_Greenhouses_s/414.htm
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