The charm of orchids and the care they entail
Orchids have earned a place in Dominican homes , becoming a must-have for home and business decor . Their beautiful, long-lasting flowers, while also enhancing the overall elegance of the plant, are part of the reason they have become a favorite.
In interior design in general, they have become popular because they provide a modern and elegant touch, especially in minimalist and luxury spaces, Marileidy de la Cruz, an expert at Jardín Constanza, told Diario Libre during a workshop on "Assembling and caring for orchids ."
Although traditionally the most common orchids in the country are Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium , in recent years Vanda and Cattleya have gained significant ground. Although orchids are a large family that includes more than 25,000 natural species and over 100,000 hybrids ,
Although these plants are easy to care for, the main cause of their death - which is the biggest complaint - is that their owners are often unaware of their needs .
A Phalaenopsis is not the same as a Dendrobium ; the former requires more humidity and less sunlight , like other types of substrate.
“A big mistake people make when purchasing or caring for a Phalaenopsis is placing it in a dark corner and forgetting that it needs indirect sunlight and water when the substrate dries out,” says De la Cruz.
She also assured that plants, regardless of the type, can absorb bad energy to the point of causing them to wither, which is an ideology that is very in tune with the philosophy of Ancient China, Feng Shui , which attributes power to plants in energy management.
True or not, it must be taken into account that even the best planter can lose a cactus, because all living beings are born under the threat of extinction.
Zoilo Richardson, head of Orchids at the National Botanical Garden , tells us what to consider when purchasing an orchid :
When you go to choose one because you like it, but you don't know anything about it, don't forget to ask at the garden center or the place where you bought it what type of orchid it is and the care it requires, such as sun exposure and watering.
If you care for your plant contrary to what it needs, it will either never flower or die; in fact, this is one of the main reasons why they don't survive.
Phalaenopsis are characterized by their wide, fleshy, and somewhat rounded leaves; they prefer shade. Dendrobiums, on the other hand, have oval, somewhat pointed, and very firm leaves and prefer full sun.
“I recommend dendrobiums because they bloom almost all year round (8 or 9 months with flowers), are easy to maintain, and are more economical,” advises Zoilo Richardson.
Water them properlyIf your specimen is a sun plant (dendrobium), it will require water three times a week if you have it indoors , and daily if it is outdoors.
If, on the other hand, it needs indirect light ( phalaenopsis ), once a week will be enough, but be careful! Before doing so, insert a finger between its roots. If they feel wet, do not water it or you will run the risk of it starting to rot.
Sowing timeIf you have a sun-loving orchid , it's best to place it between stones to allow for drainage. If it's shaded, it's best to plant it in a coconut shell or moss, which retains moisture for longer.
Feed them properlyChances are, when you get it, it will be in bloom, and it will be a beautiful sight that will last between one and two months.
To ensure that you enjoy this experience again, you'll need to feed it well, applying a maintenance foliar fertilizer (20-18-20) for about five weeks, followed by a phosphorus-based flowering fertilizer (15-30-15). This applies to both types.
Show your affectionThere's an increasing number of therapies that recommend interacting with nature ; it's good for you, and in this case, for the plant too. Talk to it, ask it why it's not blooming, agree to relocate it, and you'll see results in your efforts.
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