Orchid Plant Guide

The Easiest Orchid To Grow!


A reputation of being a high-maintenance plant precedes the orchid. For successful cultivation, one must meet requirements for light, temperature, and humidity. This may sound like a lot, but you will be reward with wonderous flowers.

Tropical orchids usually demand a medium to strong light, which one can easily provide by placing them in a southern exposure window during the winter and an east-facing window for the other three seasons. The temperature should always be kept at 63-65°F during the night and 75-90°F during the day.

Orchid care gets a little tricky when it comes to watering. You must water orchids only when they're approaching dryness. Water should be applied very heavily and more importantly, evenly from the top of the container. It would be the best to water in the morning so that the foliage has time to dry during the day. You keep watering the orchid until the water flows freely through all drainage holes.

Formulated bark mixes are the best for cultivating orchids.

Humidity trays are also essential for the proper cultivation of orchids, which grow naturally in rain forests and jungles, where the humidity level is fairly high. Always remember to fill the plants' saucers with gravel, or place pots on a gravel-filled tray to fulfill aeration and drainage needs. Water the gravel to supply sufficient humidity to plants, but don't allow pots to sit in stagnant water.

The phalaenopsis species of orchids are among the easiest orchids to cultivate. A survey conducted by the American Orchid Society concluded that the phalaenopsis orchid was America's favorite orchid. These plants adapt well to the environment of the home or office right from the time that the first flower bud opens, the sprays will always remain in bloom for the next 2 to 3 months.

The Odontoglossum or the Oncidium alliance is an orchid grower's favorite due to their striking sprays of long-lasting flowers. These plants don't require much attention and may be easily grown in the home or on a sheltered patio.

There is no one way to say which orchid is the easiest to grow. It depends on your situation. Your first questions should be, "Will this be an indoor or outdoor orchid?", and "Do I have the time to commit to an orchid?"

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