How to care for orchids purchased on the market?

Increasingly common in several supermarket chains across the country, it is quite easy to find a section dedicated specifically to the gardening area.

This is where you will find plants – like those tiny cacti and succulents – flowers, and even tools to help you take better care of your plants.

And it is exactly in this sector that they are, the big stars of today's text: orchids.

The truth is that it is very difficult for anyone who has the slightest affinity with plants to resist a beautiful orchid.

And the result is that if you don't have the willpower to resist, every time you go to the supermarket, there's a good chance you'll end up wanting to buy a new orchid.

But how do you care for orchids that you bought at the supermarket? Below, you will find tips that will help you with this task!

As soon as possible, remove your plastic packaging.

Have you arrived home with your new orchid? The first step should be to remove the plastic that is part of the flower's packaging.

As much as this type of material is beautiful and helps to make your orchid even more beautiful, it can be very harmful to the health of your flower.

Despite its harmless appearance, the packaging – which is most often made of plastic – can cause air circulation.

This can cause the substrate and roots of your orchid to heat up.

Furthermore, this type of situation contributes to and facilitates the creation of the perfect environment for the proliferation of mold and fungi on your flower.

So the rule is clear: if you get an orchid at home, take it out of its packaging. And the same goes for anyone who receives one. orchid as a gift.

Think about where you plan to place your orchid.

Once your new orchid is properly unpacked, a very important question is where you will place it and which room in your home it will be part of.

It is usually placed indoors, making any room even more beautiful. But you need to think carefully about where in your home it will be placed.

This is because external factors can pose a danger to the development of your orchid.

And that's what you should be careful about when choosing where it will be.

Care regarding light

Speaking of external threats, another point that you should pay close attention to and be careful about when integrating a new orchid into your home is in relation to luminosity.

Although it is already known to people who have had orchids for a longer time, this may be something that will take first-time plant parents by surprise.

Ideally, your orchid should be placed near a window, balcony or something similar. It is also important to note that you need to pay attention to the period in which the flower will be exposed to natural light.

Ideally, it should have contact with natural light in the morning or late afternoon.

It is not recommended that the orchid receive natural sunlight when the sun's rays are most intense – generally between 10 am and 4 pm.

Orchids thrive in less intense light. The morning and late afternoon offer this type of lighting.

To change or not to change the orchid's pot?

Now it's time to get into a little controversy involving orchids and their admirers: changing the pot.

While some owners of this type of flower argue that, to care for orchids purchased at the market, it is necessary to change the pot at the first opportunity, others have a different opinion on the subject.

This other side of the controversy argues that the orchid should remain in its original pot until the pot's substrate is beneficial to it.

If the plant's original substrate is healthy, they see no need to make this change.

Because, according to them, the process of changing the pot is not as simple as it seems. It changes the flower's routine, and it needs to go through a period of time until it "recovers" from this change.

Know how to water your orchid

And last but not least: understand the process of watering your orchid. In our country's climate, most orchids need to be watered once every two days on average.

But you need to learn to observe and understand its needs. To do this, observe the soil. If it – and the roots – look dry, it’s time to water. If not, wait for the soil to dry out a little more before watering again.

How to care for orchids in plastic pots?

When it comes to first-time “plant parents”, anything and everything raises doubts.

And a very common question is about how to care for orchids in a plastic pot, one of the most common types of containers when it comes to plants.

After purchasing your orchid, you can even keep it in the same pot it came in. But it is recommended to follow a few steps.

Among them, the main one is to make some holes – not too big, about 1cm each, more or less.

This way, you will allow your orchid's roots to breathe better.

Additionally, these holes will prevent moisture from accumulating inside the pot. For those who are not yet familiar with the subject, this moisture can often harm the growth of these plants.

How to keep an orchid at home?

If you know someone who has an orchid at home, you should know that the flower requires certain care in order to bloom well and healthily.

The orchid is a plant that loves the sun, but it still requires certain care.

To keep an orchid in each room, the ideal is to have a good amount of light.

And as they tend to prefer the morning sun, the ideal is to use the sun at that time.

In the afternoon, the best thing to do is opt for indirect light – especially on hotter days.

Also, choose a place with space where your orchid can grow more calmly and without problems.

What do you put in an orchid pot?

The interior of the pot is also something that can generate a lot of doubt for those who want to grow orchids at home.

After all, what do you put in an orchid vase?

When thinking about this, you need to keep two basic things in mind: the fertilization and the substrate.

Regarding fertilizer, it is best to observe when your plant is feeling a little sad. At these times, you can use different types of fertilizers – organic or chemical – and fertilize them regularly.

And regarding substrates, there is no shortage of options to choose from. The ideal substrate allows your plant's roots to remain aerated for longer, in addition to retaining the right amount of moisture in the roots. Therefore, research the ideal substrate for your type of pot/orchid.

What is the best place to leave orchids?

Another issue that generates a lot of doubt when caring for orchids at home is where to leave the flower so that it can grow beautifully and peacefully, without any type of risk.

When choosing the ideal location, a good option is to place it near a window, for example. This location allows your orchid to get morning/afternoon sun.

You just need to be careful with the temperature, as in cases where the sun is very strong, your plant runs the risk of suffering from burns on the flower or leaves.

Therefore, indirect light is a resource that should be used.

It's also a good idea to leave a small window open to allow some air to come in. But avoid places with a lot of wind or excessive humidity, as these factors can have a negative impact on the plant's well-being.

How to save a wilted orchid?

You don't have to be a number 1 fan of the plant world to feel sad when you see an orchid – or any other type of plant – wither.

After all, in most cases, this means that the plant is about to die. But is this really a path of no return for plants or is it possible to save a wilted orchid?

Orchids – and many other plants – tend to wilt due to factors such as too much or too little water. That's why it's important to pay attention to this, to make sure you're not watering them too much or too little.

Additionally, one measure that can help save your wilted orchid is to substrate change of your pot and the use of the right fertilizers to enhance the health and growth of your orchid.

And to find the right type of fertilizer for your orchid, you can look in gardening supply stores or even florists.

With dedication and the right tools, you will certainly find the best way to save your orchid/orchids.

How to save an orchid with rotten roots?

Speaking of how to save orchids, another problem that can affect this type of flower is root rot.

What about in these cases? Is it possible to save orchids with rotten roots? If so, what steps are necessary to do so?

In these cases, root rot can occur either due to poor cultivation or due to the presence of diseases in the plant.

And when we talk about diseases, the main cause of this root rot is black rot, a disease that can be caused by both fungi and bacteria.

The disease ended up getting this name because of the symptoms, which are the characteristic black spots on the leaves of affected plants.

And as this disease is very difficult to identify – since when the spots are visible, it is a sign that the disease is already at a very advanced stage – saving the plants in these situations is very difficult.

But following some very important tips can help save your orchid from the presence of these rotten roots.

Some of them are:

– Do not leave the substrate of your plant soaked: always avoid leaving your orchid's substrate soaked overnight – since there is no light during this period. Therefore, always water your plants in the morning.

– Using charcoal as a substrate: one way to try to save your orchid is to choose charcoal as a substrate. Due to its regenerative and bactericidal properties, this is a good option for those who want to try to save their plant. To do this, just place it at the bottom of your orchid’s pot.

– And, of course, invest in fertilizers! A well-fertilized plant is a plant with a much greater chance of growing healthily and free from external threats.

Conclusion

See how there aren't many secrets when it comes to caring for orchids purchased at the market?

The most important thing is to know how to give them the attention they need and offer the necessary conditions so they can live well and for longer!

After learning more about these tips, I'm sure that the next time you go to the market, you'll want to come back with an orchid!

Did you like this content? Then I think you will also enjoy reading How to care for your garden in autumn?

How to care for orchids purchased on the market?