Do you ever wish you had an air for orchids? Air for orchids could be a life saver for your orchids if you are constantly bothered by insects and diseases. I know I certainly do because I have had many problems with my orchids in the past. If you have not had any problems with your orchids in the past, it is probably time to discover why and what makes your orchids susceptible to insects and disease.
First of all, orchids need a lot of sunlight. It is pretty much agreed that your orchid plant needs at least six hours of direct sunlight every single day. Your orchid should always be located where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight. This can only occur if your orchid is placed on a window sill, in the direct sunlight. You can get an idea of how much light your orchid needs in the garden by placing a green light directly above the orchid (you should be able to see the outline of the leaf) and wrapping a piece of paper around the glass before putting the plant in the hole.
Air for orchids should also be available at all times. An inexpensive air pump will easily move sufficient air into the greenhouse or nursery for your orchid plants. You should also have a wide pot to place your orchid in. Pots for tropical orchids need to be wider and deep while potted plants usually come in smaller pots. For example, a ten gallon pot should be appropriate for a four foot orchid. It is better to fill the pot completely with water so that air can freely flow through and circulate, otherwise the roots can dry up.
A problem that often occurs with orchids that are placed in their pots is that the leaves of the plant can dry out. The first sign that your orchid leaves are going to turn is when you first see them turn colors. Orchid leaves turn first toward the light, then toward the middle, then toward the back. The drying out of the leaf surface is also called cupping. The process of cupping can be very easy if you understand what is happening.
In the case of growing plants indoors, it is best to use a very light substrate. It is more difficult to provide nutrients and air to plants that are growing on a dark substrate, such as clay, paper, or straw. However, it is also not very natural for orchids to have abundant flowering and growing surfaces. Exotic plants that need a dark or a cool growing medium can be successfully grown on a half-log, quarter-log, or one-third log trays.
If you plan to use an espresso filter in your greenhouse for your orchid plants, you should not add water right after you add the seed. The espresso will seep into the substrate and start working its way out. It is a good idea to keep the water inside the filter for a day or two after you plant the orchid. This allows the water to work its way out. Do not over water the plants or you will risk the chance of the plant roots rotting from dehydration.
Air for orchids should be relatively constant. It is important that you keep the humidity level at around fifty percent. If the humidity is too low, or the leaves are drying out too much, there may be too much water left in the leaves to dry out as well. You can also measure the relative humidity of the air by placing a dehumidifier in the greenhouse. This can be powered by a normal home air conditioning system or by an electric bulb on the outside of the greenhouse.
Air for orchids does not have to be perfect. A small humidifier will work perfectly fine for most plants. If you are growing plants that do not like high humidity, a small bottle of distilled water or a misting bottle of water will be just fine. Just remember to use distilled water or moisture, never tap water, and mist the plants only with a damp cloth. Remember, plant roots can rot if they are exposed to a moist substrate for too long.