Orchids were once considered a rare and exotic flower due to their challenging cultivation, but have since become increasingly accessible to the average British consumer.
Due to their exotic origins, however, their needs must be met for successful growth.
Experts have warned orchid growers about one lighting mistake to avoid at all costs.
To prevent causing irreversible damage to leaves, the plants should never be exposed to direct sunlight, warned MissOrchidGirl on her YouTube channel.
Orchids need bright shade to do well
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“Don’t place orchids in direct sunlight,” the content creator explained. “Orchids in general have pretty fragile leaves.
“When it comes to direct sun and overheating, some can handle it better than others, but in many cases, direct sun exposure will burn leaves in a few hours.
“Whatever orchid you may have, place it in bright shade until you figure out how much direct sun your orchid needs if it needs it at all.”
She noted that watering practices also require careful consideration, as the wrong methods can kill the plant.
The plant expert explained that when liquid ends up in the wrong place, this sets the stage for rotting.
“Water left standing in the crown and in between the leaves causes rotting,” she explained.
“This destroys the orchid’s tissue, and if not treated, it can kill the orchid.
“If you’re not experienced with orchids, you’ll probably have a hard time treating your orchid. Crown rot is a major killer of orchids.”
It’s important to note that there are all sorts of claims supporting the use of kitchen ingredients to promote orchid growth, but some of these can do more harm than good.
The YouTube channel Happiness Garden, for instance, reports that a garlic-based tonic solution acts both as a root stimulant and organic fertiliser.
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MissOrchidGirl has debunked this hack, however, claiming that they have no scientific backing.
When looking for a good fertiliser, it’s important to choose one with a “complete” nutritional profile, she said.
Look for one that has all the important nutrients that we know plants need, from the macro to the micro-nutrients.
Generally, most orchid growers recommend using formula fertiliser ratios like 20-20-20.
