Orchids ennoble living rooms and conservatories with their opulent blossoms. In order for the queen of flowers to stage her glamorous performance, she should be planted perfectly. All important questions about location, substrate and planting technology receive a tried and tested answer here.

Orchids are very demanding when it comes to caring for them

At which location do orchids achieve the optimum?

If you take a look at the natural location in the tropical rainforest, it becomes clear which light and temperature conditions orchids want:

  • Bright location without blazing sun at noon in summertime
  • Normal room temperatures around 22-25 degrees Celsius without extreme fluctuations between day and night
  • A high humidity of 60 to 80 percent

Assign orchids a location by the window on the west or east side of the house and the noble plants will feel at home. Humidifiers and daily misting create a tropical climate.

What should the substrate be like?

In their habitat, orchids perch on the branches of treetops, where they hold on with their aerial roots. It is obvious that this extravagant growth habit calls for an unconventional substrate. This is how the perfect orchid soil is made up:

  • The main components are large, medium or small pieces of bark made from pine or pine wood
  • Sphagnum, peat, coconut fibers or nut shells act as organic components
  • Inorganic additives such as lava granules, (13.99€) seramis or pumice ensure good permeability

Since a balanced mix of components is important, beginners use ready-made orchid soil, such as Seramis special substrate for orchids.

What should be considered when planting orchids?

The aerial roots can only fulfill their important task if they are supplied with light. Therefore, choose a transparent culture pot. If you want to hide the root system from view, the flower pot should be at least twice as large and equipped with a pedestal for the culture pot. How to skillfully plant an orchid:

  • Use expanded clay (€19.73) to create a 2-3 cm high water-bearing drainage on the bottom of the pot
  • Fill in a layer of coarse orchid soil
  • Soak the aerial roots in lukewarm water for a few minutes to make them more pliable
  • Place in the middle of the culture pot with a rotating hand movement in the substrate

Please make sure that all aerial roots are in the pot. The root stem should be about a finger's width below the edge of the pot. Hold the orchid upright with one hand while you fill in the substrate in portions with the other hand. To spread the pieces of substrate evenly, occasionally knock the pot onto the tabletop. Finally, water the orchid and spray the leaves.

tips

Plant your orchids in Lechuza and avoid common care mistakes. The innovative system consists of a decorative cachepot, a plant liner and an irrigation set with a water level indicator. In an inorganic substrate, the orchids float above a water reservoir that supplies the roots with moisture thanks to capillary forces. Waterlogging and root rot are a thing of the past.

Category:

Indoor plants