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Care tips

Taking care of an orchid is not complicated. Water and light are the main focal points. With the right temperature and, if necessary, nutrition, it will be a plant to enjoy. Read our tips to take care of your exclusive orchid and have extra-long flowering pleasure.

Watering

Laat de Orchidee altijd goed uitlekken na de watergift | Inca Orchids

The method of watering is important for the life of the plant. It is important that the plant's roots do not remain in water. Always drain the growing pot after watering before putting it back in the ornamental pot. Water about once a week. This can be done by a bath, with the watering can or under the tap. Make sure you use lukewarm water. 

There are also differences between species. On average, the Zygopetalum needs just a little more water than the other species in our collection.

For orchid arrangements, it is important not to give too much water at once because you cannot let this pot drain. Here, the advice is to give small amounts of water a little more often.

Orchids naturally grow in a humid environment. A little moisture in between on the leaves and flowers with the plant sprayer is not necessary, but always a good idea if you have the time and opportunity to do so.

Nutrition

Bonte verzameling Cambria's in kleurrijke potten | Inca Orchids

An orchid does not need much nutrition. Immediately after purchase, feeding is not necessary because the plant was given this from our nursery. To keep the plant in optimal condition, it is smart to give a little orchid nutrition every month. In winter, it is wise to give half the normal amount of nutrition. You can find orchid food at a garden centre, among other places.

Light

Oncidium Katarina Zoch in het licht | Inca Orchids

Orchids can generally use light well as long as it does not become too intense. Place the orchid facing south in the window frame in autumn and winter, and facing west or north in spring and summer. Or choose a bright spot a little further into the room, for example on a table or cabinet. Direct sunlight should be avoided in spring and summer.

The kitchen is also a great place for orchids, but be careful with fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables give off the substance Ethylene. This can cause your orchid to age faster. Make sure your orchid does not stand in a draught or directly on a heater, an orchid does not like that either.

Temperature

Een tafel vol kleurrijke Miltoniopsis en andere exclusieve orchideeën

Many of our exclusive orchids can stand a slightly lower temperature. Did you know that at cooler temperatures they often bloom a little longer? We advise a temperature between 15 and 25°C for our orchids. There are differences per variety. Several varieties, including the Odontoglossum, or Cambria varieties, can even tolerate cooler temperatures just fine, as long as it is above 10°C and the plant is not in direct sun.  So you can even put them outside from about mid-May until September, provided they are in the shade.

Which soil

De grond en wortels van een gezonde Odontoglossum orchidee | Inca Orchids

The ideal exclusive orchid soil consists of a very airy sustainable mixture. We ourselves use a mix of coconut fibre, wood fibre, wood chips and moss. Never use 'normal potting soil', this is not airy enough and easily stays too wet. It is fine to leave an orchid in the same pot for several years, repotting is not necessary soon. However, after repotting a plant can get some extra air and the roots can find their way more easily. The best timing for repotting is with the formation of new shoots.

Leaf removal

Exclusieve orchideeën bladeren met gele vlekken of stippen | Inca Orchids

Each orchid in our collection has its own type of leaf. Smaller, wider, more pointed, lighter or darker. Sometimes you may see a yellow leaf or a dot or spot on the leaf. This is no big deal. A yellow leaf will naturally die and fall off or you can remove a yellow or ugly leaf yourself if you want. Cutting off all the leaves is not wise, the plant does need to retain leaves to develop. If really all the leaves turn yellow, it is a sign that the plant is not doing well and that your plant is stressed and not enjoying itself. The most common cause is that the plant is kept too wet and this causes the roots to rot and then yellow leaves and possibly even a bulb to rot.

Flowering time

Prachtig bloeiende Cambria met grote bloem

The flowering time of our exclusive orchids varies between six and ten weeks, and for some varieties it is even longer. Flowering time varies by species and conditions. For example, most orchids will flower longer in a cooler environment of 15-20 degrees than at 25 degrees. Also, your orchid will age faster in the middle of the sun in the window frame than in a bright location away from direct sun.

Did you know that odontoglossum species can also grow outdoors? This is possible at a day and night temperature of at least 10 degrees. Just make sure you do not put the plant in the sun. The shady side of your house or under a canopy is a good place. If the plant is placed directly outside, it is important to use a container that allows the water to drain out. 

Reflowering

Gezonde Cambria met een nieuwe scheut die groeit | Inca Orchids

To properly rebloom your plant, it is important to know a little more about the plant. Our exclusive orchids flower slightly differently from the well-known Phalaenopsis. The plant first creates a new shoot that starts to grow (vegetative phase). After this, the new shoot stops growing and the plant starts making branches (generative phase). To the eye, the plant will now go dormant; this can take up to two months. After this, it takes another two months or so for the flowering spike to mature and start flowering. Should you want to make your plant bloom again at home, go through the following steps:

  • After flowering, break/ cut away the spent spike(s). Just leave the plant in the room and keep watering and occasionally feeding it. 
  • Wait until the new shoots have developed and are at least 10 cm.
  • Now put the plant in a slightly cooler room with enough light and water slightly less, once every fortnight and half as much nutrition.
  • The flower spike will now emerge from the shoot and mature into a full-fledged branch with flowers.
  • Put the plant in a normal/warmer room and water weekly again and enjoy the flowers.

Repotting

Wortels van de orchidee die buiten de pot groeien | Inca Orchids

It is not necessary to repot your orchid. In principle, the plant can stay in the pot just fine. If the roots grow partly outside the pot, this is not a problem. Only if the roots have grown so much that the pot deforms or cracks, it is advisable to repot the plant in airy orchid soil.

For some varieties, it may help to refill the pot with orchid soil once a year, just after flowering. By refilling the pot, the orchid gets more air around the roots and often the orchid grows a little easier again. This is not necessary, but works positively for a Miltoniopsis, for example.