Orchids are one of the best known and most popular indoor plants in the world. However, the care and needs of this plant are a mystery to many people. In this case, we are going to tell you what are the white orchid care so that you can know what are the requirements that are needed so that these plants can grow in good conditions and help improve the home.
For this reason, we are going to tell you in this article what the main care for white orchids are, what their characteristics are and what requirements they need for optimal decoration.
Origin of orchids
Caring for white orchids doesn’t feel so complicated when we understand the origins of this plant. Tropical origin and epiphytic character (lives in the branches and trunk of the tree) It is used in very specific tropical conditions: high humidity, high temperature, many hours of light but no direct sunlight – in its natural environment it is filtered through the upper part of the tree The leaves – alternating between heavy rain and dry roots.
Remember that living in the trunk, its roots do not come into contact with the soil, which is the ingredient that keeps the roots moist for longer, in the case of orchids, once the typical intense rain has passed. In the tropics, the roots do not come into contact with water more than they can absorb from the ambient moisture. A review of its origins can give us an idea of why we see it fall when we treat it like any other indoor plant, the solution is simple, we just need it to feel at home.
White orchid care
How much light do they need?
We have previously explained that orchids have high light requirements, but this should not be direct, preferably diffuse.
- Yes we cant: If the plant does not receive enough light, you will notice it because its leaves turn black (in extreme cases they turn yellow and fall) and because it does not flower.
- If we cross the line: plants will dehydrate in direct light and there will be sunburn (dry-looking spots)
Orchid roots need light. A fairly common mistake in orchid care is to use a container that covers the roots with light. Remember, they live in trees and don’t get direct light, so they’ve developed a very clever way to make the most of all the light: they also photosynthesize in the roots. In its natural environment, the roots are not closed and compact, but spread over the entire surface of the bark.
That is why it is recommended that the container let light pass through, that is, that it be transparent. Especially if light is the limiting factor. In addition, a transparent container allows us to observe the state of the root in detail.
The ideal location for orchids is near a north-facing window or behind light-filtering curtains on an east, west, or south window.
How are white orchids watered?
Water, like light, is one of the most complex points in orchid care. But once we get used to it, it’s easy to keep them healthy. When an orchid is in its natural environment, it absorbs a lot of water during rains. However, when the rain stops, the plant does not receive more water than it captures in the rain (its roots act as small reservoirs of water) and environmental humidity. So, when we water too much or cannot guarantee good drainage, the roots rot.
Another very common problem with orchids is to water several times, but in moderation, so that we do not allow the roots absorb and retain the necessary moisture. The ideal for orchids is abundant and spaced watering, making sure to drain excess water between waterings.
The easiest way to achieve this effect is to submerge the pot (without wetting the top or the leaves) in a container with water for 10 minutes, then drain to remove excess water from the substrate. We can do this process once a week or when the roots begin to turn gray.
Some tips on watering white orchids:
- If we live in an area with very hard water, filtered water or rainwater is recommended.
- Never scoop out the center where the leaves meet, as it will stagnate and cause them to rot.
- If you have multiple orchid plants, water them separately and the disease can spread. Use water to irrigate other varieties of plants, do not waste it.
- You can pierce the pot with a small soldering iron or a hole punch so that the water evaporates more easily.
- It is better to water in the morning, as temperatures are cooler at night and evaporation takes longer.
How much ambient humidity do they need?
Environmental humidity is another important factor that we must consider, Phalaenopsis requires an environmental humidity of 50% to 80%. We can maintain this humidity in several ways:
- Spray the leaves in the usual way (don’t let the water reach the center of the leaves and don’t wet the flowers, they will last less)
- Place the pot on a layer of clay balls that retain moisture increases the humidity of the air around the pot as it evaporates.
- Place containers of water near the plants.
- Group your plants so we will create a microclimate with higher humidity
Maintenance and care of white orchids
The substrate in which orchids grow does not contain nutrients because it mimics their natural environment, which is the bark. For this reason, it is necessary to pay our orchids regularly. The most important nutrients for plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
Each of them has a different function, so depending on the stage of development in which our orchid is, you will need one more than another. This is a very basic concept that will make it easier for us to make the decision to buy fertilizer for any plant, so be careful.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about caring for white orchids.
