To avoid encountering a sick exotic orchid at home, we must understand how to grow them and their growing season and feed them naturally.

Orchids are very exotic plants with beautiful flowers , grown all over the world. The most important thing when growing orchids is to know the habitat in which the plant grows to simulate these conditions as much as possible.

Orchids

Growth cycles are different for each species. The growing season is nothing more than the time in which the plant forms new shoots, roots and other tubers . It’s easy to tell because the tips of the roots become lighter.

Orchids can live in a wide variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests thousands of meters above sea level to very dry climates in arid regions.

Orchids can be wild or hybrid. In general, wild orchids can be grown outdoors as long as weather conditions are suitable, while hybrids almost always require greenhouses.

Growth stage

Growth stage

.

One of the most important things to know when growing orchids is the growth cycle . The cycles are different for each species. The growth period is nothing more than the time in which the plant produces new shoots, roots and pseudobulbs. It’s easy to tell because the tips of the roots become lighter.

During this time it is very important to water continuously because the plant’s metabolism accelerates. For many species, this cycle begins in spring.

Alternating with the growth phases, there are rest phases during which the plant does not seem to develop. During this time, many plants may also lose their leaves.

These periods are very difficult to predict, since they can be different for many species. We must keep in mind that we cannot grow all orchids , and we must choose them according to our conditions.

Sick orchid, what to do

Orchids are often infested by insects , mainly coccidia, which appear as black spots on leaves and bulbs. They are very easy to remove as they are immobile and can be removed mechanically.

Other animals that can damage our orchids are slugs , which can cause various damages in a short time.

There are some tricks such as putting pieces of eggshell inside the jars, traps made with beer or simply applying chemical pesticides, which are usually very effective.

Among the do-it-yourself methods to feed and have a strong and vigorous plant is sugar, which together with honey serves as a natural invigorating syrup for our sick orchid .

To make it, just put two tablespoons of sugar and one of honey in a small container, to which we will add hot water to mix the two ingredients. Once the juice of half a lemon has been added, we wet a clean cloth in the mixture and then apply it to the leaves.

The criteria that we must take into account to know if our crop has been successful are, first of all, that the roots are healthy , that the leaves have the appropriate texture and consistency, and the size of the new shoots. The shoots must become increasingly robust.