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Most orchids like bright corners, but no direct sun. The more ambient light, the higher the chances of them blooming during the next active period. The ideal place is near a window.
2. Maintain Proper Substrate Humidity
Orchids are usually marketed with a pine bark substrate, as their roots need excellent drainage and minimal chance of waterlogging. They are parasitic plants of tropical forests that grow on trees and live off the ambient humidity. They need a lot of moisture but not a moist substrate.
During the winter they should be watered little, but if the weather is dry and we have the heating on, it should be done more frequently (never more than once a week).
Look at the container against the light, if the humidity of the substrate is still noticeable, it should not be watered. If, on the other hand, it is dry, we will add water, always distilled.
In very dry places it is advisable to put a humidifier, or spray water on the leaves of the orchid every day. It’s also good to avoid placing the plant in places that are too humid, such as crowded bathrooms.
3. Fertilize Frequently
The flowering of orchids requires a specific fertilizer for this type of plant, which we can find in specialized stores. Without fertilizer, flowering is unlikely. It is usually marketed in liquid form, to be added to irrigation water.
Orchids that come from greenhouses are already abundantly fertilized, but after a few months you have to start treating them with fertilizer as well.
4. Ensure Proper Temperature Contrast
To bloom, orchids need an excellent temperature contrast in the weeks leading up to the arrival of spring. Normally this contrast is around 10°C between the minimum of the night and the maximum of the day, always respecting the limits of 15°C and 30°C.
You can also move the plant from a warmer place to a cooler place within 24 hours to get the right temperature.
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