Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get into orchids for a while now. I finally took the plunge and decided to go with purple orchids. They’re just so beautiful, you know?
Getting Started
First off, I went to this local nursery – a real mom-and-pop place, super cute. They had a whole bunch of orchids, but I zeroed in on the purple ones. Picked out a couple that looked healthy, with nice green leaves and no weird spots. I had to carry them carefully to my home so that they will not get damaged. Then, I also grabbed some orchid potting mix. It’s not regular soil, it’s more like bark and stuff, ’cause orchids need good drainage.
Setting Up
When I got home, I found a good spot for them. Orchids like bright light, but not direct sun, so I put them near a window that gets a lot of light, but not right in the sunbeams. I got these pots, they have holes in the sides for extra airflow which is good for orchids I think. Repotting them was a little nerve-wracking, but I just gently took them out of their old pots and put them in the new ones with the fresh potting mix.
The Watering Routine
Now, here’s the thing about watering orchids – you can’t just water them like regular plants. I learned that you’re supposed to let them dry out between waterings. So, I’ve been watering them maybe once a week, sometimes less. I just pour water through the potting mix and let it drain out the bottom. And if any water collects in the little tray underneath, I dump it out so they’re not sitting in water.
Keeping an Eye on Them
- Light: Like I said, they need bright, indirect light. I’ve been moving them around a little to find the perfect spot.
- Humidity: Orchids like humidity. My house is kinda dry, so I’ve been misting them with a spray bottle every few days.
- Temperature: They like it warm, but not too hot. Room temperature seems to be working fine.
- Food: I haven’t started fertilizing them yet, but I got some orchid fertilizer. I’ll probably start using that soon.
Seeing Results
It’s been a few weeks now, and they seem to be doing okay! One of them even has a new flower bud. It’s pretty exciting to see it growing. I’m just trying to be patient and not over-fuss with them. You know, just let them do their thing.
Honestly, growing these purple orchids has been a bit of a learning curve, but it’s also been really rewarding. There’s just something so satisfying about taking care of a plant and seeing it thrive. Plus, they make my living room look so much nicer! I’m definitely going to keep at it and hopefully get even more beautiful blooms in the future.
