The orchid has become a very fashionable plant in our homes. Let’s see how to care for its leaves.
A plant of tropical origin, the orchid does not always manage to grow well without knowing the right tricks.
Orchid: a trendy plant
More and more often, the orchid plant is the favorite gift to give on various occasions. Here, then, our homes are populated by these exotic and beautiful plants that, however, we often fail to take care of . Orchids, although they do not require much water, need some precautions to grow healthy and well. Their state of health can be known, in particular, through the appearance of the orchid leaves that should be shiny, bright green and fleshy.
How to have healthy and vigorous leaves
Orchid leaves, to be healthy and vigorous, must be cleaned with a certain periodicity. In fact, as with all surfaces, thick layers of dust can also form on its leaves . If dust were to remain sedimented for a long time on the orchid leaf, it could cause the formation of diseases, even not visible to the naked eye, but even attract lice. The most common pest for the orchid remains the cochineal. Diseases and pests could cause the plant to die quickly, without an apparent cause. To quickly and effectively clean the leaves of your orchid, there is a simple method: use wet wipes , the ones used to change babies’ diapers. Be careful to buy them with as few chemicals as possible, perfume and more. Disinfectant wipes used to clean bathroom parts, for example, are not recommended because they are not only too fragrant, but can be too rich in chemicals.
By using wipes, not only does the dust disappear from the leaves, but the leaves immediately appear brighter . Alternatively, you can use a solution consisting of water, a few drops of lemon and a little moisturising oil, such as almond oil. This solution will then have to be passed over the leaves with the help of a cloth. To keep them healthy, the leaves should be dusted and cleaned both above and below, at least once every two weeks. In addition to cleaning, another important trick to get many, green and fleshy leaves is to get them plenty of light for most of the day. We are not necessarily talking about direct light but indirect light, preferably protected by a curtain. Contrary to what one might believe, in fact, orchids take most of their light from the leaves and not from the roots. Be careful, though. Direct sun, especially summer sun, can cause the leaves to turn yellow. The optimal temperature, in fact, ranges between 18 and 29 degrees.
