One of the most beautiful flowers, the orchid has survived all these years in a natural, harsh environment. They are found merrily swinging on top of the trees and on the slopes of green mountains. They thrive in the lap of nature, doing fine without the care of overzealous plant growers. Studies show that a number of orchids perish due to overwatering, low light and use of bad quality fertilizers. Adequate lighting is a must for a thriving orchid plant.

Growers and retailers take great care to make sure the flowers reach you in fresh condition, but some loss of moisture happens during their journey to your place. If maintained and looked after properly, your blooms will remain fresh for at least two fragrant weeks. Upon receiving the bouquet, cut half an inch of the stem from each stalk and keep them in warm water for around half an hour. Transfer them into a vase of water and keep it at a cool place. Do not place the vase in a room with central heating, lest your orchids wilt. Weed out any spoilt flowers or buds, and gently spray it with mists of water to preserve the freshness. While handling the flowers, make sure you don’t dust off the pollen from the flower. If you do, the flower will emit gas and fade quickly. Repotting your orchid will kill the soft roots of the plant, so keep it in its original pot. If you have pets at home keep them away, as the likelihood of their munching this delicious plant is high. Try to keep your pots in a humid environment. A good tip offered by experts is to set the pot on a tray filled with a mixture of gravel and water. This does wonders in increasing the level of humidity in the area surrounding the plant. Placing the orchids directly in the sunlight will do more harm than good. Water them twice a week, feed them on fertilizers once a week, and repot them once every two years.