5 plants that you will (almost) not need to water this summer and 9 smart tips for pampering an orchid
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Have you just experienced yet another plant death? Maybe it's time to decorate your home with super easy-care green plants. Here are 5 of them, which barely need water and will survive all your clumsiness and forgetfulness.
1. La Sansevieria
Of African origin, Sansevieria, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is a heat-resistant houseplant.
The real plus of this plant? It is particularly afraid of over-watering. This reassures all those who want a green interior with a minimum of effort.
2. Aloe Vera
Nicknamed the "plant of miracles", Aloe Vera has many beauty virtues: it heals skin wounds, relieves itching, moisturizes dry skin and much more.
Aloe Vera is resistant to temperatures of up to 40 degrees.
In summer, when the soil becomes very dry, you will need to water it once a week.
In winter, twice a month will suffice.
3. Morgane's stonecrop
The Morgana Spur is a very singular succulent plant thanks to its leaves which form small candy-shaped leaves.
This drooping plant will be superb when placed in a macramé suspension or in an XXL vase.
Voluminous (its stems can reach a metre in length), light loving and requiring little watering, the Morgana Spur will become the fetish plant of your home.
4. The Beaucarnea
Beaucarnea is also known as "elephant's foot".
This totem plant loves sunny places, so be sure to choose the brightest room in your home.
And because Beaucarnea is a semi-desert plant, you will only need to water it every two to three weeks during the warm months, or every three to four weeks in winter.
The lack of water does not scare it away!
5. The cactus
A must-have and trendy, the cactus is the plant you need if you don't have a green thumb.
It wakes up the decoration and does not require any care.
The cactus likes light and heat and is perfectly resistant to the sun's rays.
All you need to do is water it very little from time to time. A must-have!
9 smart tips for pampering an orchid
You've just bought yourself a beautiful white orchid and you want to pamper it? You've come to the right place.
Contrary to popular belief, this tropical plant, with its fantastically shaped flowers, is quite hardy and resistant.
To take good care of an orchid, all you need to do is give it the right amount of light and moisture.
Demonstration in 9 tips.
1. Make the right choice
There are several tens of thousands of species of orchids of very different shapes and colours.
You will find pink orchids, white orchids, Phalaenopsis orchids and oncidium orchids.
Choose the easiest to maintain to start with, those that make do with the conditions of a house or apartment: a temperature without too much difference between day and night, moderate hygrometry and average brightness.
The most essential are the Phalaenopsis, with their long flowering period of several months and their easy reflorescence.
Most other species need large temperature differences between day and night.
About orchids
- Well cared for, a Phalaenopsis can live 20 years!
- Vanilla is a vine orchid; you can grow it along a stake. But don't expect any pods, because you need a tropical bee to pollinate the flower.
2. Where to install your orchid?
The ideal is a relatively humid place (the bathroom, for example), with lots of light, but never direct sunlight.
Orchids also need a lot of ventilation. A confined bathroom, without light or ventilation, will not work at all.
It is also possible to put your orchid on a balcony, as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight and the temperature does not drop below 8°C. The ideal temperature is between 17 and 23°C.
3. How to water an orchid?
Maintenance is simple: just keep the rootball from drying out.
Above all, don't water your plants too much: once every ten days is enough.
Excessive watering can lead to fungus or rot on the roots. If your orchid is in a pot holder, make sure that no standing water remains in the pot to allow the plant to dry out between waterings.
Choose a mist with non-calcareous water such as rainwater or spring water for watering. Finally, do not wet the heart of the leaves, otherwise there is a risk of rotting.
4. The art drenching
Once a week, you should plant your orchids.
Fill a basin with water so that the base of the plant is completely submerged.
Leave it for a few minutes, until the air bubbles no longer rise to the surface.
Then let the root ball drain.
This will moisten the roots.
5. What to give to your orchid to boost iot?
Do not use too much fertilizer.
Only once a month, add a little "orchid" specific fertilizer, to be ordered here.
Finally, pay attention to the harmful insects that can colonize the plant: aphids, mites, scale insects.
To get rid of them, there are insecticides "for orchids".
Funny tip: Orchids like tannins. Also, you can add a cork from a red wine bottle, cut into small pieces, to the soil.
6. How about repotting an orchid?
Usually one repotting every two years is sufficient.
It is not necessary to have a very deep pot.
Above all, do not repot your orchid in soil or compost.
The roots of the orchid need to be aerated and the potting mix should be light.
Use a "special orchid" compost, found in garden centres, made of polystyrene and pine bark.
Or opt for Chilean sphagnum moss, alone or mixed with gravel.
7. Your orchid is chewing, what to do?
A healthy orchid has glossy leaves.
At the first sign of ill health, immediately find another place for your orchid.
If you use gravel from your local garden or river, don't forget to disinfect them with a bleach/water mixture and rinse them well.
8. Let her rest!
If your orchid remains healthy but without flowers for several months, place your plant in a cool room at about 15°C for 2 or 3 weeks.
And water it less.
That way you should see it bloom again.
9. The ideal fit
When the flowers are wilted, you can cut off the stem end above an eye.
But otherwise, it is best not to cut the stems unless they are dry, as they will periodically bloom again.
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