The orchid flower has become a very popular houseplant, and for good reason. With 25,000 species and over 100,000 additional hybrids to choose from, it would seem that there's an orchid selection for everyone. In the past, however, this wasn't the case. Orchids were only reserved for the rich because of their beauty. Now you can find any type of orchid that will conveniently suit your lifestyle and financial expenditures.

Among the different types, you will likely encounter some that require more care than others. Although, in most cases, caring for orchid plants demand the same amount of attention as your average houseplant. It is best to do up-front research on your desired orchid's needs before making the purchase. This way you can ensure that you are able to give it the proper care in order for it to bloom beautifully - just like they were ready to be purchased from the flower shop.

The phalaenopsis orchid is a very popular orchid that is commonly given as a gift. They are very simple to take care of and bloom for three months if given the proper care.

Make sure that you've given your orchid the proper amount of sunlight. Generally, low light conditions work best for the common phalaenopsis orchid plant. You should make sure that your orchid is receiving a lot of sunlight throughout the day. However, when doing this, it is suggested to place the orchid in a window that faces east so that you get the morning sunlight and avoid the afternoon heat. You do not want to let the orchid boil in the midday sunlight -- this is not good for them. If this is not suitable to your lifestyle, fluorescent lights make for a great substitute. Just be sure that you've placed the fluorescent light one foot above the orchid so you don't sear the flowers.

Orchids primarily fare best in conditions that don't exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit or drop below 55 degrees. This is mainly attributed to the fact that they originated in tropical regions where it rarely reaches cold temperatures. For this reason, you must make sure that your orchid plant is constantly moist. You do not want to overexpose the roots to an incessant flood of water (because it will drown the plant). Instead, place the orchid on a small water tray where it can freely retain the moisture it needs (but don't let the roots touch the tray). If they are exposed to extreme heat, their buds will not bloom or will even fall off. So, make sure that the plant remains in low light and does not get overwatered.

One last important suggestion is to fertilize your orchid plant before it enters its blooming phase. This will lengthen the amount of time it blooms, and will ensure a longer life for your orchid. Make note that once the plant has been fertilized and is blooming, you will not have to keep giving it fertilizer. Then as it blooms, be sure to prune the dead leaves to allow for new flowers to bloom later. If all these tips are carefully followed, you will find that your orchid will bloom beautifully for longer periods of time throughout its life.

About the Author
Want to know the best tips when caring for orchid plants? You can visit Orchid911.com to get more helpful tricks when buying, growing, and caring for orchids. Terri Andrews may be contacted at http://www.orchid911.com/. Click here to view more articles by Terri Andrews.