Orchid Care

Water Plants with the Proper Frequency

Orchids only need to be watered once a week to once every ten days. To thoroughly water the orchid, take your orchids to the sink and let the water flood the pot. The water will run out through the mix. Leave it sit for a few minutes, then go back and flood the pot again. Leave it for a few more minutes then return it to its original spot. Don’t water too frequently.

Maintain Proper Temperature and Light Exposure

Be sure to regulate the temperature for your orchids, as most need an average temperature of between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Boost the temperature for a while everyday if your home is kept at a constant 60 to 65 degrees, as this increase in warmth will help them thrive.

Orchids need a lot of light, typically 12 to 14 hours a day, all year round. Be sure to move your plants around so that they receive optimal sun exposure throughout the day. 

Tips for winter orchid care: Use artificial light lamps to supplement during the shorter days of winter. Reduce the watering to once a month but mist the plant to keep up the humidity. Don’t fertilize in the winter.

Maintain Correct Moisture Levels

Most orchid varieties are grown in the tropics so they need high humidity, usually between 60 and 80%. While humidity during the winter can hover around 30%, you should use a humidifier. You can also keep your orchids grouped together on a dry well. To make a dry well, place pebbles or plastic lattice into a tray then add water to just below the top of the pebbles or lattice. Put your orchids on top of the lattice or pebbles, making sure to check the water level periodically.

Fertilize Appropriately

There are many fertilizers made specifically for orchids, including pellets and liquids. Liquids are typically added to your orchids once a month. Pellets can be sprinkled around your plants as is necessary, but never on dry soil. You can also add a blossom booster containing phosphorous to promote flowering such as Campbell Orchid Special Fertilizer A.

Growing Materials

Orchard care is not complete without proper growing material. Some orchids grow in soil, like most plants, but most tropical varieties grow in the air. Their roots are covered in a layer of spongy cells that absorb water. They also protect the roots from too much moisture loss and heat. Most orchids grown in the home can be grown in coconut fiber, a variety of mosses, fir bark, or cork pieces, all of which provide proper drainage for your orchids. 

Potting and Re-potting Your Orchids

Orchids prefer a small pot and plastic is the best kind to use because it allows the roots to release easier for re-potting. You should fill the bottom of the pot with Styrofoam peanuts and then while holding the orchid above the pot, fill with the growing materials you have chosen. You should not re-pot your orchids until it is necessary. You’ll know it’s time if the roots are growing out of the pot or if the material has broken down, preventing aeration and proper water drainage. 

Pruning Orchids

Peak blooming for orchids usually occurs in late winter and the blooms will last anywhere from four to twelve weeks, depending on the variety. When the bloom loses its color, cut it off about a half inch above where the shoot emerges from the foliage. If there is any fungus, cut at least a half inch below the infected spots. Remove any additional dead parts of the plant. Use sterile tools when cutting the plant and avoid cutting through a leaf as you can kill part of the plant. 

Orchid Care After Flowering

After the blooms have faded you have three options for pruning the flower spike. You can leave it alone, remove it all, or just cut it back to a node. Leaving the spike intact or just cutting back to a node can lead to the plant re-blooming from the tip of the spike. If there is discoloration in the spike it is best to remove it all. This directs energy to the roots, promoting new plant growth and a healthier orchid.

Videos for more tips on orchid growing and orchid care :