orchids care guide

Here are the main requirements for proper orchid care

Most orchids require water once a week. ...
Position your orchid in a bright windowsill facing east or west.
Weekly feeding with a fertilizer designed for orchids.
Repotting in fresh orchid mix when your orchid stops blooming.

What do you do with an orchid after the blooms fall off?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

How do you care for an orchid indoors?

Orchids need ample water but should be allowed to dry out some between waterings. One way to check for watering is by poking your finger about an inch into the growing media. If it's dry, give it some water; otherwise, let it be. Indoor orchid plants also need adequate humidity, about fifty to seventy percent.

How do you keep orchids blooming?

Choose a bright window or put the plant under grow lights and continue to water it regularly, but stop fertilizing. If you've done a good job caring for your plant and fertilizing it regularly throughout the growing season, your orchid should develop new flower spikes in early winter.

How do you keep an orchid alive?

5 Ways to Keep Your Orchid Alive

Let there be (bright, indirect) light! An east-facing window that gets morning light is ideal. ...
Not too hot, not too cold. Phalaelnopsis are happy in the same temps we are: above 60º at night and between 70º and 80º during the day. ...
Cut spent blooms. ...
Remember food and water. ...
Repot on occasion.

How long does it take for orchids to rebloom?

It takes a month or two, or even several months for Phalaenopsis orchids to rebloom. Many other varieties of orchids bloom annually. The anticipation and eventual reward of an emerging flower spike bedecked with tiny buds are so exciting.

Should I remove dead orchid blooms?

Dead flowers do not only give your Phal an unpleasant appearance; they can also spread diseases to other parts of the plant or nearby plants. ... If the flower spike is drooping and discolored, and its edges have turned brownish, it is time to remove the flower. Many orchids have more than one bloom on a stem-like spike.

Should orchids be watered from the top or bottom?

To master watering orchids, it is essential to water from above with fresh, pure water. For orchids with water storage, pseudobulbs, water when the potting mix is approaching dry. Otherwise, for orchids without water storage, without pseudobulbs, keep the potting mix barely damp.

How do you not kill an orchid?

8 Ways to Kill Your Orchid

Water it every day. ...
Establish a watering schedule for your orchid. ...
Water your orchid whenever you water your other plants. ...
Water your Phalaenopsis orchid with ice cubes. ...
Find out where your orchid is native to and water it when the Weather Channel says it's raining there.

How long do orchids live for?

With good care and regular maintenance, an orchid plant may live for a lifetime — 100 years, or more.

Do orchids need to be repotted?

Orchids generally need to be repotted once a year. The best time to repot is just after flowering, or when new growth appears. You'll know it's time to repot if any of these reasons apply to you: Your orchid has tightly tangled roots.

Should I mist my orchid flowers?

Misting gives the orchid more humidity but does not create a soggy root environment. It is best to put your orchid where it will receive medium indirect sunlight. ... To ensure bright blooms and a healthy plant, use a potting mixture and a fertilizer that is specifically designed for orchids.

How often should orchids be watered?

So how do you water orchids? The easiest way is to soak your orchid in a bowl of water once every week or two --- when the moss dries out. Unlike most houseplants, you don't need to keep orchid moss evenly moist; if it stays too moist, the orchid can rot.

What is the best position for orchids?

The ideal spot for growing orchids is either south or east-facing windows. Usually west windows are too hot while northern windows are too dark.

Are orchids OK in bathrooms?

Orchids. ... Because orchids are native to tropical climates, they love humidity and will thrive in the steamy confines of a bathroom. Just be sure that they have minimal sunlight (a skylight or small bathroom window should be enough to keep them happy).

Why can't I keep orchids alive?

Orchids need a lot of bright and indirect light, according to Westphoria. If they are placed in direct sunlight, like the kind you would find around noon or early afternoon, then you'll risk burning their leaves and causing the flowers to wilt, according to Orchids USA.

Will orchids grow new stems?

However, of all the orchid species only Phalaenopsis will grow shoots off the same stem when the stem is cut above a nod or eye. ... This does happen, but after you cut the stem all the way back the plant should produce another shoot from its base. Be patient, as it can take several months to see this new growth.

Do you still water orchids after flowering?

During their post-flowering rest period, reduce watering. If you overwater these varieties, they may rot and die. Phalaenopsis and Vanda orchids don't have pseudobulbs to store water, so you should water them thoroughly when the potting mix is nearly dry to keep them from completely drying out.

How do I prune orchids?

Follow these guidelines:

For healthy, green spikes: Find a node under the lowest flower bloom. Trim 1 inch above that node.
For unhealthy, brown spikes: Cut all the way back to the base of the plant.
For double-spike orchids: Cut one spike at the base of the plant.

How do you know if orchid roots are dead?

If you end up with a dead orchid, before throwing it out, take time to check out the roots. This will give clues about its cause of death and help you to avoid future problems. Rotted roots are easily identified because they are brown, mushy and hollow. These roots are probably the result of overwatering.

Do orchids need sunlight?

Without adequate light, expect lush growth but no flowers. Insufficient light is the most common reason for failure to bloom. These plants thrive in strong light, but direct sunlight can burn orchids. Bright, indirect light from an eastern or southern window is ideal.

When should orchids be cut back?

When the Phalaenopsis orchid is completely done blooming and all the flowers have faded, you can do the major pruning. Most orchids will go dormant in the fall, so plan on doing your pruning then. Trim the stem that had the blooms on it off about an inch (3 cm.) away from the main stalk.