How to Grow Orchids in Charcoal

Plant your orchid in a well-draining clay or plastic planting container; for best results, select a container that has holes in the bottom and vertical slits in the sides to allow excess water to drain. Use horticultural charcoal in place of standard potting soil or mix equal parts charcoal and perlite to create an even better-draining growing medium. Plant the orchid at the same level it was growing in the nursery container; the junction of the stem and roots should be positioned no deeper than 1/2 inch below the surface of the soil.

Expose the orchid to four to five hours of bright sunlight each day to encourage healthy growth and bountiful blossoms. Place your orchid near a south-, east- or west-facing window that receives indirect or filtered sunlight. Avoid positioning the plant where it will receive direct sunlight, as this may cause its foliage to burn and its blossoms to fade prematurely.

Water your orchid weekly, but limit the amount of moisture that you provide to prevent wilting, root rot and other cultivation complications caused by overwatering. Pour 3/4 cup lukewarm water over the surface of the growing medium; distribute the water as evenly as possible. Allow the top of the growing medium to dry slightly before you water again.

Create an indoor climate that provides conditions that are similar to what your orchid would experience if grown in its native climate. Maintain an indoor temperature between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day; lower the temperature 10 degrees at night to stimulate healthy flower production. Move the orchid into the bathroom while you shower or run a cool mist humidifier in the room where the plant is kept to provide it with the 40 to 60 percent relative humidity levels it needs to thrive.

Fertilize the orchid every two weeks, March through August, using a water soluble fertilizer; alternate between using a 20-20-20 and 30-10-10 formula each time you fertilize. Dilute the fertilizer to one-quarter the recommended strength and apply according to package directions. Provide your orchid with a single application of 10-50-10 fertilizer in November to give it the phosphorous it needs to set healthy buds.