How to Grow Orchids in Rocks

Prepare pots for the orchids. Use 4- to 6-inch pots with drainage holes to give the orchids quick drainage and balance their tall, heavy growth. Wash the gravel to rinse dust off, and then fill each pot 3/4 full of gravel.

Place each orchid's root system in its pot, on top of the gravel. Move the bulbs over to sit against the sides of the pots for support, and to give new bulbs and roots room for growth.

Pour clean gravel over each root system to fill the pots and secure the plantings. Pat the gravel down firmly, but be careful not to break or damage the roots.

Put the orchids in spots where they get light and temperatures appropriate to their variety. This may range from bright light to moderate shade and consistently warm temperatures to cool nighttime temperatures.

Water the orchids only when the gravel dries. Give them 2 inches of water at that time and never fill the pot with water. Orchid roots rot and die when they sit in water for any length of time. Tailor your watering schedule to your growing region and season.

Feed orchids in gravel with balanced, nutritious water-soluble 1-1-1 or 20-20-20 fertilizer. Mix the fertilizer at 1/4 of manufacturer directions to dilute it, and then pour the mix into the pots to water and feed the orchids. Feed orchids every two to four weeks, especially in this foundation, which holds little nutrition.