Complete Orchid Care

Watering

• Over-watering is a common problem with orchids because we think such tropicals need constant watering. The best rule for orchids in the home is to water every five to 12 days, according to orchid type. In summer's long days, water more often than in winter.

  With watering, orchids can be divided into three groups of varieties:

  1) Those that must always be kept evenly moist (Miltonia, Cymbidium, Paphiopedilum)
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  2) Those that need even moisture while actively growing, and allowed to dry between waterings (Cattleya, Brassia, Dendrobium, Oncidium)
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  3) Those that should be allowed to nearly dry out between waterings (Vanda, Phalaenopsis).

  It's also helpful to mist foliage lightly in the morning in hot, dry conditions.

Light

• Insufficient light is the most common cause of an orchid's failure to bloom. A good indicator of the right amount of light is bright green leaf color. Orchids need up to 15 hours of light daily.

  If your orchid is indoors, place it in strong, indirect morning light from a south-facing window. Provide sheer curtains for protection from mid-day hot sun.

  In winter, you can augment weak light with just ordinary fluorescent lighting. Try one warm-white fluorescent bulb and one cool-white bulb together, set one to two feet above the foliage, for up to 12 hours.

  In a greenhouse with fluorescent lights, your orchid's light needs will depend on its variety. Some need shaded areas, others need brighter lights.

  If your orchid develops black, blotchy leaves, it is sunburned. Add sheer curtains or move the orchid back from the window to decrease light intensity. In the fall, you can move it back closer to the window.

Temperature

• Orchids respond well to cooler night temperatures. Generally, an ideal minimal night temperature is 60 degrees F. Daytime temperature should run 75 to 85 degrees F.

  Some orchids, such as phalaenopsis, develop flower spikes after up to a month of cool night temperature of 55 degrees F. Then, return the night temperature to 60-65 degrees F. These sort of changes stimulate blooming. Moist air is critical, so misting your orchid's leaves helps.

Fertilizing

• It's important to regularly fertilize your orchid, using a specially-formulated orchid food. Once a month is the general rule. Less than that may lead to fewer flowers and stunted growth. More than that can burn leaves and roots and also minimize flowering. Your best bet is to follow instructions on the label of the orchid food you use.

Soil

• The best soil for orchids is a mix of soil specially formulated for orchids and organic matter like compost and moistened bark.

  Keep your orchid pot setting on a tray of pebbles or gravel. Maintain a water level that keeps the underside of the pebbles wet, but no higher. This provides more humidity.

  You won't need to repot your orchid more than once every couple of years. It's OK if your orchid's roots reach out of the pot, but if it's not blooming and the roots are long, you may consider repotting it.

Orchid pests

• A variety of pests plague orchids. Watch for aphids and thrips, which feed on new growth. Scale insects can leave a crust on stems and leaves. Mealybugs will leave a cottony mass on stems and leaves. Slugs and snails, commonly found in potting soil, chew on roots and feed on stems and leaves at night. Check with your local gardening store for the appropriate pest-control products.