How to Care for Orchid Flowers

Pot your orchid in a container filled with a planting medium such as peat moss, spaghnum moss or bark chips. Orchids are epiphytes that do not grow in soil like many other flowers and plants. Instead, the purpose of the planting medium is to give the flower support to stand and grow. Planting your orchid in potting soil or garden soil can kill it.

Choose an appropriate spot for your orchid. Orchids typically grow best indoors in a spot that gets plenty of indirect sunlight, such as near a well-lit window. Also, orchids will grow best when they are in an area with daytime temperatures in the 70s and overnight temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water the orchid once a week. Add enough water so that it begins to drain out of the pot's drainage holes. If your orchid is in a clay pot, it may need to be watered more regularly. Be careful not to over-water the flower. If the roots are allowed to stand in water, it can kill the flower.

Fertilize the plant once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer applied during a regular watering. Try a 30-10-10 orchid fertilizer or a 20-20-20 complete plant fertilizer. Be sure to follow the label directions to ensure you use the proper amount of fertilizer.

Stop fertilizing your orchid and limit its waterings once it stops blooming. Limit watering until it produces new leaves, then continue with weekly waterings and monthly fertilizer applications.