How to Care for a Moth Orchid

Supply your orchid with correct lighting. Place your orchid near or in the window, but try to avoid the harsh mid-day sun. Morning light and afternoon light will keep your orchid happy. An east or west facing window would be ideal, so it would get the most sun.

Make sure the temperature is just right for your orchid. The ideal temperature for moth orchids is between 55 and 85 degrees. Ideally, you should keep your orchid at 60 degrees at night and 75 degrees during the day. It is also ideal to have a humidity level of 50 to 75 percent. You can establish this in a heated home if you place the orchid pot in a tray of gravel and water.

Keep your moth orchid hydrated. Orchids do not like to be dry or close to the point of wilting. They should be watered all the way through. Do not water again until the soil is nearly dry. The amount you water your orchid will depend on the type of soil, but once every 7 to 10 days is a good place to start. You will probably have to water more during the winter because there is less humidity in the air.

Use the correct fertilizer. A slow release fertilizer can work very well, as long as it has equal proportions of N-P-K. If you would rather use liquid plant food, apply it every other time you water. Make sure this also has equal proportions of N-P-K. You should stay away from fertilizing altogether when the plant is in bloom.

Make your orchid last as long as it can. After the last flower of the spike fades, look at the spike for bumps or nodes. Count out three nodes from the base of the spike, and cut 1 inch above the third node. This process can revitalize your plant and awaken new blooming, as long as your orchid is healthy and it's not too late in the season.

Re-pot your orchid. You will need to re-pot if your orchid has outgrown its pot, or if its soil has degraded and can no longer support healthy roots. Remove the plant from its pot and trim out old dead roots. Place your orchid in a new container and sprinkle the soil around it, letting it settle around the roots. Resume your normal watering and lighting schedule.