How to Grow Japanese Orchids

Keep Japanese orchids in loose, quick-draining, non-soil foundations. Terrestrial orchids like cymbidiums grow in some soils, but aerial orchids such as dendrobiums and calanthes require air circulation around their roots. All orchids thrive in non-soil mediums such as fern matter, fir bark, peat moss, gravel or perlite.

Grow Japanese orchids in pots with drainage holes. Orchids rot and die in standing water but thrive with free, quick drainage. Use small clay pots to bind the roots and balance tall, heavy foliage. Clay pots dry more quickly to maintain a dry, airy foundation.

Keep the Japanese orchids in species-appropriate lighting and temperatures. Cool-growing orchids like cymbidiums do best with low nighttime temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, while intermediate orchids like dendrobiums prefer moderate nighttime temperatures of 55 to 60 degrees. Warm-temperature orchids like calanthes need nighttime temperatures of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Most orchids thrive with bright, indirect light or artificial light.

Water Japanese orchids once a week, when their potting media dries. Orchids prefer some drying between waterings and suffer in soggy media. Give each plant 2 inches of water at a time.

Feed Japanese orchids with water-soluble 20-20-20 and 30-10-10 fertilizer every two weeks. Dilute the fertilizer at one-quarter the rate recommended on the packaging.