How to Care for Mardi Gras Orchid Garden Plants

Plant Mardi Gras orchids in special bark designed for orchids or use rockwool mixed with 10 percent medium charcoal and 30 percent spongerock. Use a pot with a drainage hole or leave the plant in its nursery pot until the bark degrades or the rockwool becomes dark, transplanting it in fall.

Provide the orchids with low to medium light. If it must live in an area that receives brighter light, increase the humidity in its growing area to at least 70 percent. In lower light conditions, this orchid will do well in humidity of 50 percent.

Maintain an intermediate temperature, which is usually considered to be in the 70s Fahrenheit, for the orchids.

Water Mardi Gras orchids to maintain moisture in the growing medium. These orchids need some minerals in their water and thrive when the water pH is between 8.0 and 8.4. If rainwater or distilled water is used, sprinkle 1 tsp. dolomitic limestone on the soil surface every four months for a plant in a 3-1/4-inch pot. Increase this amount for larger pots.

Fertilize with a plant food having an N-P-K ratio of 20-10-20. However, do not fertilize at every watering because the Mardi Gras orchid can develop burns on its leaves and root tips.