I'm Trying to Get My Orchid to Bloom

Temperature

• Orchids fit into one of four temperature groups according to their preferred nighttime temperatures. Hardy orchids thrive outside all year while warm-growing orchids prefer that nighttime temperatures do not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A range of 50 to 55 F makes the intermediate-growing orchids happy, while cool-growing orchids need temperatures hovering around 45 to 50 F. Knowing what type of orchid you have is key to knowing what temperature it needs.

Lighting

• One of the most common reasons that orchids fail to bloom is not having enough light. A south-facing window is the optimal place for an indoor orchid, with an east window next best; west and north windows follow in that order. If your home can't provide the proper amount of light to get your orchid to bloom, you may need to provide supplemental fluorescent lighting.

Water

• Orchids prefer for their potting medium to dry between waterings. Soak the plant thoroughly and infrequently rather than watering frequently in small amounts. To soak an orchid, pour lukewarm water through it until it runs out of the bottom of the pot, but never allow an orchid to sit in water. Orchids enjoy being placed in the shower twice a year under lukewarm water for a few minutes.

Humidity and Air Circulation

• Orchids need a range of 50 to 70 percent relative humidity. Place plants close together to increase humidity, or place them on trays of pebbles with enough water added so that it does not touch the orchid containers. In the winter's dry, heated indoor environment, running a humidifier is helpful. Orchids need good air circulation to prevent disease and to supply carbon dioxide. Indoors, using a small fan is a good way to provide the air flow needed.

Growing Medium and Fertilization

• Epiphytic orchids need a different growing medium than terrestrial orchids, and not all epiphytic orchids need the same growing medium. Vandas tend to love to grow bare-root with only some large chunks of fern fiber to hold them in place while Phalaenopsis need a bark mixture to thrive. The medium they are growing in also determines in part how they are fertilized. Orchids planted in bark require more nitrogen than those planted in other mediums. A general rule is to fertilize with a good, all-purpose orchid food once a week alternated with an orchid bloom fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Orchid medium should be flushed with plain water at least once a month.

Easy-to-Grow Species

• Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is the easiest orchid to grow and bloom indoors while cattleyas, or corsage orchids, are the most recognizable of all orchids and also thrive indoors. Paphiopedilum, or lady slipper orchids, grow and bloom well indoors in cool climates. An easy, florific species that are a favorite for indoor and outdoor growing is epidendrum. All of these orchids have dozens of varieties, so you have an abundance of blooms and colors to choose from.