How to Care for Your Orchid

How to Care for Your Orchid

Care for orchids varies depending on species. In general, orchids need medium to bright light. In a home, placement near a North or East facing window is ideal. Never expose your orchid to direct sunlight, this will cause burns and may damage your plant.

General Orchid Care

  • Temperature:

    • Keep daytime temps 60–80°F and nighttime temps 8–15° cooler
    • Avoid temperatures below 50°F or above 100°F

  • Watering & Fertilizing:

    • Water and fertilize regularly in spring and summer
      • A good rule of thumb is soaking in water once a week during the blooming/ warm season for 30 minutes then draining excess water
      • Do not let it sit in standing water for an extended period of time
      • The roots become dull/ silvery and wrinkly when requiring watering
    • Reduce frequency in fall and winter
    • Use orchid fertilizer or African Violet fertilizer

  • Potting & Roots:

    • Orchids are epiphytes and therefore require special soil conditions i.e., a bark substrate
    • Do not use potting soil
    • Orchids prefer to be somewhat rootbound
    • Repot every 2 years to refresh decomposed soil
      Come on in if you need help potting up your orchid

*For more specific care instructions see the varieties below.

Orchid Varieties

Dendrobium – Most dendrobiums like a strong life cycle with warm bright summers with plenty of fertilizer and regular water, and a cooler winter allowing the soil to become almost dry between waterings. Many hybrids flower in the spring and again in late summer.

Oncidium – Known as “dancing lady” orchids. They can handle bright to full direct sun. They flower during the fall months. With proper care the plant may bloom twice a year. Their flowers are not large, but they have a considerable number of flowers produced on the long branching flower spikes, creating a cloudlike mass of color.

Phalaenopsis – Also known as moth orchid. These are ideal houseplants. They flower during the winter and early spring months. They need cool nights and warm days. The beautiful blooms can last up to 4 months!

Paphiolpedilum – Or Lady’s Slippers are mostly ground dwellers so they require less light than others. They produce a single flower that resembles a slipper. The bloom lasts for 8 weeks or longer. Generally Paphiopedilums with solid green leaves prefer cooler growing conditions, while those with mottled leaves need more warmth.

Caring for orchids isn’t complicated when you follow a few basic guidelines: provide bright but indirect light, maintain warm daytime and slightly cooler nighttime temps, water and fertilize more during the growing season, and repot only every couple of years using a proper orchid mix. Each orchid variety has its own quirks—what works for a Phalaenopsis won’t always suit a Paphiopedilum—but by observing your plant and adjusting accordingly, you’ll be well on your way to healthy, long-lasting blooms. Happy growing!