Orchids are some of the most stunning plants you grow, be that in your home or garden. But they can be intimidating to care for. And if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s also easy to get it wrong.
Thankfully with a bit of knowledge you can have them thriving. And that’s what these easy to follow tips will do – help you to care for your orchid so that it is happy and healthy.
1. Choose the Right Orchid
There are over 25,000 species of orchids so picking the right one is key. Some are easier to care for than others. For beginners it’s probably best to start with the Phalaenopsis (moth orchid), which is more forgiving if you get things wrong. It’s also one of most widely available so you shouldn’t struggle to find one to buy.
- Phalaenopsis: Great for beginners, available in various colors and has flowers that last a decent length of time. They are relatively easy to care for and will bloom for several months.
- Cattleya: Known for their large, fragrant flowers. They need more light than Phalaenopsis and can be a bit more challenging to care for but they are worth it when you see the flowers you get.
- Dendrobium: They come in a variety of colors and sizes. There are lots of variations to they’re care needs so some may be more tricky to look after than others.
2. Understand Your Orchid’s Natural Habitat
Most orchids are epiphytes. This means they grow on other plants rather than in soil.
To keep them happy it’s a good idea to copy how they would grow in their natural habitat. This can be as simple as giving them the humidity levels they like and making sure they have good air circulation.
For example, Phalaenopsis orchids naturally grow on tree trunks in warm and humid environments. Recreating this at home means keeping them in a well ventilated spot with high humidity.
You can do this pretty easily by using a humidity tray or a room humidifier.
3. Light Requirements
Orchids need the right amount of light to thrive. Too much light can burn the leaves while too little will stop them from blooming.
Light Needs by Orchid Type
| Orchid Type | Light Requirement |
|---|---|
| Phalaenopsis | Low to medium, indirect light. They do well in north or east-facing windows. |
| Cattleya | Bright, indirect light. They thrive in south or west facing windows with sheer curtains to filter the light. |
| Dendrobium | Medium to bright, indirect light. They can handle a bit more direct light than Phalaenopsis but still prefer filtered sunlight. |
If your orchid’s leaves are dark green it may not be getting enough light. But yellowish leaves can be a sign of too much light. So depending on how they’re looking change where they you have them accordingly.
4. Watering Your Orchids
Watering is a common challenge when looking after orchids. What you must do is avoid overwatering them. On top of that drainage is very important for orchids so that has to be just right too.
These are some general guidelines that will get you started:
- Phalaenopsis: Water once a week and let the potting mix to dry out between waterings. Orchids hate sitting in water so make sure the pot has good drainage.
- Cattleya: Water every 7 to 10 days. They prefer to dry out completely before the next watering. During the growing season you might need to water them more regularly.
- Dendrobium: Water every 5 to 7 days during growth periods and less often when it’s not actively growing. These orchids can store water in their pseudobulbs so they can go longer without getting or being watered.
When watering it’s best to use room temperature water. And try to avoid using softened water as it can contain salts that are harmful to orchids. Rainwater or distilled water is ideal. For more tips see this guide.
5. Humidity Levels
The higher the humidity, in this case around between 50-70%, the better an orchid will do. So if you live in a dry climate you may need to increase the humidity around your orchids.
- Use a humidity tray: Place a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles under your orchids. The water evaporating creates more humidity for them.
- Mist your orchids: Lightly misting the leaves can help but don’t overdo it as it can lead to fungal problems.
- Group your plants: Placing orchids close together can naturally raise the humidity. They release moisture into the air which creates a microenvironment.
- Room humidifier: If you have several orchids or other plants that need a lot of humidity getting a room humidifier can do wonders for them all.
6. Potting Medium
Orchids usually grow in a mix that is mainly bark rather than a more regular potting soil. This is because the bark is better for drainage and circulating air.
- Phalaenopsis: Use a mix of bark, sphagnum moss and perlite. This gives a good balance between holding on to moisture and drainage.
- Cattleya: A medium to large bark mix works well. They prefer a more open mix that allows their roots to breathe.
- Dendrobium: A mix of bark and charcoal is best. The charcoal helps to keep the mix free from fungus.
Don’t use regular potting soil as it will hold on to too much moisture and this leads to root rot. If you need to you can also add some tree fern or coconut husk to the mix as it will also help with the air circulation.
7. Repotting Orchids
You should repot your orchid every 1 to 2 years. Refreshing the potting mix gives them more chance for new growth. Here’s how:
- Choose a pot that’s slightly larger than the current one. Clear plastic pots are great because they let you see the roots and mean you can keep an eye on the moisture levels.
- Carefully remove the orchid from its pot, gently loosening the roots. If the roots are tightly bound you may need to cut the pot away to avoid damaging them.
- Trim any dead or rotting roots. Healthy roots are firm and white with green tips. Dead roots are brown and mushy.
- Place the orchid in the new pot and fill it with fresh potting mix. Make sure the base of the plant is just above the potting mix level. If not then then the crown may rot.
After repotting dont water for a week. You need to let any damaged roots heal as it will reduce the risk of rot.
Follow this guide for a more in-depth guide to repotting an orchid.
8. Feeding Your Orchids
Orchids need regular feeding as they grow. Their growing season is usually from spring to early fall and that’s when you should be giving them ferilizer. A balanced orchid fertilizer at half strength every 2 to 4 weeks will be good enough.
- Phalaenopsis: Feed every 2 weeks during the growth period just mentioned and then every month during the rest periods. They benefit from a balanced fertilizer that’s made up of equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- Cattleya: Fertilize every 2 to 3 weeks during growth. They respond well to a fertilizer with a higher amount of phosphorus as it encourages them to flower.
- Dendrobium: Feed every 2 weeks during active growth, less during the period when they’re dormant. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer in the spring and a balanced one for the rest of the year.
Flush the potting mix with clear water once a month as it will help remove any fertilizer salts that build up and damage the roots.
9. Pruning and Deadheading
Pruning is important as it helps keep orchids healthy and encourages new growth. Remove dead or dying flowers and trim any unhealthy roots or leaves.
- Use sterilized scissors or pruners so you don’t spread any diseases your orchid might have. Sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol or a flame.
- Trim back flower spikes once blooming has finished as it will encourage new spikes. Cut just above a node (that is a small bump on the spike) as it has the potential to stimulate a new flower.
- Remove any yellow or blackened leaves. They may well be diseased and you don’t want them spreading. Always cut at the base of the leaf stem.
10. Pest Control
Orchids can fall victim to pests like mealybugs, aphids and spider mites. These are a few tips for keeping them at bay:
- Inspect your orchids regularly for signs of pests. Look under leaves and around the roots.
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat any infestations you find. Apply as the insurrections direct you to and make sure the plant is thoroughly covered.
- Keep the environment clean and remove any fallen leaves or debris that can harbor pests. Regular cleaning and removing of old plant material can prevent any infestations.
- There are insects that help to naturally control pest populations. Ladybugs are especially good. You could introduce some of them to deal with any pest issues you have.
Final Thoughts
Caring for orchids can seem daunting at first. But with these tips you’ll be well on your way to growing some beautiful and healthy orchids.
Always remember that each of the many types of orchids will have certain needs that are specific to it. So being familiar with and understanding those needs will help you provide the best care.
