Ok, easy is not really what most people think of when it comes to growing orchids but it really does fit! Orchids are surprisingly easy to grow (think cactus with big, sweet-scented flowers!) so here are a few tips.
First of all, indoor orchids do not typically grow in soil. Normal potting soil will usually spell death to your once beautiful plant. These beauties grow in trees and on rocks in the wild so they need water to run off almost immediately. Never let them sit in standing water. Typically, indoor orchids are grown in very coarse bark to achieve this.
Orchids like very bright indirect light and most will take some direct sun through a window. Light is the single most important aspect of raising orchids, so provide good light! Eastern and southern exposure windows work best. Remember to avoid heating and air-conditioning vents, baseboard heaters, etc…
Orchids only need to be watered about once a week. Cattleya, Oncidium and Dendrobium like to fully dry out, Phalaenopsis like to be nearly dry, and Paphiopedilum and Epidendrum should be slightly moist. Do not think that the inability of the soil to hold water means dowsing them everyday, they really need to dry out a bit between watering like they would in a tree-top. Their roots are modified bulbs that are excellent at storing moisture between watering.
Use a high quality liquid fertilizer once a month when feeding them or twice a month at half strength. (We have found Fertilome, and Master Nursery products to be far superior to others). Plants should typically be bright green when properly fertilized. Deep green usually means too little light, and yellow is usually over-watered or under-fed. Not enough light is a common cause of ‘big green orchid with no flowers’!
Normal room temperatures of 60-70 degrees are ideal for most orchids, though many will take temperatures down to 50 degrees quite easily. In fact, most will bloom more readily if you allow the temperature to drop 10-15 degrees at night in the Spring and Fall.
Orchids like humidity. One of the best ways to achieve this is to set the orchid pot on a tray of loose gravel (polished rocks look nice and work great – avoid painted rocks). Poor water over the gravel so that it covers about ½ of the rocks allowing the orchid to sit above the water without touching. Rinse the stones and pan once every couple of weeks to keep things clean.
The main pests of orchids tend to be mealy bugs and scale. Both can be taken care of with a systemic insect control. Remember, follow label directions!
Enjoy the beautiful, long-lasting flowers of orchids. It’s ok if your friends think you have done the impossible by getting them to grow, we won’t tell.
