Orchid Care - American Orchid Society (2024)

FAQs

Where is the best place to put an orchid in your house? ›

Most orchids need bright but indirect light – an east or west-facing windowsill is often perfect. Too much light can scorch the leaves, so don't stand in direct sunshine. Most indoor orchids come from humid, tropical regions, so need a humid atmosphere.

Answer. The NYBG Senior Curator of Orchids says it's best to use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 in powder form to supply all the primary nutrients needed for flowering plants. These numbers--NPK numbers--represent nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. N (nitrogen) helps with vigorous growth and dark green color ...

Milk has calcium and vitamin B and has some benefit as an insecticide when applied as a foliar feed. Low fat, 1 or 2% milk is best, avoid full fat and skim milk. Mix 1 part milk to 4 parts water and apply as a foliar feed. Its nutritional composition makes it beneficial for orchid growth and health.

Avoid overwatering which leads to the demise of many more orchids than underwatering. Constant wetness will cause the roots to rot, which leaves the plant without a means...

Of all of the more commonly available orchids, only Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid) will re-bloom from its old spike. Phalaenopsis will generally re-bloom given a little extra care.

Like all plants, orchids require sufficient light in order to produce flowers. Insufficient light is the most common cause of failure to rebloom your orchid. Leaf color indicates if the amount of light is adequate. The lush, rich, dark green of most houseplants is not desirable in orchid leaves.

Water orchids frequently with room-temperature water. Feed with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Orchid Food, according to package instructions. Be patient with plants, as they will rebloom eventually. Provide good airflow and proper care to help prevent pest problems with orchids.

While coffee grounds are a fantastic addition to your compost, the nature of their decomposition is not effective for most orchids. In addition, they cause rapid decomposition of orchid potting bark, creating an environment that is primed for root rot. It is best to save those grounds for other plants.

How do you perk up an orchid? ›

Maintain High Humidity. Raise the humidity around your orchid so that its roots can absorb moisture through the air. Mist your orchid to encourage it to grow and bloom. Set your mister to avoid wetting the leaves, or use a spray bottle to lightly moisturize the air surrounding the plants.

An Epsom salt soak for an hour each day for a 3 days (or more if needed) can help restore the plant to its plump state. Alternatively, when a plant has severe root rot, new root growth can be encouraged by an Epsom salt soak.

Because orchids aren't potted in soil, they need nitrogen for optimal health. Orchid fertilizer and all-purpose flower fertilizer will contain the necessary nitrogen. Another high-nitrogen option for fertilizer is tea bags. With this option, you just open the bag and spread the contents in the potting media.

Most houseplant orchids like bright light, but not direct sun, such as on a north- or east-facing windowsill. They like regular watering and misting, preferably with rainwater or boiled water rather than tap water. Many need to be grown in bark-based orchid compost, rather than traditional houseplant compost.

Living Room

Indirect sunlight is best. So, one of the best places to keep your orchid is near a north- or east-facing window. If your living room has west-facing windows, it's best to place it farther away from the window on a table or shelf.

bright indirect lighting (keep them near an east- or south-facing window or shaded patio) consistent watering (water them once a week during hot months and maybe every other week when it's cooler) good drainage (water roots growing outside your pot well but avoid getting water in the base of the plant) annual repotting.

An east or south facing window provides bright enough light for growing orchids. South and east-facing windows work best for orchids. West_windows can be too hot in the afternoon and north-facing ones are usually too dark. A sheer curtain will cast light shade.