How to grow and care for orchids

Amber Charnoff
·2 min read

(WHTM) – April 16 is National Orchid Day and although the plants being celebrated today are beautiful, they can be complicated to care for. However, with a little research, patience and practice you can have a healthy, blooming orchid in your houseplant collection.

Here’s how to care for orchids, according to the American Orchid Society:

Light

Orchids need a lot of light and restricted access to sunlight is why many orchids don’t bloom. The foliage should be lighter and yellow-green in color and have upward growth.

Orchids that look lush and are dark green in color have not received enough light.

The American Orchid Society (AOS) suggests giving them as much light as possible without burning them.

Water

Orchids should be watered just before the soil dries out. The AOS says the ways to determine if an orchid is ready for water are:

  • The potting mix looks dry

  • The pot is lighter than normal

  • Clay pots are dry

  • A wooden stick (or finger) placed in the potting mix comes back almost dry

A good rule is to water orchids at least once a month.

When watered, give the orchid water until it starts to run out of the drainage holes.

Scenes from the Hershey Gardens orchid show

Growing Medium

Most orchids should not be grown in soil because the roots need air. Orchids need a medium that is open and well-draining but can hold moisture. The AOS suggests sticks, stones, fir bark, tree fern, peat moss, and perlite. Fir bark and tree fern are sometimes used alone, but often are mixed with peat moss and perlite.

Containers

The type of orchid and the environment will determine the container an orchid should be in. Clay pots are a good choice for those who tend to overwater or those who live in a humid, rainy area. Growers who forget to water plants or live in a dry climate should use plastic pots to retain moisture.

Air

Orchids need to be grown in a place where air will be moving; they cannot handle an environment with no air movement. The best ways to provide adequate airflow is to have an overhead paddle fan on the lowest setting or to point a portable fan near, but away from the plants.

For the Love of Orchids at the Hershey Gardens

Fertilization

Orchids don’t require fertilization, but it helps. If a grower chooses to fertilize, it should be done once a week in the summer and every two weeks in the fall and winter. Always use 1/2 the recommended strength and water the plant before applying fertilizer.

When choosing a fertilizer, select one without urea because the nitrogen in urea has to be converted first and because orchids won’t grow in soil, this is not an easy process.

If you follow the correct steps for caring for orchids, you will be rewarded with a beautiful flowering plant in your home.

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