Basic Orchid Care - Even You Can Grow These Beauties!

This time of year the the colorful blooms of orchids start to pop up in stores.  Taking care of these beautiful flowers does not have to be intimidating.  They are great plants for the home - often their blooms can last 3+ months.  That's a great investment!

Phalaenopsis in my Dining Room!

Tips for Growing Orchids at Home

1. Provide bright, indirect light – often a window perfect for African violets is perfect for orchids.  Light is easily the hardest environmental factor to balance for a home gardener.  Too little = no flowers.  Too much = sunburn leaves.
2. Water frequently just before potting mix dries out – never allow plants to sit in water.  Unlike typical houseplants, orchids are often grown in coarse bark or more often now, sphagnum moss.  Be sure this never stays too wet or completely dries out.
3. Fertilize in spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer - usually at half strength
4. Provide plenty of air circulation – tropical orchids are epiphytes, growing on tree branches.  They like plenty of air circulation.  If you’re really serious, utilize a fan!
5. Most like temperatures we like - between 55-60°F at night and 70-85°F during the day.  Of course, every genus has its ideal temperature and they are all slightly different, but in general this is a good all-around temperature for nearly all the orchids you will find in stores.

6. 

   Oncidium Hula Halau 'Volcano Queen' at Reiman Gardens
   

   Raise humidity around plants with pebble trays or humidifiers - they are from tropical areas after all
7. Remove spent bloom spikes at the base of the plant.  Moth orchids can sometimes rebloom from the same spike if you cut it just above the second dark ring on the flower spike.  It doesn't always work - but its worth a try!
8. Repot after flowering every 2 to 3 years in coarse orchid bark that provides excellent drainage.  If you are a terrible under-waterer (which most of us are not, especially for orchids) try sphagnum moss.  Whichever you choose, I recommend picking one and using it for all orchids
9. Orchids love a “summer vacation”  - put them outside when night temps are consistently above 60°F in a full shade outdoor location.
10. Watch for insect pests like scale, mealybugs, aphids and spider mites - these are the most common pests - especially after coming indoors after their summer vacation.  Treat by removing by hand or with an insecticidal soap.  

Oncidium  Twinkles at Reiman Gardens

Great Orchids for the Home
These five are the easiest to grow at home and the easiest to find in stores.  They are listed in order from easiest to hardest to grow.  Of course there are hundreds more orchids out there. Once you become an orchid nut (...I'm sorry, orchid enthusiast) you can move beyond these five ubiquitous genera.

1. Moth Orchid – Phalaenopsis
2. Slipper Orchid - Paphiopedilum
3. Bamboo Orchid - Dendrobium
4. Dancing Lady Orchid - Oncidium
5. Florist’s Orchid - Cattleya

Some Great Resources to Learn More

American Orchid Society - great for beginners and experts too

Orchid Mall - great practical resource by a fellow Iowan, no less!

Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - this one is for the enthusiasts! 

Brassolaeliocattleya Husky Boy 'Romeo' (a close Cattleya relative) in my Kitchen