Care Guide For Potted Orchids
Orchids are elegant, long-lasting plants that can bring a touch of beauty and sophistication to any home or office. To keep your potted orchid healthy and encourage it to bloom year after year, follow these simple care tips:
1. Watering Your Orchid
Orchids generally prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. Water your orchid once a week or when it feels dry to the touch.
Water thoroughly by pouring water into the pot until it drains out the bottom, ensuring that the roots get enough moisture.
Use room-temperature water, preferably filtered or distilled, as orchids are sensitive to chemicals often found in tap water, like chlorine.
If you’re not sure when to water, it’s best to err on the side of slightly under-watering rather than over-watering. Over-watering is one of the most common causes of orchid problems.
2. Ideal Light Conditions
Orchids prefer bright, indirect light. Place your orchid near a window with filtered sunlight. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause the flowers to fade quickly.
If the leaves are turning yellow or brown, it may be a sign that the orchid is getting too much light while dark green leaves often indicate insufficient light.
3. Pruning and Deadheading
After your orchid finishes blooming, you may notice that the flower spike begins to fade. You can cut the flower spike back to just above the node (small bump) where it was growing. Some orchids, like Phalaenopsis, may re-bloom from the same spike, while others may require a completely new spike.
If the flower spike turns brown and shriveled, you can cut it all the way back to the base to encourage new growth.
Remove dead or yellowing leaves to prevent disease and encourage healthy new growth.
4. Repotting Your Orchid
Orchids generally need to be repotted every 1-2 years. This is an ideal time to refresh the potting medium and check the health of the roots.
Repot when the orchid’s roots begin to outgrow their pot or when the potting medium starts to break down and lose its drainage ability.
Be careful not to damage the delicate roots when repotting. Use a pot that is slightly larger than the current one, and ensure it has good drainage holes.