Orchid Care Guide: How to Make Orchids Last

Sometimes, orchids have a reputation for being difficult, but with proper care, these elegant plants can bloom for months and thrive for years. Understanding how to care for orchids indoors transforms them from intimidating to rewarding, offering exceptional value and lasting beauty.

At Susan Avery, we've worked with premium orchids for over forty years. This comprehensive orchid care guide shares our professional expertise to help your orchids flourish.

Understanding Your Orchid

Most orchids sold for home and office display are phalaenopsis varieties, commonly called moth orchids. These are the most forgiving orchid type for indoor care, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts.

Phalaenopsis orchids naturally grow in tropical forests, attached to tree bark rather than soil. This epiphytic nature informs their care requirements and explains why they differ from typical houseplants.

Light Requirements for Orchids

Proper lighting is crucial for orchid health and reblooming.

Ideal Light Conditions

Bright, indirect light suits orchids perfectly. Place them near east or west-facing windows where they receive gentle morning or afternoon sun without harsh midday rays.

Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves and damage the plant. If leaves develop brown patches or feel hot to touch, your orchid is receiving too much direct sun.

Insufficient light prevents reblooming. If your orchid produces healthy leaves but won't flower, inadequate light is often the cause.

Assessing Light Levels

Orchid leaves should be bright green. Dark green leaves indicate insufficient light, whilst yellow or reddish leaves suggest too much direct sun. Adjust placement accordingly.

Watering Orchids Correctly

Overwatering kills more orchids than any other factor. Understanding orchid watering requirements prevents the most common care mistakes.

How Often to Water

Water orchids approximately once per week, though frequency depends on:

• Temperature and humidity levels
• Pot size and growing medium
• Season (orchids need less water in winter)
• Air circulation around the plant

The best indicator is the growing medium. Water when the bark or moss feels dry to touch, typically 5-7 days after the previous watering.

Proper Watering Technique

Morning watering allows excess moisture to evaporate during the day, reducing disease risk.

Thorough soaking works better than frequent light watering. Place the pot in a sink and run lukewarm water through the growing medium for 30-60 seconds, allowing it to drain completely.

Never leave orchids sitting in water. Ensure pots drain fully and never allow water to accumulate in saucers or decorative containers.

Avoid wetting leaves and flowers excessively, as standing water promotes fungal issues.

Temperature and Humidity

Ideal Temperature Range

Phalaenopsis orchids thrive in typical indoor temperatures:

• Daytime: 20-27°C
• Night-time: 16-20°C

A slight temperature drop at night encourages blooming. Avoid placing orchids near heating vents, air-conditioning units or draughty windows where temperature fluctuates dramatically.

Humidity Requirements

Orchids prefer 40-70% humidity, higher than typical indoor environments. Increase humidity by:

• Placing orchids on humidity trays filled with pebbles and water (ensure the pot sits above water level)
• Grouping plants together to create a microclimate
• Using a room humidifier during dry months
• Misting aerial roots lightly (avoid flowers and leaves)

Feeding Your Orchid

Orchids are light feeders compared to other houseplants.

Fertiliser type: Use orchid-specific fertiliser or a balanced houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength.

Feeding schedule: Fertilise every 2-3 weeks during active growth and blooming, reducing to monthly during dormancy.

Application method: Apply fertiliser to damp growing medium, never to dry roots, which can cause burning.

The saying "weekly, weakly" summarises orchid feeding well – light, regular feeding produces better results than occasional heavy applications.

After Flowering Care

When blooms fade, proper care encourages reblooming.

Cutting the Flower Spike

You have two options:

Cut above a node (the small bumps on the spike) to encourage a secondary bloom from that point. This produces flowers more quickly but they're typically smaller.

Cut the entire spike at the base to encourage the plant to produce a new, fuller spike. This takes longer but results in more impressive blooms.

Rest Period

After flowering, orchids enter a rest period. Continue regular care but reduce fertiliser frequency. Most orchids rebloom within 6-12 months with proper care.

Repotting Orchids

Repot orchids every 1-2 years or when:

• The growing medium breaks down and becomes compacted
• Roots grow extensively outside the pot
• The plant becomes unstable in its container

Repotting Process

Timing: Repot after flowering, when new root growth appears.

Medium: Use orchid-specific bark mix, not regular potting soil.

Pot size: Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root mass. Orchids prefer snug containers.

Drainage: Ensure pots have adequate drainage holes.

Common Problems and Solutions

Yellow Leaves

One or two yellow leaves annually is normal. Multiple yellow leaves indicate overwatering or insufficient light.

Wrinkled Leaves

Dehydration causes wrinkled, accordion-like leaves. Increase watering frequency slightly and check that roots are healthy.

No Blooms

Insufficient light is the most common cause. Move to a brighter location and ensure the plant experiences slight night-time temperature drops.

Root Issues

Healthy orchid roots are firm and green or silvery. Brown, mushy roots indicate overwatering and require immediate repotting with fresh medium.

Choosing Quality Orchids

Starting with a healthy orchid significantly improves your success.

Look for:

• Firm, bright green leaves without blemishes
• Healthy root systems visible through clear pots
• Multiple buds on the flower spike
• Sturdy, upright growth
• No signs of pests or disease

At Susan Avery Flowers and Events, our premium potted orchids are carefully selected for quality and health, giving you the best foundation for long-term success.

Why Orchids Make Excellent Gifts

Understanding how to care for orchids indoors reveals why they're exceptional gifts:

Longevity: Blooms last 2-3 months, far exceeding cut flowers.

Elegance: Sophisticated appearance suits homes and offices.

Low maintenance: Weekly watering and minimal feeding required.

Reblooming potential: With proper care, orchids flower year after year.

Air-purifying qualities: Orchids improve indoor air quality.

Professional Orchid Care from Susan Avery

With over forty years of experience working with premium orchids, we understand what makes these elegant plants thrive. Our orchids are sourced from reputable growers and arrive in optimal condition, ready to flourish in your care.

Whether you're purchasing an orchid for yourself or as a thoughtful gift, our premium orchid collection offers exceptional quality and lasting beauty.

For personalised orchid care advice or to discuss our orchid selection, contact our team. We're always happy to share our expertise and help you succeed with these remarkable plants.