Do you have an orchid and are wondering how to water it? When should you repot it? How can you get it to bloom again?
You’ve come to the right place.
Working daily as a florist in a flower shop, the Orchid is my clients’ favorite indoor flowering plant. While it’s relatively easy to care for, it can be quite temperamental if you don’t know its specific needs!
Today, I’m excited to share the secrets of this beautiful plant with you, so you can enjoy it for a long time in your home and even watch it bloom again!
Orchids often have a reputation for being difficult to care for; however, some hybrids like the phalaenopsis are now well-suited to indoor environments. The key is to provide them with plenty of light while keeping them protected from direct sunlight. The room temperature should be between 60 and 75°F, and humidity levels should be high (bathroom, kitchen, or a room with a humidifier). Water your orchid with rainwater every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter, giving it a bath for about half an hour, and be sure to let it drain. Also, remember to repot it if necessary and check for any pests.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out!
- The perfect spot for an orchid
- Watering tips to keep it hydrated
- How to help it flower again, including pruning
- How to determine if it needs to be repotted and how to do it
- Tips for dealing with pests that may invade
Where Should I Place My Orchid in My Home?
Before arriving in our regions to enhance our homes, orchids are tropical plants that are accustomed to a climate very different from ours.
In addition, the Orchid is a plant genus that includes no less than 25,000 species! The most well-known is the Phalaenopsis: this hybrid is currently the most common in commercial markets. That said, despite this great diversity, most orchids have similar needs.
A Plant That Needs Lots of Light… 🌤️
This means providing them with a bright environment: in a temperate climate, they will thrive comfortably:
- Behind a window facing east or west in winter
- Behind a north-facing window in summer, or out of direct sunlight 🌞, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
⚠️ Indeed, exposure to the sun in the summer can seriously burn its leaves beyond recovery. If this happens, you’ll notice the leaves drying out, browning, or even turning yellow. Move it to a shaded area quickly to save it!
On the contrary, if it lacks light, it will lose its buds and produce very dark green flowers.
… and is sensitive to temperature changes! 🌡️
Since it originates from the tropics, the Orchid is not at all suited to the cold winter of temperate regions.
This explains why it is exclusively an indoor plant: when exposed to temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, its flowers wilt and die prematurely.
👉 To prevent any risk of cold damage to your plant during transport, make sure to protect it by putting it in a cardboard box or a specific packaging.
The orchid is also sensitive to drafts: this particularly affects its flowers as well.
Finally, she doesn’t like extreme heat either, though she tolerates it better than the cold, as long as she stays properly hydrated. The ideal temperature for an orchid is between 68 and 72°!
How to Water an Orchid? 💧
The orchid is not just any green plant; it is an epiphyte.
This means that in its natural state, it grows on trees with an aerial root system. This explains why it is rarely planted in soil and why it is important to take some precautions to ensure it is properly hydrated.
In fact, it is especially very sensitive to overwatering, as its roots dry out quickly in their natural environment.
What Irrigation Method Should Be Used?
First and foremost, it’s crucial not to water the heart of the plant directly, as this can lead to overwatering. Instead, you could give it a bath for at least half an hour, every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter, depending on the temperature and humidity of your home.
⚠️ This plant doesn’t like limestone or chlorine very much: for this reason, it will thrive better if you water it with rainwater.
👉 The enemy of this plant is more overwatering than drought. Be careful not to give it too much water: watch for any signs of root rot!
What Humidity Level is Best for an Orchid?
It’s a plant that thrives in a humid environment: it will grow best in a room with high humidity, such as a bathroom or kitchen.
If you like, you can also place it in a dish with wet clay balls, making sure that its roots do not touch the water.
Finally, you might also consider an electric humidifier, especially if you have a lovely collection of houseplants.
The optimal setting is to keep the humidity level between 60 and 70%. Your orchids will thank you!
👉 To increase humidity and water the plant at the same time, I recommend mist the leaves and roots with non-calcium water two to three times a week!
How to Prune It to Encourage Blooms Again?
To help it conserve energy for producing beautiful blooms again, I recommend pruning it after flowering.
To do this, you’ll need to cut the stem between the second and third nodes starting from the base. These are the bumpy sections on the stem that carry the flowers.
Your orchid may not immediately produce a new flower spike; in this case, it might instead grow some aerial roots. This is a sign of good health: these roots help the plant absorb moisture from the air. Be sure not to cut them or trap them in the pot!
When and How to Repot?
Depending on the type of Orchid you have, it will be either:
- in a clear pot, with a special substrate that resembles pieces of bark
- in an opaque pot, with a more traditional potting soil
If it is a Phalaenopsis, the most common and accessible orchid, it will be in the first type of pot.
In this case, you can follow the tips below for repotting. If it is in standard potting soil and a regular pot, simply repot it like any other houseplant by adding about ⅓ of orchid potting mix to your usual substrate.
Should I Repot My Orchid?
You don’t necessarily need to repot your plant every year. Repotting is warranted if:
Which Pot Should You Choose?
The aerial roots of the orchid have the incredible ability to capture light and convert it into nutrients for the plant.
This is part of a process called photosynthesis, which also allows for the transformation of carbon dioxide into oxygen.
This explains why most of these plants are sold in clear pots that let light through.
To provide it with an ideal environment for growth, choose a pot that meets the following criteria:
Which Potting Soil Should You Choose?
I recommend purchasing a potting mix specifically for orchids. This type of substrate, rich in pine bark, closely resembles the plant’s natural environment.
👉 You can also provide it with special Orchid fertilizer, especially between March and September, approximately every two weeks. You can find this product at garden centers or specialty stores.
How to Repot a Plant?
Here are the steps to follow:
🔸 Gently remove the plant from its original pot, taking care not to break the roots. Then carefully trim away any dried or rotted roots using a pair of sanitized scissors or pruning shears.
🔸 Fill the new pot about one-third full with special orchid potting mix. Place the plant in the center.
🔸 Finish filling the pot with this substrate, making sure to lightly compact it.
🔸 Water it after about 3 days. Your plant will be delicate for a few weeks: be careful not to expose it to direct sunlight or overwater it!
What Pests Attack Orchids?
Have you noticed small white masses on your orchid or some sort of brownish shells? Those are likely scale insects!
Their presence can also be detected by the appearance of the leaves: they become sticky and may even have spots that look like black mold.
To combat this harmful insect, isolate your plant and spray it daily for at least a week with a solution containing:
- 1 liter of water
- 5 tablespoons of black soap
- 10 centiliters of vinegar or 1 teaspoon of 70° or 90° alcohol
- Optional: 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Your orchids should quickly regain their health!
You now know how to take care of your orchids to keep them for years and enjoy many beautiful blooms!
Are you interested in floral decor to enhance your home and complement your plant collection? Or perhaps you want to brighten someone’s day with a thoughtful gift?
I invite you to check out our online boutique specializing in this area, where you will find flower crowns, eternal roses, and decorative flower walls…