Growing Orchids requires attention to detail

By Loanne Harms Michiana Master Gardener

Orchids offer us unusual forms and beauty, but their upkeep can sometimes be confusing. While there are many orchid species to choose from, they all have similar physical characteristics. Orchids are easy to spot because of their tall, gently curving stems that are covered with blooms in solid colors or speckles.

Caring for an orchid indoors has some fairly straightforward requirements that even beginners should be able to manage. Orchids require little care once all their basic needs are met such as light, temperature, and humidity.

The golden rule for orchid care indoors is to duplicate the plant’s natural conditions as closely as possible. In nature, most orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other objects, clinging to rough bark or even stone. And their roots are water-gathering organs that need fresh airflow to remain healthy. When you first obtain your orchid, it will likely be healthy and in bloom. However, many store-bought orchids are potted in the wrong conditions for long-term growth. They are usually sitting in plastic containers and packed tightly with moss around the roots, which can result in too much moisture.

Most orchids require moist, welldrained conditions, not in regular potting soil or potting mix. Common orchid mixes are light and porous and include bark, sphagnum moss, perlite, and peat. Use a pot that allows for good air flow, such as unglazed clay or a specialty orchid pot with built-in spaces. Orchids require shallow planting to allow for air flow. Never repot an orchid while it’s in bloom. Instead of repotting then, it’s better to back off on watering until it’s finished blooming.

Place orchids in an east to south-facing window or room. Insufficient light results in poor flowering. Orchids need bright light to produce blooms. However, direct sun can lead to leaf scorch. How much light is enough? The answer to this simple question is “as much as they will take without burning.” This means that the foliage should not be a lush, dark green. Orchids grown under sufficient light will have lighter, yellow-green foliage and strong upright growths.

Temperature is also important for indoor orchid care. While orchids tolerate cooler or warmer temperatures throughout their normal growing season, they need to be about 15 degrees (8 degrees C) cooler at night than during the day in order to bloom sufficiently. You can keep your orchid blooming longer if you provide a sufficiently warm and somewhat humid environment. Don’t place your orchid where it will experience cold drafts or exposure to heating vents. Dry air, direct heat, and chills are enemies of these delicate flowers.

Orchids need to dry out between waterings to prevent rot. One way to tell whether it’s time to water is if the growing medium feels dry to the touch and the pot feels light. Or look at the roots themselves. If they’re plump and white or green, that means they’re well-watered. If they’re shriveled and gray, they need water. And if they’re shriveled but spongey and black or brown, they could be rotting.

You’ll typically need to water twice a week in the warmer months when the plant is actively growing and only once a week in the colder months. Use room-temperature, distilled water, and water slowly until it flows out of the pot. Not only does this soak the potting medium but it also flushes salts that naturally accumulate. Without question, more orchids are killed by incorrect watering than by any other reason.

Feed with an orchid-specific fertilizer. Administer only when the plant is actively growing. Don’t fertilize in the winter. Plants can be fertilized once a week during the summer and every two weeks in the fall. Regardless of the fertilizer that you choose to use, use no more than ½ the label-recommended strength. It’s best to water first to wet the potting medium before you fertilize.

In general, remove faded orchid blooms to keep the plant from spending energy on old growth. After flowering is complete, you typically can cut off the flower spike. Proper pruning of old wood will make way for new blooms. When pruning an orchid, make sure your tool is sharp and sterilized. A clean cut will help to keep an orchid healthy. Some orchid species grow faster than others, but overall they have a relatively slow growth rate.

Most experienced growers will agree that observation is the most important key to growing orchids well. Examining your plants on a regular basis will allow you to adjust and correct any problems before they become severe. n