How do you care for an orchid?

Someone got me an orchid, and I have no idea how to care for it (how often to water it, how much water to put it in, etc). Flowers usually die when they're left in my care, so I don't want that happening this time. Any tips would be appreciated :o)

How do you care for an orchid?
Growing Orchids - Rules

Growing orchids is really not much different from growing any other type of houseplant. Most orchids will thrive in your home if you follow a few basic plant care rules when growing orchids.



Growing Orchids - Rule #1

Don't overwater. Over watering kills more orchids and houseplants than anything else!



Growing Orchids - Rule #2

Provide the right amount of light for the variety of orchid you're growing.



Growing Orchids - Rule #3

Keep the temperature in an acceptable range.



Growing Orchids - Rule #4

Use a balanced fertilizer when feeding orchids



Growing Orchids - Rule #5

Keep the humidity high. Orchids like 40%-70% humidity.



Growing Orchids - Rule #6

Orchids like Good air movement.



Growing orchids is much like growing any other blooming houseplant. But remember most orchids are epiphytes, which means they draw moisture through their leaves, not their roots and are planted in orchid bark, lava rock, or mounted on pieces of bark. Don't plant orchids in soil unless you know they are the are the terrestrial type.



Growing Orchids - Light

A bright window with indirect sunlight all day is ideal for growing orchids. Generally 36 inches away from a south window is best. Plants should be placed in an east, south or west window and protected from direct noonday sun. Orchids also grow and bloom well under artificial fluorescent lighting. Artificial lighting is an option that makes sense in many situations for growing orchids. If you wish to grow under lights, provide artificial light only during daylight hours to initiate flower buds during the proper season. For best results, use wide spectrum fluorescent tubes such as grow lights. Warm and cool white tubes used together are also satisfactory. Lights should be on at least 12 hours per day. However, flowering will be improved in plants receiving natural and artificial light versus artificial light alone.



Read the leaves. Pay attention to your orchid's foliage to learn if the light you are providing is right. If new leaves are lush, soft and darker in color than the mature leaves, the plant is not getting enough light. Plants won't flower if the light is too low. Foliage that is stunted, hard and yellow indicates the light is too bright.





Growing Orchids - Temperature

Growing orchids generally require the same temperature range as houseplants. Daytime highs in the 70's and nighttime lows of 55-65oF will keep orchids and houseplants growing happily. Plants grow faster in higher temperatures but they also need more humidity and air movement when it's hot. All varieties tolerate higher temperatures in hot summer weather, but additional shade and misting is necessary to keep them cool.



To initiate flower spikes, provide nighttime temperatures to 55 degrees F for several weeks in the fall. An occasional drop below the recommended night temperature norm during the colder months will not harm the plants.



Avoid exposing plants to fluctuating temperatures as the buds develop or the buds may drop just as they are ready to open. Good ventilation is essential. Air movement around your orchids helps to prevent diseases. Good cross-ventilation is usually sufficient, but keep plants away from drafty, cold windows.



During the summer months, you can place growing orchids outdoors, after the danger of frost has passed, usually by the end of May. Orchids flourish outdoors on a porch or under a tree if they are raised off the ground to receive light and ample sun. If the temperature rises to around 90°F, mist the leaves several times a day to avoid sunburn.



Growing Orchids - Watering

Proper watering is critical to successfully growing orchids. Over watering will rot the plant's roots, causing it to die. Depending on your climate and the season, frequency of watering may range from every other day to every 10 days. In general, water once a week. Orchids growing in clay pots may need more frequent watering. Don't allow bark around orchids roots to dry completely. Nor should the plant's roots stand in water. Add enough water each time to run out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. (I actually soak mine in a bucket of water for a couple of hours then allow them to drain completly.)



When you do water, flush the growing medium with water until excess runs out the drainage hole. The best time to water is morning so that leaves are dry by nightfall, making them less prone to disease. Use tepid water to keep terrestrial orchids moist below the surface of the media. Allow epiphytic orchids to dry out below the surface between watering. A soil amendment (a weak fertilizersolution) can be added each time you water to help maintain healthy roots.



Growing Orchids - Humidity

Growing orchids like high humidity, usually between 40%-70%. Most homes are too dry for growing orchids, especially in winter. Use a humidifier or put plants on gravel in trays containing water. The easiest way to increase humidity around the plants is to set the pots on pebbles with water in a tray or saucer. The evaporating water makes the air around the plants more humid. The pot should not sit in the water but be raised above the water level by the stones. Decorative rocks may be used for a more pleasing appearance. Growing Orchids may also be misted with distilled water to raise humidity levels.



Growing Orchids - Fertilizer

Orchids are generally considered to be light feeders do not require abundant doses of fertilizer. But all orchids need to be lightly fertilized. Growing Orchids thrive if fed regularly during the growing season.



Hope this helps. :)
Reply:Place the orchid (pot and all) in a shallow bowl with rocks or gravel (clean) in the bottom and fill it with water to the top of the rocks. This will help provide the orchid with the humid environment it likes. Keep it in moderate light - no direct light or it will burn. While it's flowering it's best to keep it darker than lighter - the flower will last longer. Water it sparingly - orchids don't need tons of water - just once a week should be plenty, just try to keep water on the rocks underneath it.



The green part of the orchid is very easy to keep alive - most people tend to throw out the orchid when the bloom is done. But the greens are very hardy and will survive a long time - the tough part is getting the orchid to re-bloom. I'd give you instructions but I think you'd be better off getting a book from the library to look up the specific conditions that your particular orchid needs - some varieties bloom easier than others.



Good luck and enjoy the beautiful bloom while it lasts! And the pretty greens after!

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