How do you care for an orchid?

I have several orchids as I find them beautiful but wondering should I cut them back when they've finished flowering or just leave them to rebud again, as one of mine is already doing after I thought it had died? Also, Is it preferable to leave them in transparent tubs and why is this?

How do you care for an orchid?
Consider how orchids grow in the wild: they cling to crooks between branches of trees or in peat moss, and their roots are not really in any soil.



The best thing for orchids is to be planted in orchid bark, but don't bury those tendrils that are probably sticking out of the pot. Doing so will possibly cause them to rot, killing the plant. Never plant in soil - use the orchid bark. If you are considering repotting only because these tendrils are sticking out of the pot, don't. If it's healthy now, it will be just fine with the tendrils overgrowing its pot.



When you water them (about once a week), soak their pot in a tub of water that's bigger than the pot. Completely submerge the pot to the top of the bark for about a half hour, letting the bark become soaked (the water retained in the bark is what the orchid feeds on). Let it drain completely after removing it from the water, before setting it in an outer pot or saucer. This prevents root rot. Once a month, use an orchid food (granules that are mixed into the water).



Don't cut any foliage off unless it's definitely dead. New foliage and/or flower buds will sprout from the base of the plant for the next year's growing cycle. Go ahead and cut off dead flower stems, though.



Orchids are actually pretty hardy little buggers. Probably the most important aspect of orchid care is how much light they need. Some need full, bright light all the time, while others need mostly shade or filtered, indirect light. And, getting it wrong could kill the plant or prevent it from flowering. If you know what type it is (you have the tag that has the scientific name on it), look up that type of orchid on the internet. You'll find all kinds of sites that show how to care for specific kinds of orchids.
Reply:i my self have orchid's and i was told that when they die off ( lose there petals) place them in a warm and moist room and leave them there until they flower again. leave the old stocks to dry out and they will fall off in their own time new ones will re flower. i ain't quite sure when we leave them in the clear pots but i like it. don't cut the air roots of and water them when they are dry and also in the warm moist room, used rain water if possible
Reply:No - you never 'cut back' an orchid like you would a rosebush.



It would help to know what species of orchid you have.



Look at the source - you may find your answer