How do I care for a miniature potted orchid. I just received one as a gift but no care instructions?

they need warmth and humidity do not put in direct sun light and keep the compost moist.

How do I care for a miniature potted orchid. I just received one as a gift but no care instructions?
put in indirect sunlight, like a bright room...but not by a sunny window.



water it two to three times a week, depending on the temperatures.



give it orchid food, maybe once every two weeks, that you mix into the water...you can find it at Lowe's or Home Depot.



Re-pot it every year before it blooms into a similar Orchid planting mix into a bigger pot.
Reply:I put mine in direct sunlight. (But I had a tag that stated direct. The best thing to do is test it and see how it does.) I shoved half of a cheapie fertilizer plant stick into the soil. After a while, I had to cut off a dead leaf, but it grew a new one right away. I only water it about once a week - and even then it leaks out of the bottom on the pot. I probably give it about 1/2 cup of water. Mine has produced two stems with five buds total (so far.... I hope.)



You don't need to buy any of those fancy orchid pots or orchid food, soil, etc, so it to grow, unless you want to. Regular potting soil and regular plant food (if you please) work just fine.



All that said.... your orchid IS in soil, right? There are some varieties that are soil-less........ different story.
Reply:I think you pretty much have to have full spectrum gro lights to be successful in the winter time. My son in law is good with them...he keeps them reblooming all the time in zone 8 by putting them in the garage under gro lights....then brings them in the house for a while to enjoy......search for care of orchids indoors
Reply:Orchids in nature grow protected from the tropical sun by the shades of trees. Under controlled condition the orchids can be grown in specially designed orchidaria or orchid houses, running North and South and made from materials like split bamboo, glass, shadenets, etc. A central tank filled with water or by using artificial fogging nozzles helps in increasing humidity .However, it must be clear that all types of orchids cannot be grown under one roof. While tropical orchid enjoy humid, warm atmosphere and burst into activity during rainy season, temperate orchid should be growing in cool houses. Orchids dislike sudden change in temperature, however a difference of 10 C - 20 C between day and night temperature is beneficial. The best suitable range is 18 C to 30 C, proper ventilation is must to provide fresh air and also helps in reducing the temperature.
Reply:I revived a dying Orchid last year. I put it in a room with plenty of light, but not direct sunlight and gave it a few drops of water every couple of days. I was really pleased when it started to grow again, it was almost dead to begin with. Good luck
Reply:I answered a similar question from someone who wasn't sure whether to cut off a stem on his/hers, to get continued flowering. Here's some of that answer :



Depends on which type of Orchid that you have, - visit a nursery to compare it with those on sale, to then find specific care guidance there or elsewhere. (eg. Ask on yahoo again)



Many orchids prefer longer days - to get more sunlight, than the UK has in the winter, to really flourish. I sometimes leave a bright light on to give them a bit more. Beware of harsh bright light and drafts tho. Some of them are tropical, others prefer some cool, in order to initiate flowers well.



Phalaenopsis - the moth orchid - is the most popular orchid sold today. It has many varieties and is often sold as a miniature.



Watering - I immerse most of my orchids in room temperature clean filtered or tap water (dunk em), almost to the level of the potting medium - sometimes bark chips or compost. Anything from 30 seconds to about 10 minutes, about once a week. I increase this in very very hot summer conditions to around 1.5 to 2 times a week. I feed in summer, every couple of weeks, with a weak organic liquid feed. You can also buy feeds specific to orchids, online or in nurseries. I also feed when they are in flower, as flowering is a major effort for plants.



I also leave saucers of water, with some small stones standing in it, around the plants - this increases the humidity of the air around the plants. Many orchids grow in humid areas and modern centrally heated homes can be too dry, resulting in poorer growth, dried leaves etc.



Many, but not all, orchids are somewhat tropical, needing lots of sun and warmth to generate new flowers. My Cymbidiums and Oncidiums flower better after time outdoors and some coolness (not freezing). There are also orchids that can grow in your garden in the UK, or with mimimum protection , just as wild ones do here. I assume that you do not have 1 of these.



Good luck, and come back with more questions if you can discover which type of Orchid you have. Rob
Reply:Potted, Moist; 2-3 waterings per week(let dry slightly between waterings)