Now that you’ve taken home a beautiful orchid plant, how do you care for it? Contrary to popular belief, orchids are not hard to grow.

One of the most popular orchids that people come in to English Gardens to find is the Phalaenopsis. Our orchid expert, Meg Gallagher, has given us some great tips on ensuring the longevity of your Phalaenopsis orchid:

• First things first – Purchasing your orchid: To get the most flower power from your orchid, look for orchids that only have one or two flowers open, with a few cracking and a few in a tight bud stage.  By doing this, you will have continuous flowers until the orchid is done blooming which can be 2-4 months versus an orchid that is purchased all bloomed out may only warrant 1 month of flowers!
• Be careful if purchasing an orchid off the sales floor, and if it is in a plastic sleeve.  Orchids need air flow for optimum health, and the plastic sleeve dramatically hinders air flow.
• If it is cold outside when you make your purchase, be sure to have the orchid wrapped in a plant wrap to protect it from the cold.  Phalaenopsis, for example, do not like it when it is below 50 degrees.
• Orchids need bright light to survive.  Keep you orchid in a clear grower pot.  This allows light to filter through. Stay away from direct sunlight though, because it will burn the flowers and foliage!
• Do not repot your orchid in soil.  Orchids are air plants and do not need soil to grow and thrive! Orchids generally have a potting medium (orchid bark) in the pot that soaks up moisture to keep the orchid watered!
• Even though your orchid does not need soil to thrive, it does need water!  There is no magic formula as to how many times you should water.  Water when your orchid just dries out.  Your orchid should be watered thoroughly.  The best way to water is to water until water runs freely from the holes in its grower pot.
• A side note – Orchids generally have a potting medium (orchid bark) in the pot that soaks up moisture to keep the orchid watered!
• When choosing a decorative container for your orchid, the choice is yours, but the orchid will perform better in a traditional orchid pot that has holes for breathing room!
• Fertilize your orchid twice a month with an orchid fertilizer for a healthier plant and longer lasting blooms.
• Phalaenopsis can bloom two or three times a year, but it is important to note that the plant needs to continue to make new leaves at the same time of flowering.  Without new leaf growth, your orchid will not survive.
• Most importantly – Don’t forget to enjoy this truly tantalizing plant! 

By following the tips above, you will be successful with your orchid! Click here to watch our video on caring for orchids. 

English Gardens 15th Annual Orchid Festival is Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, 2017.  Click here to see our schedule of events for the day!