To be successful with your Orchid, it’s best to replicate its natural conditions. With our helpful guide to Orchids, you will be growing these beautiful house plants in no time.

Light

Orchids need sufficient lighting to bloom. Orchids should receive bright, indirect light. Foliage should be a lush, dark green. However, too much light can burn the plant.

When grown under minimal lighting, they will have yellow-green foliage. This is often considered the most common reason for Orchid failure.

Air

Air circulation is important. Orchid pots with specially designed holes or slits in the sides provide much-needed air to the plant’s roots.

The growing medium should be porous, well drained and somewhat moisture retentive. Depending on the variety of your Orchid, select from three different soil formulas:

• Better-Gro Special Orchid Mix, is ideal for growing Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Paphiopedilums and Oncidiums. It is a mix of western fir bark, hardwood charcoal and sponge rock.
• If you’re growing Phalaenopsis orchids, try Better-Gro Phalaenopsis Mix, which contains western fir bark, hardwood charcoal and coarse perlite. This mixture helps retain the proper amount of fertilizer and moisture to keep your plant blooming season after season.
• For Dendrobium orchids, use Better-Gro Dendrobium Mix, which contains porous lava rock, western fir bark, hardwood charcoal and coarse perlite.

Water

Allow Orchids to dry out between waterings. To determine when it’s time to water again, insert the sharpened lead tip of a pencil into the growing medium. If the lead darkens, then the plant has sufficient water. When watering your Orchid, water it copiously so that the water drains out the holes. This will also help flush out any accumulating salts.

Increase humidity around your Orchid by placing it on a tray of pebbles and water. Ensure it is not sitting in water. 

Fertilizer

Fertilize orchids every week with a weak solution, one-quarter to one-half of manufacturer’s recommendations. For a customized program, switch to high nitrogen (30-10-10) fertilizer, such as Better Gro Orchid Plus Plant Food, during the growing season (April thru September) and use blossom booster (10-30-20), such as Better Gro Better Bloom, from October through March.

Orchid Fun Facts

• The world’s largest Orchid can grow up to 20 meters long.
• Every Orchid flower is bilateral symmetric, meaning it can be divided in two equal parts.
• According to fossil records, Orchids have existed for over 100 million years.
• Orchids are available in every imaginable color, except black.

Watch our video: Orchid Care

For more information on caring for your orchids, visit any English Gardens location and talk with an expert.