General Orchid Care

[fal-uh-nop-sis] Asia

Position:

Provide a spot near a window with no direct sun. Bright but diffused light is best. Avoid drafty areas or places near heating/cooling vents.

Watering:

Water as potting media approaches dryness, yet never let orchid sit in water. If there is no drain hole in pot, tip all excess water from pot after watering. Avoid water sitting in the “crown” of the plant.

TEMP:

Nights 50-65 and Days 75-85 degrees is idea with a day/night differential of at least 10 degrees. Cooler nights in the Fall/Winter can initiate flowering.

FERTILIZING:

Year around with a fertilizer that provides Macro as well as Micro nutrients. If your unsure; 1/2 strength every week is safe.

REPOTTING:

Repot as media breaks down or plant visibly outgrows its pot- usually every 2 years is sufficient. Use a well draining media and provide a pot just large enough for the roots. Try to error on the side of under-potting.

[on-sid-ee-uhm] (Central and South America)

POSITION: Provide a spot near a window with bright light yet shield from midday direct sun. Avoid drafty areas or places near heating/cooling vents. Not enough light is usually the result of poor growth or no flowering.

WATERING: Water as potting media approaches dryness while in growth, and let dry between watering in the darker/cooler months. If there is no drain hole in the pot, tip all excess water from pot after watering. Never allow orchid to sit in water.

TEMP: Nights 50-60 and Days 75-85 degrees is ideal with a day/night differential of at least 10 degrees. Cooler nights in the Fall/Winter can help initiate flowering.

FERTILIZING: Year around with a fertilizer that provides macro as well as micro nutrients. If your unsure, 1/2 strength every week is safe.

REPOTTING: Repot as media breaks down or plant visibly outgrows its pot- usually every 2 years is sufficient. Use a well draining media and provide a pot just large enough for the roots. Try to error on the side of under-potting.

[den-droh-bee-uhm] Asia

POSITION: Provide a spot near a window with bright light yet shield from midday direct sun. Avoid drafty areas or places near heating/cooling vents. Not enough light is usually the cause of poor growth or no flowering.

WATERING: Water as a potting media approaches dryness while in growth, and let dry between watering in the darker/cool months. If there is no drain hole in pot, tip all excess water from pot after watering. Never allow orchid to sit in water.

TEMP: Nights 50-65 and Days 75-85 degrees is idea with a day/night differential of at least 10 degrees. Cooler nights in the Fall/Winter can initiate flowering.

FERTILIZING: Year around with a fertilizer that provides Macro as well as Micro nutrients. If your unsure; 1/2 strength every week is safe.

REPOTTING: Repot as media breaks down or plant visibly outgrows its pot- usually every 2 years is sufficient. Use a well draining media and provide a pot just large enough for the roots. Try to error on the side of under-potting.

[paf-ee-oh-ped-a-lum] Asia

POSITION: Provide a spot near a window with no direct sun. Bright, yet diffused light is best. Avoid drafty areas or places near heating/cooling vents.

WATERING: Water as potting media approaches dryness. Never allow to become completely dry, yet never let orchid sit in water. If there is no drain hole in the pot, tip all excess water from pot after watering. Avoid water sitting in the “crown” of the plant.

TEMP: Nights 50-60 and Days 75-85 degrees is ideal with a day/night differential of at least 10 degrees.

FERTILIZING: Year around with a fertilizer that provides Macro as well as Micro nutrients. If your unsure, 1/2 strength every week is safe.

REPOTTING: Repot annually, slipper orchids do not tolerate old potting media well. Use a free draining media that holds moisture and provides a pot just large enough for the roots.

[sim-bid-ee-um] Asia

POSITION: Provide a sunny spot near a window. Bright diffused light is best. Avoid drafty areas or places near heating/AC vents. Cymbidiums need sufficient light to grow & flower well.

WATERING: When in growth or flower, water as potting media approaches dryness. Never allow to become completely dry yet never let orchid sit in water. If no growth in evident, allow media to dry between waterings. If pseudo-bulbs become too shriveled increase frequency. If there is no drain hole in pot, tip all excess water from pot after watering. Make sure to run copious amounts of water through pot.

TEMP: Nights 40-55 and Days 75-85 degrees is ideal with a day/night differential of at least 10 degrees. In the Fall, allow the plant to experience a few weeks of nighttime temps in the 40’s to initiate flowering.

FERTILIZING: Year around with a fertilizer that provides Macro as well as Micro nutrients. If your unsure, 1/2 strength every week is safe.

REPOTTING: Repot only when you see new growth/roots. Use a free draining semi-decomposed or terrestrial media that holds moisture and provide a pot just large enough for 2 years growth.

[kat-lee-ah] Central and South America

POSTION: Provide a sunny spot near a window. Bright diffused light is best. Avoid drafty areas or places near heating/AC vents. Cattleyas need sufficient light to grow & flower well. Poor growth or no flowering is usually the indication of poor light.

WATERING: Water as potting media approaches dryness, yet never let orchid sit in water. If there is no drain in pot, tip all excess water from pot after watering.  

TEMP: Between 65 and 80 degrees is ideal with a day/night differential of at least 10 degrees. Cooler nights in the Fall/Winter helps to initiate flowering.

FERTILIZING: Year around with a fertilizer that provides Macro as well as Micronutrients. If unsure, 1/2 strength every week is safe.

REPOTTING: Repot as media breaks down or plant visibly outgrows its pot- usually every 2 years is sufficient. Use a well draining media and provide a pot just large enough for the roots. Try to error on the side of under-potting.