Vindicated0411

So I just invested in an orchid. I absolutely love them. I have never really tried keeping an indoor plant before. So my question now. How to care properly for an indoor orchid? The label that came on it is not very helpful. I would really like to to see if I can get it to bloom and grow. I don't know what kind it is because the label is lacking that information. So tips for general orchid care. How oftern to water it, light exposure, fertilizer, potting size, particular potting soil? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I would love to end up seeing this thing grow instead of throwing it in the trash in a few weeks.

Sincerely,
"the undeveloped green thumb"

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newtx

Place in a sunny window with a tray of gravel under the pot. Using a clean spray bottle with water, mist the plant every couple of days. Water once a week during the winter and at least 2/3 times a week during spring and summer. Make sure the pot has good drainage because orchids can't take any standing water.

BadNick

Water spray is good, when I had orchids more than ten years ago (I was recently thinking of doing it again soon, they are so beautiful) I misted them every day since they like warm, humid air but not constantly wet soil. I had them in a glass window box facing southeast and they did very well. With the gravel filled tray under the pots, you can keep a very shallow layer of water down there just barely touching the bottom of the flower pot so the soil can wick up some moisture but the roots are not too wet.

I suggest googling to find more indepth info on soil and plant food; I know at our garden center they have packaged soil specifically for plants like orchids, as well as orchid food.

thingstodo

My wife used to place her bowl insert in a larger bowl of water once a week or so for about an hour. Her plants were great with tons of blooms and lasted a pretty long time! I'll check with her. She did keep them in the sunniest places in the house.

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MacGyver

i've had one for about 6 months now. i never sprayed it, just watered it once a week with the other plants i have. the plant seems healthy enough as it has grown several new leafs, (quite large ones too) but the flower/stem died about 2 months back and i'm not sure what to make of that. i figured it may just be a seasonal thing and hopefully it will come back in the spring. am i wrong in this or should it been able to bloom year around?

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BadNick

It doesn't sound like a more serious problem ...not sure though. In any case, I think it might be important to "feed" orchids so the soil has specific nutrients that promote flower growth.

clavus

MacGyver - Your dead orchid stem will return. It is seasonal.

A lot of orchids like sun, but not direct, afternoon sun. They like humidity. A bathroom window is a good place for them.

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