Orchids are beautiful houseplants. Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are one of the most widely found varieties in the UK. You’ll likely see it everywhere. Moth orchids’ popularity has spurred other varieties of orchids into more widespread cultivation as houseplants. These include Dendrobium orchids, Paphiopedilum orchids, Oncidium orchids, Vanda hybrid orchids, and Cambria hybrids; all easily maintained within most homes for dramatic displays of exotic blooms.
How to Care for Orchids
Most orchids need bright but indirect lighting – an east or west-facing windowsill is often ideal – without too much direct sun as too much light can scorch the leaves and your orchid’s leaves. Additionally, since most indoor orchids come from humid, tropical regions, they need humidity, while in most centrally heated homes the air tends to be dry so misting their foliage every two or three days with tepid water mister (avoid spraying flowers!) or placing their potted pot on a tray of damp gravel for best results.
Follow our essential orchid care tips, to ensure your orchids flower and flourish for many years to come.
Growing Orchids:
Most orchids require bright but indirect light; however Vanda orchids require full sunlight. An east- or west-facing windowsill provides ideal conditions for orchids with light requirements of this nature; too much sun could scorch their leaves.
Moth orchids thrive best at an average temperature of 18degC and should therefore be grown indoors all year.
Dendrobium, Cymbidium and Oncidium orchids require a minimum night-time temperature of 10degC to flourish successfully; as such they should be moved outdoors during summer to a location away from direct sunlight for care.
How to Plant Orchids
When growing moth orchids (Phalaenopsis), clear containers should be used so the green roots of these orchids can photosynthesize, while Dendrobium and Cymbidium orchids don’t require this feature as their roots don’t photosynthesize either. Vanda orchids don’t require any containers at all and may even be suspended from wires as vases without needing pots at all!
As using specialist orchid compost can take more time for it to dry out and could potentially cause root rot, it is wise not to over-pot orchids.
Care of Orchid Houseplants
Most orchid house plants hail from humid, tropical regions and thrive best when exposed to humid air. As central heating can leave homes’ air dry, misting is recommended every two to three days with warm water; do not spray directly onto flowers as this could mark their petals and stain the petals permanently.
Overwatering orchids is the number one killer of these beautiful blooms, so to prevent accidentally giving too much, lift the pot first to check if it feels heavy before watering only when necessary. Showy Vanda orchids grown without compost require special watering instructions: fill up their vase daily during summer, then empty out after half an hour.
To water moth orchids properly, evaluate their roots. Avoid watering if these appear green; wait until they turn silvery instead before watering again. Apply orchid fertilizer from spring until autumn.
Orchid roots are particularly prone to root rot, so they must never sit in water. You can water orchids either by submerging the whole container in water and then draining off or by watering from above with tepid rainwater; both methods should work just as effectively.
How to Repot an Orchid | Repotting a Moth Orchid
In general, orchids do not require regular repotting as they often thrive when root-bound. Every two or three years it’s wise to remove your orchid from its pot and carefully remove as much compost as possible before replanting them with new orchid compost if the current pot won’t fit – you might even choose something larger if necessary!
When potting and repotting orchids, it’s wise to use plastic pots. Terracotta pots could allow the roots of your orchid to affix themselves to the surface, making repotting harder in the future.
How to Get Moth Orchids Blooming Again?
Attach the flowering stem of a moth orchid by tying in its floral stem. This will encourage it to flower again.
Orchid Care to Encourage Moth Orchid to Flower Again Once all the flowers have fallen off a moth orchid, cut off its stem just above a visible joint (node). This should stimulate the production of another flower stem which should then be clipped off to support. If no shoot appears and the original stem turns straw-colored then remove at the base; most other orchids don’t bloom twice on one stem so remove any spent stems immediately.
Orchids are grown for their flowers, so they must be deadheaded correctly to encourage further blooming. Moth orchids bloom multiple times on one stem; faded blooms should be cut off just above the next flower bud while other orchids require you to cut away old stems down.
Growing Orchids: Pests and Diseases to Consider
Mealybugs on orchid foliage Scale insects and mealybugs are two of the most frequently seen orchid pests, often appearing as sticky leaves, nearby surfaces, or black sooty mold. Scale insects typically favor leaf surfaces above and below flower stalks while mealybugs favor new leaves; both types can easily be removed using soapy sponge cleaning, while an insecticide may also be applied, either manually or via spray.
Unless your orchid has multiple healthy leaves that you could transplant in their place, do not separate the damaged leaves.
FAQs:
Q1. How to keep an orchid alive indoors?
- Provide indirect light,
- Maintain high humidity, and
- Ensure good air circulation.
Q2. How often should we water orchids?
You should water orchids every 7-10 days.
Q3. Do orchids need sunlight?
Yes, orchids need bright and indirect sunlight.