Orchids are best suited to a site that has bright, indirect light. An eastern exposure is ideal, although a northern window will work, too. Avoid placing your orchid in a south-facing window unless it will be set back away from the window and shaded by other plants. Or, cover the window with a sheer curtain.

When the plant is in flower, you can put it anywhere in the house. Be sure to move it back to the proper lighting when it’s done flowering.

To get your orchid to flower, you need to fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer, such as any 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 fertilizer. Water the orchid weekly, and fertilize every other week.

When you water, soak the plant for a couple of minutes, then drain the water. Never let it sit in water. Over watering is the most common cause of death. Also avoid getting water in the crown to prevent crown rot. If you water in the morning on a sunny day and water gets in the crown, it should dry out and be fine.

Repot your orchid yearly as soon as it’s done flowering. Repotting doesn’t mean increasing the pot size. Examine the plant’s roots and leaves. Often the soil just needs to be changed.

Many of our customers have orchids that are 15 or 20 years old. With some attention, you, too, can enjoy an orchid in your home for many years.

The next time you visit, please ask us for a growing sheet for your orchid. These sheets have detailed cultural requirements, including temperature and fertilizer.

Some orchids need cold weather to set flowers

Many people are unsure of when to bring their orchids back into the house after a summer outside. Here are some guidelines.

Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) set their flower spikes in the fall. They require two weeks of warm daytime temperatures and night temperatures in the 50s. A common mistake is bringing them in too early.

Cymbidiums can’t tolerate frost, but they need temperatures in the upper 30s to set their flower spikes.

Cattleyas aren't temperature dependent to bloom. Bring them in when temperatures drop below 60 F.

Watch the weather, and bring in your orchids if frost is in the forecast. If the weather warms back up again for an Indian summer, then bring the orchid back outside until cold weather returns.