Orchid Care

Indoor Orchid Care

Orchids are some of the most commonly grown houseplants. Provided they have proper growing conditions, it isn’t difficult to learn how to take care of orchid plants. Keep reading to get some indoor orchid care tips.

How Do I Take Care of an Orchid Flower?

Care of indoor orchid plants is easy once you learn how to grow them properly. These interesting flowers can be found in a range of colors and sizes depending on the variety. They make excellent accent plantings to nearly any home décor. Orchids require little care once all their basic needs are met such as light, temperature, and humidity.

Orchid Growing Tips

Most orchids require moist, well-draining conditions. There are several types of growing media that can be used with orchid plants—redwood or fir bark, sphagnum peat moss, rocks, cork, charcoal, sand, potting soil, etc. A basic mix for growing orchids consists of coarse perlite, fir bark, and sphagnum moss. You can also add charcoal but this is optional. Generally, the grade of bark is dependent on the type of orchid grown. For instance, phalaenopsis orchids are usually grown in coarse bark, cattleyas in medium bark, and young orchid plants are best grown in fine bark. Orchids require shallow planting. Place orchids in an east to south-facing window or room. These plants prefer bright, indirect light. Insufficient light results in poor flowering. However, too much light can lead to leaf scorch. Temperature is also important for indoor orchid care. While orchids tolerate cooler or warmer temperatures throughout their normal growing season, they need to be about 15 degrees cooler at night than during the day in order to bloom sufficiently.

Indoor Orchid Care Tips

Orchids need ample water but should be allowed to dry out some between waterings. One way to check for watering is by poking your finger about an inch into the growing media. If it’s dry, give it some water; otherwise, let it be. Indoor orchid plants also need adequate humidity, about fifty to seventy percent. There are various ways to increase the humidity in your home. Place a water-filled saucer or tray of pebbles beneath plants, mist plants daily, or use a humidifier. Fertilize orchids weekly or bi-weekly while they are producing new growth and decrease to monthly or bi-monthly intervals once they mature. Discontinue altogether once the plants go dormant. Additional orchid care tips include repotting, which is normally done every other year. If your orchids suddenly stop blooming but have suitable light, temperature, and humidity, then repotting may be necessary. Also keep an eye out for signs of pests or disease. Orchids are occasionally affected by mealybugs, scale, and aphids. These can usually be washed off or treated with insecticidal soap.

Caring for Vanda falcata (The Wind Orchid)

Vanda falcata, the wind orchid, is a species of orchid found in China, Korea, and Japan. It was formerly classified in the monotypic genus Neofinetia.

风兰 (feng lan) China (N Fujian, S Gansu, SW Hubei, W Jiangxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang) 

풍란 (pungnan) Korea

風蘭 (fūran) Japan (Honshu from the Kantō region westwards; Shikoku; Kyushu; and Ryukyu Islands.)

Traditional cultivated chimeric and monstrous forms in Japan are known under the name of 富貴蘭 (fūkiran). N. falcata usually grows as an epiphyte on the branches and trunks of deciduous trees. This means the plants receive high levels of light during the months of winter and early spring (2000~3600 fc.), an important factor in the number of blooms produced. The orchids grow at angles to the branches of their host, which allows water to drain away quickly after rains, thus avoiding bacterial rot. Numerous whitish roots grow from the base of the plant, anchoring it to its host and collecting nutrients washed down from above. These roots are accustomed to excellent air movement. An adult in an optimal situation will produce numerous offsets.

Within N. falcata's range summer temperatures average 26–31 °C. during the day and 18–23 °C. at night. Average humidity is 80–85% in summer, and about 75% during the rest of the seasons. Plants receive heaviest rainfall during East Asian rainy season: June and July in southern Japan. Blooming time is usually synchronized with the monsoon, although plants may very occasionally bloom as late as December.