What Kind of Orchid 

If you are choosing an orchid to be a permanent member of your plant collection, make sure you choose the right one for your home environment.

Light- If you have low light levels in your home, you will probably have a problem re-flowering most orchids.  Make sure you have adequate light for the orchid you choose.  (See Six Easiest Orchids to Grow)

Watering- If you are not consistent with your watering schedule or tend to neglect plants, choose those that are more forgiving.

Flowering Habit - How long flowers last or how frequently they re-flower.  You may be choosing between flowers that last 2-3 months once a year or flowers that last 4-6 weeks 2-3 times a year.

Healthy Plants - To get the most out of your orchid's flowers, it is important to start with a healthy plant.  Make sure the leaves and pseudo-bulbs are firm and green and the flowers appear fresh.

What is a pseudo-bulb - A thickened portion at the base of the stem of many orchids which functions as a water and food storage device.

Orchid Care

Watering- One thorough watering every 7 days is usually adequate for most orchids. Most orchids prefer a slight drying period between watering.

Let the water run freely through the pot for several moments. It takes a few moments for the root surface to begin absorbing moisture. This also flushes out any salt or mineral build up in the pots.

Never, Never, Never   let orchids stand in water for prolonged periods of time. It is the best way to send them to an early grave.  More people kill orchids by over watering than any other means.

As you expand your orchid knowledge, and possibly your orchid collection, you will learn that for every rule there are always exceptions. A reputable grower will always advise you of the needs of your purchase, so ask questions.

Fertilizing- For the majority of orchids, a good water soluble plant fertilizer is more than adequate. Even proportions are the best (10-10-10, 15-15-15, 20-20-20). Feed evenly throughout the year at least once a month, preferably weekly after each watering.

Re-potting - Reasons for re-potting:

Potting Mix Needs to Be Refreshed
Pots and bark retain salts and minerals from water and fertilizers. Bark breaks down and becomes too dense, retains too much water, inhibits air circulation and encourages bacteria growth. This will eventually lead to unhealthy roots and root rot.

Overgrown Plant
Plants have overgrown the pot and became cumbersome. Plants need old pseudo-bulbs and dead roots removed to encourage new growth and eliminate areas where bacteria can cause rotting.

When to Re-pot
Generally spring to late summer is the best time to re-pot, when new growth and roots are emerging. As a guide, orchids should be re-potted every two years or if they have over grown their pots.