The following thoughts on orchid care have been gained from a number of years of experience as an amateur orchid enthusiast and talking with other enthusiasts. If you have any tips you would like to share, be sure to call or email me.

First, every once in a while, give your orchid a good watering in the sink, letting the water flow through for a minute or so to flush out the media. Use room temperature water, perhaps from a gallon milk jug that has sat overnight.

Second, if you have had your orchid for over a year or two, it may be that it needs to be repotted. Pick up some media mix from your plant store, carefully remove the plant from the pot and shake out the old media, rinse the roots, cut off the dead roots and replace the plant into the pot while filling in the new media around and under the roots. Water it generously when done.

After your orchid has bloomed, you can do a couple of things with the spikes. After the blooms have dropped off, you can leave the spikes alone for a while. Keep on feeding your orchid as usual. Sometimes, the old spikes will generate new sprouts which will develop new blooms. If the old spikes do not develop new blooms, in all likelihood they will turn brown and die. In this case, take a sharp knife or gardening scissors and cut the old spikes off as near to the base as possible without nicking any leaves. Alternatively, you can remove the old spikes immediately and the plant will grow one or more new ones.

Third, spray the leaves and exposed roots as often as possible, at least several times per week with a dilute fertilizer solution (or just plain water).

Fourth, fertilize once per week with a dilute solution of fertilizer such as Watch Us Grow®, at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of water. Add enough solution so that a little drips out the bottom of the pot. Use plain water every fourth week to flush the media.

Fifth, make sure your orchid pot can drain well. Either hang it with a wire hanger, or put it in a saucer with gravel so any excess water can drain completely away from the bottom of the pot.

Six, avoid direct sunlight and direct air flow, such as from a furnace vent. Some airflow, from an overhead fan, is helpful.

Seven, in the summer, hang your orchid outside under a tree to get humidity and indirect sunlight. Keep on watering and feeding it. In the fall, keep it outside until the night temperature reaches low 50’s°F or high 40’s°F. That should promote new spikes and blooms. Good luck and enjoy your plants. Feel free to call me at 800-921-5542 with your questions or suggestions.

Phil Faustini