How to Grow Orchids Indoors

Blooming orchids look so ethereal that it's hard to believe you can grow them inside your home.
For success, choose the right one for your conditions, then watch them flourish.
By Deb Wiley
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Selecting Orchids
Look beyond the pretty face when deciding which orchid to grow indoors. First, assess the
growing conditions you can offer an orchid, and make your choice from there. Light,
temperature, humidity, your watering tendencies, and fertilizing all play a role in growing
orchids.

Light Requirements for Orchids

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The single most important variable when growing orchids indoors is light. Orchids that prefer
high light -- unobstructed sunlight, streaming through a clear, south-facing window or into
a greenhouse for 6 to 8 hours -- include vandas and angraecums.
Medium-high light orchids, such as phragmipediums, oncidiums, and dendrobiums, grow in
locations that are bright but not directly sunny. Eastern and western exposures are often medium-
high light locations, although a western exposure may be warmer. The light intensity is the same,
but the air temperature has increased.
Medium-low light is appropriate for phalaenopsis (moth orchids) and paphiopedilums. It may be
an east- or west-facing window with no direct sun. It may also be an open northern exposure
with no obstructions and some additional reflected light.
Low light is usually a limited northern exposure or any exposure where the light is blocked by an
overhang, trees, or neighboring buildings. Jewel orchids grow in low light.
Learn how to pot an indoor orchid.

Temperature
Generally, orchids can be grouped into three temperature categories: cool, warm, and
intermediate. Buy a high-low thermometer to measure the temperature range in your orchid
location. After that, choosing a suitable orchid is simple. As with light, some orchids easily adapt
to more than one temperature range.

Humidity
Most orchids we grow indoors come from the tropics, and most parts of the tropics are much
more humid than the average living room. Orchids grow better if you can boost the humidity in
their immediate growing area by grouping your plants together, or placing them on a dry well.
Create a dry well by placing plastic lattice or pebbles on a tray, then adding water to just below
the lattice or top of the pebbles. Place your potted plants on top of the lattice or pebbles.
Learn even more tips for keeping your orchids healthy.

Watering orchids

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Anyone who has ever watered an orchid knows that most of what you pour in runs out almost
immediately through the bottom of the pot. Because orchids are potted in bark mix rather than
potting soil, they need to be watered differently.
The goal is to get each mix particle to absorb as much water as possible. To give the potting mix
enough time to absorb water, place the entire pot in a bowl of water for 10 to 15 minutes, then
lift it out and let the excess water drain before putting the pot back in place. This technique
works well for orchids potted in clay. Since clay is porous, water penetrates the walls of the pot
and is absorbed by the bark.
If your orchid is potted in plastic, place it in an empty bowl, then add water. If you place the
plastic pot in an already full bowl of water, the water will push the bark up and out, floating it
away from the orchid roots. In this case, add water to just below the lip of the pot and let it sit for
10 to 15 minutes, then drain and return the orchid pot to its place.
If an orchid is potted in long-grain sphagnum moss or soilless mix, you can water until water
runs out into the saucer below. However, sphagnum moss may feel dry on its surface while the
interior may still be moist. Stick your finger an inch or two down into the moss to feel whether
it's truly dry.
How frequently you water your orchid depends on:
 The kind of orchid: Is it drought-resistant or not?
 The kind of pot: Porous pots dry out faster than nonporous pots.
 The kind of potting mix: Sphagnum moss needs water less frequently than bark mix.
 The air temperature: Plants dry out faster in warmer temperatures.
 The humidity: Plants dry out faster in drier air.
 The light: Plants growing in higher light need more water.
In general, water drought-tolerant orchids, such as cattleyas, oncidiums, and dendrobiums once a
week. Water most others, such as miltonias, paphiopedilums, and phragmipediums every 4 to 5
days. Start there, and adjust up or down according to the conditions in your home.
Water orchids thoroughly each time, then let them dry out before watering again.
Click here for more tips on growing healthy orchids.

Fertilizing Orchids
Most orchids are not heavy feeders. Many orchids bloom year after year with no fertilizer at all.
During active growth, when new leaves are being produced, you may fertilize every other time
you water at half the strength recommended on the fertilizer package. However, it's important to
deliver water without fertilizer at least once a month to flush excess fertilizer salts from the bark
mix and avoid fertilizer burn to the roots.

Easiest to Grow: Moth orchids

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Phalaenopsis orchids are the most loved and easiest orchids to grow indoors. Their common
name is moth orchid because the flowers look like moths hovering in the air.
Learn more about moth orchid.
Moth orchid flowers last for months, the longest-lasting orchid blooms. They grow best in
medium-grain bark mix, warm temperatures, and low to medium light.Doritis orchids are closely
related.
Moth orchids come in a wide range of flower colors, including white, pink, yellow, orange, deep
rose, and lavender.
Moth orchids typically bloom once a year, but they may be coaxed into a second round of bloom.
When the last flower fades, if the bloom stalk is still green, cut it just above the second or third
node and wait a few weeks. This may stimulate growth in a dormant bud and produce a second
bloom stalk that branches off below the cut.
Moth orchids grow slowly and need repotting once every 1 to 2 years. Wait to repot until the
orchid has finished blooming and the tips of the aerial roots are green.

Which Orchid to Grow Indoors

Although some orchids are temperamental, many grow well in a home. Use these guidelines to
help you choose the right orchid:
 I tend to overwater: Slipper orchids, such as Phaphiopedilum, Phragmipedium
 I ignore my plants: Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium
 My house stays cool: Cymbidium, Odontoglossum, Masdevallia
 My house stays warm: Vanda, moth orchids, Angraecum
 The air in my house is dry: Cattleya, Dendrobium
 My house is dark: Jewel orchids, Paphiopedilum
 I only have a small windowsill for growing: Mini-cattleyas, Pleurothallis, miniature
moth orchids
 I don't understand fertilizers: Moth orchid, Cattleya
 I'm afraid of orchids: Moth orchid, Dendrobium
 Best orchids grow outdoors in summer: Vanda, Cymbidium, Cattleya
 My pet chews my plants: Orchids with thick leaves such as moth orchids, Cattleya,
Vanda
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Colin Turner202 days ago
There are some useful tips on growing orchids on http://gardenpig.co.uk/blogs/garden-blog/11119125-caring-for-
orchids

Reply  
Lex Lord281 days ago
This is a fine article about Orchids. Taking care of them is a pleasure. I get mine from The Wild Orchid in St Louis, Mo
http://www.thewildorchidflowershop.com/ 

I have grown several in large pots and they have thrived without any problems. It is all in the dirt and fert!
Reply  
Maria Lagios294 days ago
My orchids grow beautifully except for a white sticky foam that accumulates on the entire plant. What is it, why and
how do I get rid of it?
Reply  
Renata Bradley325 days ago
I have a plant the stopped blooming and I cut it to the node. I now have a bud that is not enlarging. It's been this way
for months. What is wrong? 
R. Bradley
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