‘How to’? Care for your Orchids

Orchids are easy to care for if you follow a few easy steps.

Watering
Where possible, use rainwater as orchids love it! Water once a week in spring and summer, and less often in autumn and winter. Generally if the roots look pale and silver, and there is no condensation, it probably needs a drink. Soak the bark and leave to drain. They don’t like to stand in water. Some of the orchid pot covers hold the plant above a water reservoir to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Positioning
Where possible, in winter months, stand in a south-facing window. In the summer months, stand away from direct sunlight.

Re-potting
Orchids should be re-potted every 2-3 years and the best time to re-pot is March to October. Choose a pot which is big enough to allow for another 3 years growth. You might like to put it in a clear pot which replicates the conditions they get in the wild. Always use a bark mix which is specially designed for orchids.

How can I get my orchid to re-flower?
After your orchid flowers, count 2 nodes down from the last flower, cut above the second node and it should re-flower from that point. If it doesn’t, or has gone a long spell without flowering, try placing it in a cooler spot for 3/4 weeks and then bring back into a warmer spot.

Feeding
We recommend feeding once a week whilst they are flowering. Use a feed designed specifically for orchids like the Orchid Myst or Orchid Focus Ultra which will encourage them to flower.