Indoor Orchid Care for Beginners

Do you know How to care for orchids once you get them home? Many of us could use some pointers on these lovely exotic flowering plants.

Orchids can be difficult or easy to grow. The usual variety sold in stores is the phalaenopsis and that one is easy to grow. If you know what to do with it.

This guide is focused on phalaenopsis orchid care. There are well over 60 different varieties of this popular orchid. It is know as the moth orchid since its flowers grow shaped like a moth.

If you have a store bought orchid you probably brought home one of the 60 varieties of phalaenopsis. Moth orchids are easy to grow if you get one in good health to begin with.

Sourcing an orchid from the grocery store at a holiday is risky. Orchids are often grown as mass ‘throw away’ plants for cheap gifting with poor shipping conditions, cheap substrates and low quality plants.

However, moth orchids will often survive even these poor beginnings. With good care, they can sometimes give years of blooms.

Phalaenopsis orchids are available in many colors and patterns. They are extremely beautiful. They look more delicate than they actually are. With good basic care your orchid will live happily in your home for many years.

Moth Orchids are Great for Beginners:

This moth orchid is a hardy plant. Even the mass produced poorly handled holiday phalaenopsis orchids will often last years in the original pot.

Moth orchids are often gifted to people that know nothing about them. These orchids often withstand irregular waterings, poor substrates and neglect and still bloom! And even rebloom.

Eventually though, even the toughest specimens need nurturing. Once the plant quits blooming they are often thrown out.

This care guide will help you grow your orchid and keep it happy for the long term. With care, it will rebloom annually for you.

There are some very interesting facts you should know about orchids. It will make the care guide below more sensible.

How Does An Orchid Grow?

Orchids are epiphytes. In nature, Orchids climb trees in hot humid tropical forests. Moth Orchids put out aroid roots that survive out of the soil. These arial roots anchor the orchid vines to trees. The roots sustain themselves as they climb by rooting themselves into the tree bark. Crevices in the bark collect food and moisture the orchid uses to sustain itself.

Moth Orchids can grow with very little actual soil. Orchid roots absorb their food and moisture from the humid air and very little else.

Questions Often Asked About Orchids:

If you are new to Orchids, these questions may be on your mind. Here are our answers.

How do you take care of an orchid for beginners?

Moth orchids are easy for beginners to care for. Moderate to bright light, good drainage in both soil and pot, and regular feeding will ensure a happy phalaenopsis.

These are tough and beautiful plants. Phalaenopsis orchids are a good orchid for beginners.

How Long Does An Orchid Last?

Orchids have been known to grow 100 years. They can reliably last decades if you learn how to take care of them correctly.

How do You Keep Orchids Blooming?

Orchids will bloom from 6 to 12 weeks, even longer, when they are happy. Then the blooms fall off and the plant goes dormant for a time. With exceptional care moth orchids can bloom twice a year.

What do You Do With an Orchid When The Blooms Fall Off?

Many people throw away orchids after they bloom. But wait! With proper care, Moth orchids will put up blooms annually. You can enjoy months of lovely blooms every growing season year after year.

Learn How to Repot An Orchid Successfully Here

Where Should You Put Your Orchid in Your House?

Place your orchid away from drafty entryways and windows with harsh hot sunlight pouring in. Moth orchids do best in places with moderate to bright indirect light for six hours a day. To encourage blooming set your orchid in a cooler (10 degree F. Drop) place at night to trigger blooming.

Basic Orchid Care:

Purchase Orchid Plants from Etsy

You can find Orchids in almost any grocery or big box store with a plant shop. But some of them are not in great condition due to the mass marketing and ‘throw away plant’ reputation they have.

To seek out good quality orchids shop Etsy. Choose a well reviewed orchid shop. Talk to the shop owners and make sure you are getting exactly what you want.

Orchid Care Quick Guide:

Familiar Names:	Moth Orchid,
Scientific Name:	Phalaenopsis
Plant Family:	Orchidaceae
Care Difficulty:	easy
Temperature:	65 to 85 degrees F.
Watering:	Water when the soil is dry. Soak the pot from the bottom and allow to drain.
Soil:	well draining or orchid potting soil or bark.
Fertilizing:	Orchids appreciate regular fertilizing every two to four weeks during the growing season with a 20-20-20- fertilizer or a half dose of a regular plant fertilizer.
Lighting:	Bright INDIRECT light 6 hours a day
Growth:	Moth orchids grow as small plants with long leathery leaves. This orchid flowers on tall spikes that erupt from the stem.
Flowering:	Phalaenopsis orchids bloom once or twice annually. Blooms normally last 6 to 12 weeks.

Orchid Care Tips List:

1. Orchids require a porous orchid potting mix of bark or a mix of bark and moss so the roots can breathe.
2. Preferred orchid light levels are moderate to bright and indirect (1000 to 1500 for candles). Harsh, hot direct light will burn the leaves and shrivel the blooms.
3. Moth Orchids bloom for months and months with proper care. Moth orchids will bloom again on old spikes.
4. Ideal temperature needs for orchids change according to species. Nighttime Temperature ranges affect blooming. Orchids are triggered to bloom when the nightime temperatures drop about 10 degrees F. for about a month.
5. Proper watering is essential. Moth orchids will get Orchid root rot if over watered. Water when the plant is dry. Soak it. Then drain the pot and allow to dry before watering.
6. Use an orchid fertilizer that is balanced properly for these plants. Fertilize every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season.
7. Orchids prefer high humidity at 50% or higher. Add pebble trays or humidifiers to increase humidity.

Printable Orchid Care guide:

This care guide is a list of important things you need to do to keep your orchid thriving. Moth Orchids can live many years with proper care.

More Informative articles on Orchids:

Orchids are different than other houseplants. These articles will help you learn the unique properties of orchids and how to repot, which pots to use for them and how to fix root rot in orchids.

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Orchid care Resources:

• AOS.ORG-Orchid care
• Growing Phalanopsis-Extension service-A & M University of Texas