Gardening expert Melinda Myers revealed how to make sure an orchid in the home can flourish by taking care of its light, watering and soil needs.
“Indirect light is best from an east- or west-facing window,” advised Myers, who said that happy orchids will have light green leaves.
If the orchid is getting too much sunlight (and, yes, there is such a thing), then the leaves will develop a pink or reddish tinge around the perimeter.
While the colour may look pretty in the moment, it’s indicative of a struggling houseplant that could wilt if you don’t move the orchid to a more suitable environment. Myers said orchids suffering from too little sunlight will have green leaves that are “darker and stiffer”.
A bit like Goldilocks, an orchid wants an environment that is just right in order for it to be happy. Once you have found the best place for an optimal amount of light for an orchid, you also need to consider its watering needs.
Myers shared on the Martha Stewart website that orchids favour tepid water given in the sink. She elaborated: “Run water over the roots and planting mix; wait and water again to make sure the roots and mix are well watered.”
The roots will be a dull silver, white or pale green to indicate it has quenched its thirst. Once the water has drained, the orchid can go back to its favourite growing location.
As for its soil needs, an orchid typically grows best in a mix made of bark, beat and perlite. An orchid also likes a monthly application of fertiliser, but not too much, or else there will be too many leaves growing and not enough flowers blooming.
Care conditions remain the same once the orchid blooms, but make sure you have someone in to look after your orchid if you are away on holiday for more than a week.
When to repot an orchid
If the roots have outgrown the pot, or the growing mixture has broken down, the orchid could need repotting. Myers recommended repotting an orchid after flowering, just as new leaves are forming.
How to re-pot an orchid:
1. Take the orchid out of its old container and separate its roots from the old mix.
2. Soak roots in water if some of the old planting mix won’t separate.
3. Hold the plant over the new pot, which should be just one pot size bigger than the existing vessel, and fill it with fresh potting mix to cover the bottom roots.
4. Water the repotted orchid and the surrounding mixture.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) put together a quick list of an orchid’s likes and dislikes to remember when caring for the houseplant.
An orchid houseplant likes:
- Bright, indirect sunlight
- Regular watering and misting of rainwater or boiled water
- Bark-based orchid compost.
An orchid houseplant dislikes:
- Direct sunlight
- Too little sunlight
- Tap water
- Standing in water
- Cold draughts.
Never leave an orchid to stand in water for a long time because this can lead to root rot which can cause the flower to wilt and its leaves to drop down.
