Orchids (Orchidaceae): How to plant, grow and care for orchids

In the lush tapestry of indoor greenery, orchids (Orchidaceae) reign with an undeniable charm, enriching home plant collections with their sublime beauty. However, the limelight is often stolen by the exquisite moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, renowned as the UK’s favourite, flourishing everywhere from boutique garden shops to high street supermarkets.

Blessed with the stamina to flower across extended periods, these botanical beauties present a cornucopia of blossom colours, constantly expanding and redefining the spectrum of hues. Orchids, particularly moth orchids, have carved their niche in the world of houseplants, impressing with their glamorous yet effortless presence, hence their soaring popularity.

The allure of moth orchids lies not just in their vibrant, exotic blooms, which last impressively long, but also in their easy-going nature. They bask in the soft glow of bright, indirect light and revel in somewhat humid air or the gentle touch of regular misting, making them rather undemanding cohabitants.

The soaring demand for moth orchids has cast a spotlight on an array of other equally stunning orchid types, now more accessible for the home horticulturist. This list comprises of the regal Dendrobiums, the luxe Paphiopedilums, the distinctive Oncidiums, the spectacular Vandas, and the versatile Cambria hybrids.

Cultivating these varieties is a breeze in most home environments, the payoff being an exotic, dramatic display of blooms that can transform any space into a botanical boudoir. Embark on this orchid adventure and be prepared to be enchanted by their mesmerising world.

The most popular Orchid varieties to grow

Phalaenopsis Orchid

Recognised for their easy cultivation, Phalaenopsis or ‘Moth’ orchids are a common sight and thrive within the warmth of centrally heated homes. They require a temperate environment, not dropping below 16°C, and prefer areas with bright, filtered light, such as those near an east-facing window. These orchids flourish with a degree of humidity, making them ideal for placement in kitchens or bathrooms.

Odontoglossum Orchid

Unconventionally, Odontoglossum orchids are suited to lower light conditions and are perfect for north-facing windowsills. Originating from the Andes, these orchids demand cool, airy surroundings with a minimum temperature of 10°C. To mimic their natural habitat, maintain high levels of humidity by positioning them on a tray of moist pebbles.

Miltonia Orchid

Known colloquially as ‘pansy orchids’ due to the characterful ‘faces’ on their flowers, Miltonia orchids prosper in cooler climes, ideally between 12-15°C. They’re tolerant of temperature fluctuations and need to be kept somewhere bright, away from direct sunlight.

Paphiopedilum Orchid

The Paphiopedilum, or ‘Slipper’ orchid, favours humidity and moderate temperatures, with a minimum of 13°C. Varieties featuring spotted leaves prefer slightly warmer conditions. As rainforest floor dwellers, they’re adapted to low light but require high humidity. During winter, move them to a cool, well-lit spot.

Dendrobium Orchid

For Dendrobium orchids, conditions that lean towards a drier environment and temperatures of 16-18°C are best. To keep them healthy, reduce watering during the autumn and relocate to a brightly lit windowsill or porch, where they can stay cool and dry throughout winter. As temperatures rise again in spring, rehydrate them more frequently and move them back indoors.

Oncidium Orchid

Oncidium orchids, or ‘Dancing Ladies’, typically bloom in summer and might experience a dormant period. These orchids enjoy a stint outdoors during the summer months and thrive in bright light conditions, such as near an east-facing window. A moderate temperature of around 12-15°C suits them well.

Cymbidium Orchid

Cymbidium orchids favour cooler settings – not less than 10°C. To encourage flowering, they need a noticeable temperature drop between day and night from mid- to late summer – this can be achieved by positioning the plants outdoors from June to September. When indoors, they prefer locations that offer bright but indirect light.

Here are some tips for caring for your indoor orchid plant.

Orchids, in their quintessential charm, crave bright yet indirect light levels – a windowsill basking in the glow of the eastern or western sky is usually just the ticket. Be cautious though, as the intense beams of direct sunlight can inflict damage on their delicate leaves. These vibrant houseplants hail from the humid tropics, thus thirsting for a moisture-rich environment. In many centrally heated homes where the air leans towards the dry side, it’s advisable to softly mist the foliage with tepid water every couple of days, taking care to dodge the blooms, or consider placing the pot atop a tray filled with damp gravel.

Each orchid species comes with its own set of idiosyncrasies, which makes it prudent to preserve the label post-purchase for a handy reference. However, in broad strokes, orchids flourish in the speciality orchid compost, demand cautious watering to avoid waterlogging, and appreciate nourishment from an orchid-specific fertiliser from the blush of spring till the fading hues of autumn.

Where to plant Orchids

While a majority of orchids bask in the glory of bright but gentle, indirect sunlight, there are exceptions like the sun-loving Vanda orchids that crave an unfiltered dose of daylight. For moth orchids and their ilk that relish bright, diffused light, a windowsill kissed by the east or west sun offers an idyllic setting. Be mindful though, as an overload of sunlight could mar their tender leaves with scorch marks.

Moth orchids thrive when bathed in a steady temperature of approximately 18°C, making them perfect candidates for year-round indoor cultivation.

Contrastingly, other varieties like Dendrobium, Cymbidium, and Oncidium orchids yearn for a cooler evening ambience of at least 10°C, making them ideal for outdoor placement during balmy summer months, in a luminous location away from the harsh direct sunlight.

How to plant orchids?

Cultivating moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) calls for a unique approach – they should be housed in transparent containers, empowering their verdant roots to engage in photosynthesis. Unlike them, Dendrobium and Cymbidium orchids lack the ability to photosynthesise through their roots, thus they can comfortably nest in opaque pots. Remarkably, Vanda orchids shun pots altogether and can flourish in empty vases or while hanging from wires.

It’s essential to choose specialist orchid compost and avoid the temptation to over-pot these beauties, as an excess of compost can cause the pot to retain moisture for too long, leading to the dread of any gardener: root rot.

Caring for Orchids

Originating from the humid, tropical corners of the world, most orchid houseplants revel in a moisture-rich ambience. In homes where central heating saps the air of its humidity, it’s beneficial to gently mist the foliage every couple of days using lukewarm water. However, take care not to spray the blooms, as water can blemish their delicate petals.

Orchids and overwatering don’t pair well – in fact, it’s the quickest route to their demise. To avoid over-saturating your plant, always weigh the pot before watering – only quench its thirst when it feels light. The flamboyant Vanda orchids, often nurtured in compost-free glass vases, follow a unique watering regimen: during summer, fill the vase with water daily, only to drain it after thirty minutes.

The key to watering moth orchids lies in observing their roots. If they display a verdant hue, hold off on watering and wait until they turn a silvery tone. These exotic beauties appreciate feeding with orchid-specific fertiliser from spring until autumn.

Given their vulnerability to root rot, orchids should never be left standing in water. Adopt a watering approach that involves immersing the entire pot in water, then thoroughly draining, or watering from the top and allowing it to drain naturally. The use of tepid water, particularly tepid rainwater, is highly recommended.

Fun Fact:

Moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, are the reigning champions among houseplant orchids – they effortlessly adapt to our centrally heated homes, boasting extravagant displays of sizeable blooms that endure for months on end. They are an excellent choice for novice gardeners and promise regular flowering with just a smidgen of maintenance.

Should you repot Orchids?

In a departure from the norm for potted plants, orchids don’t demand frequent re-potting, often flourishing even when their roots are snugly bound. That said, it could be beneficial to liberate them from their pots and clear away the compost every two to three years. Re-house them in the same pot using fresh orchid compost, or upgrade to a slightly larger pot if the plant has outgrown its old home.

When setting out to pot or repot orchids, it’s wise to avoid terracotta pots. The orchid’s roots can grip onto the pot’s surface, creating challenges for future repotting ventures.

Encouraging Orchids to Re-flower

With moth orchids, once their floral display has wilted and fallen, snip off the stem just above a visible joint, or node. This action may coax another flower stem into existence, which you should then secure to a support. If the original stem turns a straw colour and fails to sprout a shoot, it’s time to remove it from the base. Bear in mind, most other orchids don’t follow the same protocol, and won’t bloom twice on the same stem – in such cases, promptly remove the spent stems.

Properly deadheading orchids is crucial to encourage more blooms. Moth orchids may produce multiple flowers on one stem, so it’s best to trim off the wilted flowers just above the next budding one. As for other types of orchids, it’s acceptable to cut the entire expired stem down to the base.

Orchid Growing: Navigating Pests and Diseases

It is common for orchids to be plagued by pests such as scale insects and mealybugs. You may notice stickiness on the leaves or surrounding areas, or a layer of black sooty mold, which could indicate an infestation. Scale insects typically inhabit both the top and bottom surfaces of the leaves as well as the flower stalks, while mealybugs prefer fresh leaves. To remove these unwanted visitors, you can simply use a soapy sponge to wipe the leaves by hand. If necessary, insecticides can also be used to get rid of them.

In case of leaf scorching, refrain from removing the damaged leaves unless the orchid is blessed with several additional healthy leaves.

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