ORCHIDS 101: Soil Prep, Planting in Pots & Basic Maintenance
Orchids are one of the largest and oldest families of flowering plants in the world, with over 25,000 different species. From seed, it can take 5-7 years to produce a bloom.
Roger’s Maintenance + Care Recommendations:
• Light
○ Medium to very bright light, but no direct sun
○ Orchids must always stay indoors.
• Substrates/Mediums
○ Orchid roots need to be tightly rootbound, which makes them unique from any other blooming plant. The medium that orchids require are sphagnum moss or orchid bark.
• Temperature
○ Orchids thrive in day temperatures of 65°-75° F and night temperatures of 55°-65° F.
○ Good air circulation helps prevent fungus.
• Watering
○ Water every 10-14 days.
○ If orchid is planted in sphagnum moss, submerge the whole root system (in its plastic container) in a bucket of water and let it drain for 10-15 minutes.
○ If the orchid is planted in bark, it will require more water and more frequent watering.
○ If orchid is in an arrangement, lift the moss and pour a sparing amount of water down in the roots, or completely remove it from decorative container and water it thoroughly.
• In Roger’s Original Design planted arrangements, the orchids are planted in their own container, making it easy to remove and replace.
○ Do not use ice cubes – orchids are tropical plants, so the temperature of an ice cube can shock the plant. It is also not the proper amount of water to be used.
○ Let it dry it out between waterings, and never allow the orchid to stand in water.
• Dormant Stage & Fertilizing
○ After the orchid has fully bloomed, cut above a node.
○ Water like usual.
○ Fertilize every other time you water. Only fertilize while the orchid is NOT in bloom. It will take a little while for another spike to shoot out of the node. Mature orchids will have more leaves and have a better chance of producing another bloom.
Orchids are one of the largest and oldest families of flowering plants in the world, with over 25,000 different species. From seed, it can take 5-7 years to produce a bloom.
Roger’s Maintenance + Care Recommendations:
• Light
○ Medium to very bright light, but no direct sun
○ Orchids must always stay indoors.
• Substrates/Mediums
○ Orchid roots need to be tightly rootbound, which makes them unique from any other blooming plant. The medium that orchids require are sphagnum moss or orchid bark.
• Temperature
○ Orchids thrive in day temperatures of 65°-75° F and night temperatures of 55°-65° F.
○ Good air circulation helps prevent fungus.
• Watering
○ Water every 10-14 days.
○ If orchid is planted in sphagnum moss, submerge the whole root system (in its plastic container) in a bucket of water and let it drain for 10-15 minutes.
○ If the orchid is planted in bark, it will require more water and more frequent watering.
○ If orchid is in an arrangement, lift the moss and pour a sparing amount of water down in the roots, or completely remove it from decorative container and water it thoroughly.
• In Roger’s Original Design planted arrangements, the orchids are planted in their own container, making it easy to remove and replace.
○ Do not use ice cubes – orchids are tropical plants, so the temperature of an ice cube can shock the plant. It is also not the proper amount of water to be used.
○ Let it dry it out between waterings, and never allow the orchid to stand in water.
• Dormant Stage & Fertilizing
○ After the orchid has fully bloomed, cut above a node.
○ Water like usual.
○ Fertilize every other time you water. Only fertilize while the orchid is NOT in bloom. It will take a little while for another spike to shoot out of the node. Mature orchids will have more leaves and have a better chance of producing another bloom.