Question:
How often should I water my orchid?
Answer:
In general, orchids like to watered 1-2x per week thoroughly. The easiest way to give a good watering is to take the plant to the sink and drench the media with tepid water. For orchids that are potted in bark chips such as Dendrobiums or Oncidiums, let the water run through the media for approximately 10 seconds. For orchids that are potted in peat moss or sphagnum moss such as Phalaenopsis, a little less water is required since the media absorbs water. In either case, never attempt to use melting ice cubes since cold water can shock and kill the roots.
Question:
Now that spring is here, can my orchid go outside?
Answer:
Orchids are native to tropical rainforests so they love the humidity, breezes, and rain of Virginia climates as long as these simple rules are followed: (a) Temperatures are between 60 deg F and 90 deg F. Temperature extremes will stress orchids causing yellowing of the leaves and stunting new growths. (b) There is no direct sunlight. Use filtered (under a trellis or partially shaded tree) for intermediate light orchids such as Dendrobiums, and Oncidiums and indirect (north facing or under a fully shaded tree) for low light orchids such as Phalaenopsis. (c) The plant is off the ground where slugs would eat the leaves and roots. Try a low table or hang the plant from a tree. (d) Phalaenopsis alone need to be covered from rain or placed on their side since they are prone to crown rot if water sits in the middle of the leaves overnight.
Question:
Should I be ‘misting’ my orchid flowers?
Answer:
Orchids love humidity but misting of the flowers will not accomplish this goal under most circumstances. The water droplets are too big and may not evaporate by night, leaving unsightly black spots on the petals by morning. A preferred method of increasing humidity would be to place the orchid plant on a humidity tray such that the water in the tray evaporates around the plant. The pot sits above the water level so that the roots do not rot and the tray is refilled periodically with fresh water. Orchid roots, however, love to be misted and if the temperature is above 80 deg F, the whole plant can be sprayed down.