Orchid Care 101
Broadway Floral Home and Garden
| Cattleya | Cymbidium | Dendrobium | Miltonia | Oncidium | Phalaenopsis |
Cattleya see our orchid plants
- Light – Cattleyas require a good amount of light. They enjoy full sun in the morning, but will require shading from about 11am-3pm; less shading will be necessary in the late afternoon. Their leaves should be a light green color, and a darker green color indicates too little sun.
- Temperature – The ideal day temperature is 75°-85°, while the ideal night temperature is 60°-65°. Occasional temperature extremes are tolerated if exposure is not prolonged.
- Watering – Cattleyas grow best when allowed to dry in between waterings. These plants are used to drying out between the rains of their natural habitat.
- Humidity – It is important to provide good humidity with 50%-70% is considered ideal. However, if the plant is kept well watered, it will adapt to a lower humidity.
- Fertlizing – A high-nitrogen fertilizer (25-9-9) can be used year-round at one teaspoon per gallon of water. Feed once a month.
- Potting – Use a medium grade orchid bark mix for plants in 5″ pots and above. Cattleyas should not be repotted unless the plant have outgrown the pot (every 2 or 3 years). When the last flower drops, cut your flower spike all the way down the stem. Apply a pinch of cinnamon powder or melted candle to seal the wound.
Cymbidium see our orchid plants
- Light – Insufficient light is the main reason Cymbidiums will fail to flower: they like as much light as possible, with shade from the hottest midday sun. A good general rule is to give the plants enough light so that the foliage becomes light green — dark green foliage means too much shade. Once the spikes begin to show in the fall, additional shading is helpful to prevent bud drop and to retain good color. Adequate shading and airy, cool conditions produce the best flowers.
- Temperature – The ideal daytime temperature is 70°- 80°. Cymbidiums require cool nights 45°- 50° in summer and early fall for flower spike initiation.
- Watering – Water once a week, possibly twice a week during very hot or dry weather. Drench the soil until you see water draining out the bottom of the pot. During the winter you may reduce the watering frequency so your plants are somewhat drier. Be sure that your plant does not stand in water for long periods.
- Humidity – It is important to provide good humidity with 50%-70% is considered ideal. However, if the plant is kept well watered, it will adapt to a lower humidity.
- Fertilizing – Use a 20-10-20 fertilizer every two weeks from January through July; once a month from August through December. Never feed a dry plant - water before feeding if necessary.
- Blooming – Cymbidiums bloom from January to early May, depending on the particular variety.
- Potting – Use a medium grade orchid bark mix for plants in 5″ pots and above. Repot when the container is so filled with bulbs that there is no room left for new bulb growth. You can either transplant to a container one size larger, or you can divide your plant. Repot as soon as possible after blooming. If a plant does not bloom, the best time to repot is in March. Repotting after July 1 may prevent blooming the following year.
Dendrobium see our orchid plants
- Light – Sufficient lighting is must for successful cultivation. Dendrobiums prefer either an east or a lightly shaded south facing window. Dark green leaves are an indication of insufficient lighting.
- Temperature – The ideal daytime temperature is 70°- 80° while the ideal overnight temperature is 60°- 65°. Occasional temperature extreme can be tolerated if not prolonged.
- Watering – Phalaenopsis-type dendrobiums grow best when their potting medium becomes dry between waterings. They are epiphytes in Nature, (i.e. - they grow on trees) and are accustomed to becoming fairly dry between the rains of their natural habitat.
- Humidity – It is important to provide good humidity with 50-70% is considered ideal. A humidity tray may be necessary.
- Fertilizing – A high-nitrogen fertilizer (25-9-9) can be used once a month, year round at the rate of one teaspoon per gallon of water.
- Blooming – Dendrobiums are an excellent choice for the novice grower. Flowers are available in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes. From the time that the first flower bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next 2 months. If the plant is kept in a bright warm spot, the plant may produce subsequent sprays of flowers.
- Potting – Use a medium grade orchid bark mix for plants in 5″ pots and above. Repot once every two years in Spring, after blooming, or when new growth starts.
Miltonia see our orchid plants
- Light – Indirect sunlight from either an east or a shaded south-facing window is preferred. The leaves on the plant should be light green. If the leaves are dark green, increase lighting. If the leaves turn yellowish green or reddish, increase shading.
- Temperature – Plants grown in the home should be placed next to a cool window. Night time temperatures should be between 50°-55° and daytime temperatures under 85°
- Watering – Depending upon the temperature, Miltonias should be watered twice a week. During the summer, the plants may need to be watered every 2-3 days. The rule of thumb for watering should be as followed : More heat more water, less heat less water. Miltonias prefer to be kept on moist side, however so not let the plant stand in water. Never allow Miltonias to dry out! New leaves will have a pleated appearance, like an accordion. This is irreversible.
- Humidity – Miltonias prefer 50% to 70% humidity so a humidity tray may be necessary.
- Fertilizer – Miltonias should be feed every other week with a 20-20-20 fertilizer. Never feed a dry plant - water before feeding if necessary.
- Potting – Use a fine orchid mix in pots 5" pots and above. Miltonias should be repotted once every two years. Ideally, the best time to repot Miltonias is immediately after blooming.
Oncidium see our orchid plants
- Light – Oncidiums prefer bright light.The leaves should be bright green as opposed to dark green or reddish green. Reddish green indicates too much light; dark green indicates not enough light.
- Temperature – Oncidium enjoy a fairly warm climate. The ideal night temperature is 60°-65° with daytime temperature of 75°- 85°.
- Watering – Oncidiums should become moderately dry between waterings. Generally, they require more water while the new shoot is growing and less once the bulb has formed. Do not let the plant sit in water.
- Humidity – Oncidiums prefer 40-50% humidity - the ideal humidity is 55%-70%. Humidity should be increased with higher temperatures. ble without any cold drafts. A humidity tray may be necessary. Morning misting of foliage is also helpful, especially during periods of hot weather.
- Fertlizer – Feed your plants with a 20-20-20 fertilizer at least once a month. Take care to keep water out of the new growth at the base of the plant.
- Potting – Use a medium grade orchid bark mix for plants in 5″ pots and above. Repot Oncidiums at least every two years. As a general rule, repot them when the new shoot is two to three inches tall or when new roots appear. Keep mix barely damp until you see the new roots penetrating the bark, then resume normal watering.
Phalaenopsis see our orchid plants
- Light – Phalaenopsis do not require too much light to grow well. If grown in a windowsill, an east exposure proves to be the best. Take case not to burn the plant by allowing too much sunlight to shine directly on the plant from the middle of March through late September.
- Temperature – Phalaenopsis enjoy a fairly warm climate. The ideal night temperature is 62°-65° with daytime temperature of 70°- 80°, however a Phalaenopsis is also somewhat adaptable to lower temperatures.
- Watering – Phalaenopsis require watering once every 4 to 7 days depending on the season. It is best to water your Phalaenopsis early in the morning as that insures complete water evaporation on the foliage as well as the crown by nightfall. Be sure that your plant does not stand in water for long periods.
- Humidity – It is important to provide good humidity with 50-70% is considered ideal. However, if the plant is kept well watered, it will adapt to a lower humidity.
- Fertilizing – Use a 20-10-20 fertilizer every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter. Fertilize at the rate of one-half teaspoon per gallon.
- Blooming – Phalaenopsis are one of the longest blooming orchids, producing flowers that last from 2 to 6 months before dropping. After it has flowered the first time, cut the stem just below the node where the first flower bloomed. From the top node a new flower stem should emerge within 2 months. If there is no response or the flower spike turns brown, cut it off near the base of the plant where it emerged.
- Potting – Because the Phalaenopsis is watered frequently, the potting breaks down about once per year. Spring or fall is considered the best time to repot because the temperature is generally mild, preventing shock. Use a medium grade orchid bark mix for plants in 5″ pots and above.
© 2009 – Broadway Floral Home and Garden
