Orchids are a stunning plant (Image: Getty)
Speaking to Express.co.uk, expert Graham Smith (MCIHort) – based at LBS Horticulture – revealed the common mistake many owners make. While can be brought home in full bloom if not taken care of properly, the can drop off, and the plant can die.
“Overwatering is a common killer of orchids,” said Graham. “You should only water the orchid when the roots are silvery in colour and not when they are green.” But if you have your orchid in a pretty pot, how can you see what colour the roots are? Graham said this is “usually much easier to see if your orchid is planted in a transparent pot”.
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Overwatering an orchid can kill the houseplant (Image: Getty)
The transparent pot can then be put into a decorated pot, so you only need to lift the orchid to see the colour of its roots.
Graham advised that when watering an orchid, “ensure that water is allowed to drain out of the bottom of the pot, and do not allow your orchid to stand in water”.
This means the transparent pot must have holes in the bottom of it to allow excess water to drain away from the plant.
Orchids may also have a preference for the type of water that they are given.
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Misting an orchid can help the plant thrive (Image: Getty)
Graham elaborated: “Tap water can sometimes be harmful to orchids, so it is best to water them with boiled water or rainwater when possible.”
Now is also the perfect time to feed the plant fertiliser as it grows in spring. But what about the soil?
Graham said: “Do not use normal potting soil when planting an orchid, as orchids need a potting medium that is lightweight and drains fast.
“This is usually a mixture of bark, sphagnum moss and perlite, with a slightly acidic soil pH being ideal.”
Best place to keep orchids
“Orchids grow best in bright, indirect sunlight, as too much sunlight can scorch their leaves,” said Graham.
“They also prefer high humidity… mist the foliage of the orchid every few days with tepid water, taking care not to spray the flowers.”
How to encourage flowering
“If an orchid does not bloom, certain species can be prompted to bloom by exposing them to a lower temperature for several nights,” advised Graham.
“If you have a moth orchid, cut off the stem to just above a visible node once the flowers have fallen off, as this can encourage the plant to produce another flower stem.”
He added: “If a new shoot does not appear and the original stem begins to turn straw coloured, then it will need to be removed at the base.”