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Most orchids are used to growing in sunny parts of the world, so many do best in well lit areas. Most prefer 4 to 6 hours of natural light day-to-day. However, there are varieties that have slightly different needs. Harsh, hot direct light is never good. Bright or not, in general, orchids can be found growing in nature with lots of humidity and filtered light.

Since light is vital for thriving and healthy orchids, some owners opt for orchid lights. With direct control over your orchid’s light, it is one less thing to worry about getting right. Many lights have clamp on fixtures, and can rotate 360 degrees and angle at 90 degrees. Florescent lights are good to encourage blooming, as they give light with no heat. A dark or shady apartment may need florescent orchid lights for 12 hours.

Another idea is to mix the flourescent light with some natural sunlight. The following principles apply regardless of which source of orchid light you are using. Your orchid will tell you when it is not getting enough light, as its leaves will become a darker green. Yellow, bleached out leaves indicate too much light. Your own experience will become the best way to tell when or how to adjust the orchid lights. Bright, light green and glossy leaves are good indictors of health. Blossoming of your orchid means it is very healthy.

If your plant is located by a window, be sure it is draft-free. An east window is great for morning sun and most orchids will do well there. Indoor orchids need more light, as they are tropical in nature and used to getting more light outdoors. They are not used to winter at all. Remember, they don’t need much if any direct sunlight, but an indirect light source.

Each type of orchid has a slightly different light requirement. Many do okay out in the shade, or in trees. For house orchids, artificial lights will give you the most control. You may want to purchase orchid lights for these types of orchids. Bright light and indirect sun is required by Cymbidiums, Vandas, Cattleyas, and Dendrobiums. Those requiring medium light, but no direct sun, are Oncidinae, Intergenerics, Oncidiums, Miniature Cattleyas, Phalanaenopsis, and Phramepediyms. Orchids requiring low light levels, in the source of bright, indirect light, are the Jewel orchids. These are Paphiopidilems, and some Angraecoids. LED orchid lights are available and provide high spectrum light for your indoor plants. Remember, if your orchid is Epiphytic, it has a root system that needs sunlight for photosynthesis.

You can find a wide range of orchid lights, from very simple to the deluxe variety with timers and other accessories. Low cost indoor orchid lights offer a assortment of popular reflectors. Digital indoor grow lights give you a little more control. Air-cooled indoor orchid lights make sure light temperatures don’t get too hot for your plant. In most cases, when orchids are in a resting phase, they won’t require as much light. In growing or flowering seasons, they will will need more light. Do not put an orchid in the dark when it is not flowering. It still wants sunlight, as all plants do, for photosynthesis.

An orchid light can make caring for your orchids a little easier. It removes one of the crucial variables required by your orchids for healthy, vibrant growth and bright blooms. Whichever orchid light you pick out, first ensure you know the individual light preferences of your orchid.

What you just learned about orchid lights is just the beginning. To get the full story and a FREE Orchid Care Minicourse, check us out at Growing Orchids .

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I don’t know what my friend was thinking when she gave me an orchid as a gift over 20 years ago. I did not know that it was an orchid, much less what type of orchid, but later I learned it was a popular Phalaenopsis. But I was intrigued by its unique flowers. Unfortunately the plant did not last long, but being the curious sort of person that I am, I was interested to learn what makes them ‘special’. I found it interesting that while thousands of people are orchid fanatics, there are thousands of others who avoid them because they are convinced that caring for orchids is some kind of mystery, only revealed to the worthy.

In fact I was definitely challenged when it came to caring for plants, both indoors and out. But the orchid put its spell on me, and I got ‘hooked’ on how to look after them. Since then I have learned a lot, and have de-mystified caring for orchids, so that I think practically anyone with a bit of attention can grow vibrant orchids with a minimum of fuss. There really is no secret to caring for orchids. There are basically only 6 things to consider. If you give these 6 factors your consideration, you will likely find that you have happy orchids, and you may even come under their spell like I did.

1. What Is Your Orchid’s Natural Environment?

When you buy an orchid, make sure you can recreate the conditions the plant requires in its natural environment.. Start by reading the label that came with your orchid. Also, some places will give you a basic growing and care guide.

2. Orchid Lighting

There is some variablity among orchid types, but most require at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light. Direct light will scorch the leaves. If your orchid is getting the right amount of light, its leaves will be medium to light green. Dark green leaves means not enough light and pale green leaves means too much. See that wasn’t difficult was it?

3. Too Much Love Can Drown Your Orchid

This is the way I managed to kill my first orchid. I basically overwatered it. So when it turned yellow I gave it more! Although it varies some by season, and by the dryness of the air around your orchid, watering once or twice a week is usually sufficient. One way to check is to insert a wooden stick into the orchid’s growing medium. When you remove it, if it is darker, that means you don’t need to water. Just remember, orchids can require different amounts of water at different times of the year, so keep checking!

4. How To Know When To Feed Your Orchid

You don’t give cat food to your dog, so don’t give regular plant food to your orchid. Get real orchid fertilizer for best results. Then apply it as a weak solution about once per week during its growing season. To do this, use only half the amount mentioned on the packet.

5. Repotting Your Orchid

Repotting was always my least favorite thing to do, but it does make a big difference in your orchid’s health.. Remove the old mix from the pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Rinse the roots and trim off any hollow or mushy ones, as they are considered dead. Put the orchid into a pot about 2 inches bigger than the one it just came from. Put some drainage material in the bottom of the new pot and then growing medium so that where the orchid comes out of the growing medium is just below the top of the new pot. Press gently to settle the plant but don’t use too much force or the roots may break. Use a stick to support the plant in the pot so it is secure. If your plant is growing in sphagnum moss, make sure it is damp before wrapping it round the roots and repotting, that way you don’t have to worry about pockets of air. Once your orchid is in its new pot, the plant should be moved away from bright light and should not be watered for 3 – 5 days to allow it to recover.

6. What to Do After Your Orchid Flowers.

Determine if your orchid reblooms from the same spike or whether blooms will come from new spikes. Once the plant has finished flowering the spike needs to be removed at the base with a sharp instrument to lessen damage to the plant itself. If you aren’t certain, don’t cut it off!

7. Orchid Diseases and Pests

OK, there is a seventh issue to take into consideration. Sometimes your orchid will get a disease or a pest. An important part of orchid care is looking out for various fungi or parasites. Isolate any plant that has a problem, check it out, find the remedy and start treating as soon as possible.

I am here to tell you, if you focus on these conditions and provide the amounts your orchid prefers, your orchid will thrive. Caring for orchids will become easy for you, and your satisfaction and pride will grow along with your healthy orchid.

What you just learned about caring for orchids is just the beginning. To get a FREE Orchid Care minicourse, check us out at Growing Orchids .

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