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Orchid Care

Orchids are tropical flowers and need special care and attention to help them thrive – so it’s little wonder they have a bit of a reputation for being high maintenance. But help is at hand from Crowders! Give your beautiful orchid the TLC it needs with our great selection of orchid care products. Choose from a range of orchid pots, specialist plant feeders, plant clips and plant supports to help your orchid feel at home in its new environment.

For more information on growing orchids and orchid care click the 'more info' button below.

More info

General advice for growing orchids

Orchids have attracted the reputation of being difficult to grow and reserved only for the more experienced gardener. However, by following a few simple rules as to the location of the plant, this reduces many potential problems that could otherwise occur later on. Orchids do not like being positioned in draughts, in direct sunlight or near hot fires. However, they do like a lot of light, so bear this in mind when choosing your ideal spot.

Ensure that the compost surrounding the orchid never becomes water- logged. However, do try to keep it moist. Additionally, create humidity around them by placing them on gravel or clay granules in a tray.

Never place an orchid on an un-shaded windowsill as, in summertime, direct and strong sunlight will damage them. Similarly, in the wintertime, ensure that the plant will not become trapped between a cold window and a curtain. Also ensure that there is enough room on your windowsill or table to prevent the orchid from becoming knocked and/or damaged by heavy curtains etc or people passing by.

Carry out regular checks on the plant to make sure that thecompost is sufficiently moist. Watering is done most effectively by carrying plants to a kitchen or bathroom and watering over the rim of the pot.

Another factor to take into consideration when looking for a suitable place to locate an orchid is accident spots. How easy is it to knock the plant off the windowsill or damage the petals as you brush by? Also bear in mind boisterous children or excitable dogs!

One of the most popular orchids that we stock within our garden centre is Phalaenopsis. They are very well suited to life indoors and the flowers are long- lasting, often for up to three months—hence their popularity.

Ideal Temperature for growing Orchids:

At night: 16-18ºC (61-64ºF)

During the day: 18-30ºC (64-86ºF)

DO NOT REDUCE THE NIGHT TEMPERATURE BELOW 12ºC (54ºF)  OR YOUR PLANT WILL NOT DEVELOP FLOWER BUDS.

Ideal position for growing Orchids:

Indirect sunlight is essential for orchids, especially at the height of summer. Net curtains are ideal for diffusing direct sunlight.

Transparent orchid pots are available in the houseplant section in-store, which are always recommended for orchid growing as the roots prefer as much light as possible.

Watering your Orchids:

The frequency of watering is influenced by the time of year and the position of your plant. You should keep the compost evenly moist but not waterlogged, and remember that, although the surface may appear dry, the base could be moist.

Ideal humidity for your Orchid:

Your Phalaenopsis needs a moist atmosphere around its leaves and flowers. Therefore, stand the pot on moist gravel in a tray or saucer. However, you should make sure that the base of the pot is not continually wet. Additionally, mist-spray plants if the air is dry; this is best done in the morning so that all the moisture on the leaves has evaporated by nightfall. (Houseplant mist-spray bottles are available in-store).

Feeding your Orchid:

Add a specific orchid fertilizer to the watering water. However, remember to omit the fertilizer at every third or fourth watering.

Always use a proprietary orchid fertilizer and do not exceed the manufacturer's recom- mended concentration or frequency rate. When used excessively and in strong concen- trations, fertilizers can damage the roots of an orchid.

We recommend the use of 'Growth technology's' range of orchid feeds which are available in our orchid care department.

Re-potting and compost for your Orchid:

Re-pot your orchid once every other year between early spring and early summer. Use a well-aerated and free-draining compost. Specialist orchid compost is available on the house- plant stand in-store.

Orchid flower care:

After the flowers fade, use a pair of sharp scissors or secateurs to cut the flowered stem back to just above a joint, leaving a stem about 30cm (12in) long. Further flowers may then be produced within 2-3 months. Plants do not have a yearly cycle of producing flowers and may develop flower spikes at any time of year. However, should flowers not appear, reduce the temperature by 5ºC (8ºF) for four weeks.


Further reading on Orchid care.

For more information on when and how to re pot orchids from the North of England Orchid Society Website.

A great frequently asked question page on orchid care from Burnham nurseries.

Here you can find information about the care of various plants as well as Orchids.You can also see information about the products that are available from Growth Technology