Orchids are one of our favorite blooming plants to offer. They are elegant, colorful, and exotic. While they appear delicate, these blooming plants are hardy and can last a long time with just minimal care.
There are more than 20,000 types of orchids available, so it would be hard to imagine not finding one that you like. If anything, it’s hard to narrow down one to select for your home or as a gift. Orchids serve as a symbol for many things, including love, elegance, and fertility.
The most popular orchids we offer in our San Diego flower shop include the phalaenopsis and dendrobium. These bloom one to two times a year with a bloom that can last about a month.
If you buy an orchid for yourself or you receive one as a gift, here are some tips on how to care for an orchid so they enjoy a long life.
Container and Soil
Make sure to use a container or pot that provides plenty of drainage, including drainage holes to let excess water drain away from the orchid plant.
Orchids should be put in a container with fast-draining soil. This type of social is either a moss-based or bark-based potting mix. The bark-based mix allows water to drain the fastest.
Temperature and Light
Orchids grow best in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They don’t need much air circulation, but orchids do need a lot of indirect light. They do well when placed near a south- or east-facing window.
Water
Watering frequency depends on humidity levels and climate where the orchid will live. Typically, you need to water an orchid every few days. Just be careful to not overwater them because root rot is a common effect. 
Before watering, test the soil by pushing your fingers in. If you don’t feel any moisture, then you should add some water. If it feels moist, then don’t add water.
If you live in a dry climate or use your air conditioning frequently, you should use a spray bottled to mist your orchid on a daily basis. Since they are a tropical plant, they will a humid feeling.
After Blooming
An orchid does require some other care after they have bloomed. After it has bloomed, you will need to water, fertilize, and prune it. This also is an ideal time to repot it into a new larger constrainer with bark or moss soil. Use a houseplant fertilizer on a weekly or monthly basis as it enters its dormant phase.
By following this orchid care process, you should see a bloom again in about six to nine months. Orchids can typically live for many years if you follow this care process. They tend to bloom in the fall and late spring/early summer.
