How to look after orchids

Orchids aren't as tricky as their exotic looks might make you think. They're also relatively inexpensive to buy and you can even pick them up at the supermarket.

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How to care for moth orchids (phalaenopsis)

One of the easiest orchids to grow, moth orchids (phalaenopsis) make reliable houseplants. They flower up to three times a year, each flower lasting several weeks. Don't worry if roots start to grow out of the pots as this is natural. Any shrivelled ones can be cut off.

Where's the best place for moth orchids?

Choose a semi-shaded spot away from direct sunlight; a west or east-facing window is ideal. They like temperatures of 15°C minimum by night, a maximum of 30°C by day and do well in centrally heated homes. Fluctuation between day and night-time temperatures is vital to encourage flowering. 

Humidity is also important, so stand plants on a tray of wet pebbles - but not in water. On warm, mornings you can mist them – no later though, as the foliage must be dry by evening. 

Moth orchids are sensitive to ethylene gas which is released by ripening fruit so don't put them near a fruit bowl or the flowers could drop off prematurely.

How should I feed and water a moth orchid?

Keep slightly moist at all times but never wet. Water once a week during summer if needed but less in winter. Always do this from the top of the pot, and use tepid rainwater or filtered tap water. Don’t use cold water as it can shock a plant and don't water the crown as this can cause it to rot.

 Feed your plant once a month using a balanced liquid plant feed at a quarter of its usual strength.

Try the best liquid plant feeds from the Which? Gardening magazine tests

How can I get my moth orchid to flower again?

Flower spikes often branch and produce further blooms. Cut the spike off just below where the first flower appeared, just as the last one is beginning to fade. Then cut the entire spike off at the base when it has withered.

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How do I repot my moth orchid?

These orchids don't out-grow their container they just need the compost refreshed every two or three years. Do this in the spring. Tip the plant from its pot, tease out all the old compost and roots, then cut off any damaged or decayed roots. Repot in the original container (no larger than 12-15cm across), gently packing fresh orchid compost around its roots. To help re-establishment, water sparingly for six weeks, until it feels firmly rooted.

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How to care for cymbidium orchids

What are cymbidiums?

Cymbidiums are more demanding than many orchids commonly grown as houseplants. They must be placed outside in the summer. They flower from autumn to spring, and produce large flower spikes that can last up to eight weeks each.

Where's the best place to put cymbidiums?

Cymbidiums need lots of light and low temperatures. Only keep them indoors during autumn and winter. When inside, stand in a bright spot, such as a cool conservatory or windowsill, away from direct sunlight. Keep at about 10-15°C until the flower spike is well developed. You can then move it to a warmer spot, around 20°C. If it's too warm the resulting flowers soon fade. When the risk of frost has passed, harden off, and give it a warm position outside in dappled or partial shade.

Learn how to buy the best greenhouse

How should I water and feed cymbidiums?

Water your cymbidium once a week all year if needed, using rainwater or filtered tap water. From autumn to spring feed fortnightly, and every week during spring and summer, using a balanced liquid feed at quarter to half strength. To encourage flowering, switch to a tomato feed every week in August and September at quarter to half strength. Cymbidium flower spikes are heavy and need support. Insert a small cane as soon as the spike forms to keep it upright. Position the canes in the middle of the pot to avoid damaging new roots.

How should I repot cymbidiums?

These need repotting only when they're root-bound. This is best done from February to May into a pot just larger than the original. Cut off any dead roots and remove as much of the old compost as you can without disturbing the root ball too much. This type of orchid has pseudobulbs, swollen tubers at base of the plant that stores nutrients. Only the young ones flower. When repotting, ensure you give the youngest, greenest bulbs most space. Older, congested plants can be split during March or April. Tip the plant from its pot, shake off compost and look for natural divisions. Divide into two or three new plants with four or five pseudobulbs each. Remove any dead or damaged growth. Pot new plants into small pots, don’t water them, but mist them daily for a fortnight to help them establish. Then water sparingly for a further six weeks until firmly rooted.

How to care for bamboo orchids (dendrobium)

What are bamboo orchids?

There are two types of bamboo orchids (dendrobium) commonly sold, an easy one and another that’s more challenging, but they are seldom labelled! The easier ones flower throughout the year and enjoy warmer temperatures. Flowers are carried on long spikes from the top of their fleshy stems. The trickier sort flower on side-shoots projecting from the sides of the plant's leafy stems.

Where the best place to put bamboo orchids?

Place in a very light position, away from direct sunlight to ensure flowering. During the spring and summer keep at a minimum of 18°C by day and 15°C by night. In autumn and winter it'll need a cooler spot, 14°C during the day, 10°C by night. Keep it humid and well-ventilated at all times.

How should I water and feed bamboo orchids?

From March to June, water sparingly until they start to show signs of new growth. Then water weekly and feed fortnightly, using a high-nitrogen fertiliser at half strength until September, then switch to a tomato feed at half strength. From November until February the plant will become dormant. Don’t water or feed until it starts to flower.

Try the best watering cans from our expert tests

How do a I repot bamboo orchids?

These orchids don’t out-grow their container they just need the compost refreshed every two or three years. Do this in the spring. Tip the plant from its pot, tease out all the old compost and roots, then cut off any damaged or decayed roots. Repot in the original container (no larger than 12-15cm across) gently packing fresh compost around its roots. To help re-establishment, water sparingly for six weeks, until it feels firmly rooted. Like phalaenopsis and some cymbidium, bamboo orchids are epiphytes and rely on aerial roots. In the wild, roots are exposed to the light not buried in compost. Conventional pots block light so it's best to use clear plastic ones.

Where to buy orchids

You can buy moth orchids in supermarkets and diy stores for less then £10 each. Look out for ones with double flower stalks for the most impressive displays.

Other types of orchid can be bought at garden centres or online from specialist orchid nurseries, such as  Burnham Nurseries, McBean's Orchids, Love Orchids and Orchid Botanics.

Orchid pests and diseases

The two main pests you could find are mealybug, which is a white fluffy bug that gets between the leaves and the stem, and scale insects, which are brown limpet-like bugs which are usually found on the undersides of the leaves and can be gently removed by hand.