We know that lots of people are loving growing a few orchids in the home these days. Modern houses are quite well suited to many types of easy to grow orchids and by following a few simple rules you can succeed and enjoy flowers all year round. We like to be quite warm at home and with things like double glazing and loft insulation keeping our houses cosy, this is exactly what some of the popular orchids enjoy too.

You may well have some Phalaenopsis or “Moth Orchids” at home and they are the most widely available in supermarkets, garden centres and of course in our nursery too. When the early explorers first spotted them in the rainforests of the Philippines, they were growing up in the trees as epiphytes and their large, pale flowers were waving around in the breeze. They thought they really looked like moths flying amongst the trees, so they have been known as “Moth Orchids” ever since. They love the warm environment of the modern home so if your thermostat is set to at least 18 C they will be happy.

Most orchids have a flowering season but the phalaenopsis don’t meaning they can flower at any time of the year and all year round. This is always a great selling point! They are capable of reflowering off the same flowering stem as well which most other orchids can’t do. After flowering simply trim the stem back to one of the “eyes” below the flowers and that eye will then branch out with new buds. A good tip is if you trim it before all the flowers have dropped then there is a better chance of a branch, the stem being still alive and the sap rising.

Watering is the biggest issue that many people have as it can be hard to get a handle on how much to give when you are just starting out. The trick is to always err on the drier side, orchids definitely don’t like to be too wet or have permanently wet feet! You can act like the rainforest and give the plant a good drenching but then make sure that you allow the pot and the plant’s roots to dry out really well before watering again. I always recommend checking your plants once a week but only water when they have dried out from the previous watering. This usually equals watering once every couple of weeks.

Orchids can get sun burnt just like we can so in the summer months it is important to keep them in the shade to prevent the leaves scorching. Choose the windowsill position carefully, south facing in summer will be too bright but perfect in winter where the good light will be helpful for reflowering. North facing is good in summer as it is not so bright but can be a bit dull in the grey winter months. It is OK to move them around a bit as that all helps to give the plants a change which often kick starts the next flower stems to grow.

Whether you have just Phalaenopsis or have ventured into other types of orchids, these rules work across the board. Pick the right orchid for your temperature, avoid the bright summer sun and don’t overwater. Also mist the leaves and roots regularly to create a bit of humidity. Keep things simple and you should enjoy some great orchid success in your home!