Gardening 101: How to Care for an Orchid - Gardenista
A lot of people bemoan their incompetence at growing orchids. My orchids sit unmolested on a windowsill with a western exposure for as long as they can stand it–months, usually–and then, finally, they bloom again in a desperate bid to get attention. There are more than 30,000 species of orchids; to maximize your chances of success, narrow your choice. Photograph by Erin Boyle. Photograph by Marie Viljoen. The orchid may look fragile. Already potted, a yellow Moth Orchid in a 7-inch white ceramic urn is $99.95 from White Flower Farm. A yellow phalaenopsis at this year’s orchid show at the NYBG. Photograph by Marie Viljoen. Put an orchid in a bright room, but away from direct sunlight. Photograph by Sophia Moreno-Bunge. In the wild, orchids grow attached to other plants. Photograph by Erin Boyle. For a vivid pink phalaenopsis, a Dor. Orchids hate to have wet roots; choose a pot with good drainage and spread a layer of pebbles in the bottom of the pot. Photograph by Sophia Moreno-Bunges. Allow orchids’ bark to dry out between waterings. Finally, get more ideas on how to plant, grow, and care for various houseplants with our Houseplants: A Field Guide.