Many times people are timid or anxious about growing orchids. But they are a lot easier than many folks may think.

Phalaenopsis, moth orchid, and Paphiopedilum, Lady’s Slipper, are two of the easiest orchids to grow in the house.

The moth orchid ranges in color from white to pinks and lavenders, yellows, stripes and spots. They have a flower that ranges in size from ¾ inch up to five inches in diameter. They are borne on long stems and as few as three and as many as eight blooms can be on one spike. They will typically bloom from December through May, and blooms can last as long as three to six months. You won’t get that kind of lasting color from cut flowers!

In the home, moth orchids need to be near a bright window. An east or west facing window is ideal. They like to be in a temperature that ranges from 55 degrees to 85 degrees. Maintaining a nighttime temperature of 60 – 65 degrees and a day temperature of 75 – 80 degrees is perfect.

The cool nighttime temperatures in the fall encourage flower spikes to form. However, once the spikes have formed, be sure not to have fluctuating temperatures, as that could cause flower buds to drop before opening.

As with all orchids, Phalaenopsis enjoy humidity. Setting your orchid plant on a tray of pebbles with water will help to maintain the humidity level around the plant. Water the plant weekly, depending on the humidity in the room. The drier the air, the more frequently you’ll need to water.

The potting media should be course bark. The orchid mix that you buy at a garden center will be fine. Often, the orchid mix will have bark and charcoal pieces in it as well. The potting medium serves as an anchor for the roots, nothing more. The roots of an orchid are often outside the pot, and that’s ok. Feed with a fertilizer of equal or close to equal proportions of N – P – K and feed the orchid about every two weeks at half the recommended rate.

When receiving an orchid as a gift or giving it as a gift, they are typically in bloom. Many times when we purchase them at a box store the potting mix is some kind of moss packed around the roots. For long term care and growth, this is not the best type of medium for orchids. It holds moisture close to the roots, causing the roots to rot. They usually are in a plastic liner with drainage, and sit in some type of cache pot that holds water. Again, not the best scenario for the life span of the moth orchid.

When the plant is finished blooming, typically in early spring, the best care you can give it is to transplant it into an orchid pot or a clay pot. An orchid pot will have holes in the sides of the container as well as drainage in the bottom. After the water drains through the pot, dump the excess. A clay pot is also a good option for an orchid as it is a very porous material and typically there are holes in the bottom to allow for that needed drainage.

The Lady’s Slipper, or Paphiopedilum, is another easy-to-grow orchid. With colors of green to purple, in spots and stripes, this orchid is a beauty. Some have mottled leaves, while others have solid green leaves. This orchid isn’t often found in box stores, but garden centers and greenhouses often carry them. Nighttime temperatures should be about 60 degrees, and day temperatures should range from 70 – 85 degrees. The lady’s slipper requires about the same care as the moth orchid. Maintain the plant on a tray of pebbles, just as you would the Phalaenopsis, and water about once per week, depending on how dry the air is in the room. Lady’s Slipper is considered a low light orchid, so an east window is best.

Fertilize at the same time intervals as the phalaenopsis. Check out the medium when you get the plant. Sometimes they will be planted in moss, other times in bark. Unlike the phalaenopsis, which likes a course bark mix, the Paphiopedilum like a little finer bark, or can do well in a moss mix. This plant doesn’t have a water storage structure like many orchids do, so the roots act more like that of a house plant as opposed to an orchid. If you can grow an African violet, you will be able to grow a Lady’s Slipper orchid.

When watering orchids, take the plants to a sink and allow the water to run over the roots and through the containers. Remember that drainage is very important to the success of the plant, so water sitting in a pot or a tray isn’t the best care.

If you’re ready to take the next step to growing orchids, I have two more for you to try: Cymbidiums and Oncidiums. Cymbidiums are terrestrial orchids, so their potting medium has smaller particles. The flower colors vary from white, red, brown, yellow, orange and others.

Typically, you’ll find these guys planted in a mix with small bark pieces, perlite and a bit of peat moss. Cymbidiums like warmer temperatures – 55-60 degrees at night and 80 – 85 degrees during the day. They do great outside during the summer in a shaded location. When the temperatures dip into the 40’s at night, it’s time to bring this plant inside to the sunniest location you have. They are not the easiest orchids to get to bloom again, but when they do – wow! It’s spectacular! The foliage on this orchid is pretty as well. So even if it struggles to push flowers, the leaves are attractive enough to earn its spot indoors. Just like with the Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum, the cooler night-time temperatures will trigger blooming.

Oncidiums come in colors of yellow, red, white and pink. Smaller flowers than many, but abundant in numbers when in bloom. Put this plant in a sunny window, on a humidity tray. The potting medium is a course bark or charcoal, or a combination of both. Like many orchids, the colder fall nighttime temperatures will trigger the flowers. Transplant after blooming, typically in the spring, and move them outside into a shady location for the summer.

Division or repotting of most orchids should happen once every two to three years. When the potting mix begins to break down, it’s time to repot.

Give orchids a try. Start with some of the easier ones then work you way to the more challenging.

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