How to grow orchids in pots: step by step guide

Orchids are among the most popular flowers in the world, due to their great variety of shapes and colors, capable of giving a touch of elegance to interior spaces. Few people know that orchids can also be grown in pots : below we will explain how.

To grow orchids in pots you need to start “thinking like them”. The golden rule for having healthy and flowering orchids is to faithfully reproduce their natural conditions. In nature, orchids are epiphytic plants, which grow on other objects such as tree bark or stones.

The orchids that we usually prefer to have at home are hybrids of phalaenopsis (the so-called moth orchids) or dendrobium .

Optimal conditions for orchid growth

Orchids thrive in low light, but not direct late afternoon sunlight. They need lots of moisture and air flow around the roots.

These plants need dry periods, alternating with abundant watering. Orchids grow best in temperatures above 10°C but below 30°C.

The closer you get to these optimal conditions, the more likely your orchid will grow healthily and flower profusely.

Most orchids we buy in stores are packaged in cheap plastic pots, with the roots soaked in moss. Obviously, this condition does not respect two of the main rules for healthy growth.

The first is that there is a lack of air flow around the roots. The second is a consequence of the first: the roots will never dry completely. Precisely for this reason, the plant cannot breathe and will almost certainly rot.

Orchid roots are organs that need to absorb water quickly and breathe. They do not extract nutrients from the earth.

Transplant orchids successfully

The first thing to do when we bring an orchid home from the store is to enjoy its blooms. Never transplant an orchid with flowers.

Once flowering is finished, cut the tip of the dead flower with sterile scissors and transplant your orchid.

Orchids must be placed in special pots, using special soil for orchids. Orchid pots have large drainage holes to keep the water flowing.

Orchid potting soil is usually made from various ingredients with a thick consistency, such as pine bark, charcoal and even polystyrene foam. To transplant the orchid follow these steps:

• Remove the orchid from the plastic bag and remove as much moss as possible, being careful not to damage the plant. Healthy roots should be white and firm, with a small green growth tip.
• Cut off any blackened, rotten or wilted roots.
• Place the plant in the pot and fill it with the appropriate soil. The plant must be fixed to the soil, but not anchored. Over time the new roots will grow through the soil, and cling to the pot.
• Place your orchid plant near an east-facing window, with a few hours of light sun in the morning.
• To give the plant the necessary humidity and collect excess water, place the plant on a wide, deep saucer filled with gravel.

Tips for caring for a transplanted orchid

During the summer, water abundantly once a week. Make sure the roots are soaked in water and the saucer is filled.

During the growing season, feed the plant once a week with a special powder or liquid fertilizer.

During the winter, keep the plant warm and water it only once a month. Spray some water every now and then to make sure the plant is hydrated. Do not fertilize.

Important: This website does not give medical advice, nor does it suggest the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical problems, for which the advice of a doctor is required. If you decide to apply the information contained in this site, it does not assume responsibility. The intention of the site is to be illustrative, not exhortative or didactic.