Orchid Care and Repotting
Posted by Jessie Jacobson on Sep 13th 2026
Orchid Care and Repotting
Orchids are some of the most beautiful and often most misunderstood plants. While their elegant stature may appear daunting, they are actually quite easy to care for and enjoy - even once their blooms fade.
General Care
Soil
Orchids are epiphytes, which is a term for plants that grow on the surface of another plant. Orchids grow on the trunks of trees in the rainforest, gathering moisture and nutrients from the surrounding humid air. When grown indoors, ephiphytes like a barky growing media, with no actual soil needed.
Orchids like to be planted in a container with good air flow. Specialty orchid containers have holes in the side to help mimic their natural environment.
We love the coarse blend of Sol Soils Orchid Chunky Mix.
Water
Water about once a week with clean water - distilled or rainwater is a good choice. A sign that orchids need to be watered is when the leaves start to wrinkle. Another visual indicator is when their roots turn silver-y grey, rather than their typical rich green.
We don’t recommend watering with ice cubes, as the cold water puts strain on the roots and can potentially cause damage. There aren't ice cubes in the rainforest, after all!
Like most plants, orchids prefer to be watered in the morning so that their leaves have time to dry out throughout the day. Avoid watering over them if possible, as water stuck in the crown (top center of the plant where the leaves connect) can cause rot or bacteria growth.
Fertilizer
Orchids like to be fed weekly when they are watered. If you like, you can pause on the fertilizer when the plant is in bloom. A specialty orchid fertilizer is your best bet - we like the Schultz Water Soluble Orchid Food.
Temperature
Cooler nighttime temps of 55-65°F help new flower spikes emerge. When a new spike appears, you can return to a normal setting of 70-80°F daytime temps and 62-65°F at night.
Light
Orchids like bright, indirect or diffused light. A South or East-facing window works best. West is often too hot in the afternoon, and North-facing windows may not allow enough light.
Repotting & Flowering
Repotting
Their are two main reasons why an orchid may need to be repotted - old growing medium or excessive new growth. Their potting mix breaks down over time and the nutrients become depleted. A sign that it's time for some new growing medium is dead or dying roots. If roots are busting out of the pot or a new baby orchid pup (keiki) has grown alongside the main plant, it's likely that your orchid needs some more room to grow.
Flowering
An emerging flower spike looks like a mitten on the end of new growth, rather than the rounded tip of a root. Their stunning flowers last two to six months before dropping. Orchids can bloom 2 to 3 times per year once mature.
After the flowers drop, give the spikes a moment to breathe. If the spikes stay green, cut it back just above the highest node (notch on the stem - this is where new growth will appear). If the spikes turn yellow or brown, cut back the stem entirely to its base.
Once your orchid is done flowering, the plant will generally go into dormancy lasting six to nine months. During this time, the leaves are gathering energy to produce another flower.
Troubleshooting
Root Rot - not always from overwatering, usually due to lack of air flow to the roots. Try repotting into a specialty orchid pot with holes in the sides and changing to fresh growing medium. When repotting, trim off any roots that are mushy, brown, or stringy.
Yellowing Leaves – can indicate stem rot, which is a fungal infection that can be hard to treat. Pinpointing exactly where to treat as well as getting the fungicide to the right place can be difficult to do. Pooling water in the leaves and crown will normally be the culprit. Prevention is the best medicine.
Spots or Blemishes on the leaves - could be from sunburn, as orchids like bright rooms but not always direct sun for long periods. Think of where they grow, under the canopy trees in the rainforest! Try moving to an area with less direct light - e.g. from a West window to an East or South-facing one.
Bud Blast - many factors can contribute to buds drying up and falling off without opening. Room too hot? Light level too low? Plant too dry or wet? Root Rot? Using softened water instead of clear water. Too much fertilizer. Getting hit by a cool draft. Strong fumes such as new carpet, refinished woodwork etc. Try adjusting any of the factors that may be affecting your plant, and give it some time to adjust and recuperate.
Other Orchid Varieties
For more information about specific orchid varieties, check out our mini plant blogs!
If you would like assistance picking out or caring for orchids, feel free to stop in and ask. Otherwise, email us at hello@tonkadale.com - we're here to help!