How to grow orchids
Find out how to get the best from your orchid to keep it flowering for many years.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
To do | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Orchids are now an affordable luxury; their sensational and long-lasting blooms bringing a touch of elegance to any home or greenhouse.
Find out all you need to know about caring for orchids.
With a wide range of young orchid plants now on offer at local garden centres and florists, you can choose exciting varieties to grow on yourself.
Here's how to get your orchid off to the best possible start and keep it producing blooms for many years.
You Will Need
- Potted orchid
- Specialist orchid compost
- Specialist orchid feed
Total time: 15 minutes
Step 1
Stand the young orchid plants in trays in the greenhouse, well out of any direct sunlight. If the compost looks very dry, water the plants thoroughly until water starts to run out of the bottom of the pot.
Step 2
Plants can be fed with a soluble fertiliser added to the watering can. Orchid fertiliser is available from most garden centres, or use a general-purpose feed at half strength every third watering.
Step 3
As the orchid grows it will develop a strong, fleshy root system. When the roots fill the original pot the plant should be potted on into a slightly larger one.
Step 4
Put crocks in the bottom of the pot to improve drainage. Add specialist orchid compost to the pot and put the plant in place, making sure the compost goes right down the sides of the rootball. Don't firm down - leave the compost loose to allow water to run straight through.
Step 5
When the flowering period is over, the old flowering stem can be tidied up. Don't be in too much of a hurry though as some orchids, such as phalaenopsis, often produce a sideshoot that will bear a second crop of flowers. Watch Alan Titchmarsh explain how to encourage a moth orchid to reflower.
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Plant of the Week: Camellia ‘Yuletide’
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.