Self-Help General Topics
Caring For Indoor Orchids
By Jeremy Sleigh
May 10, 2008

Of course orchids grow in the wild, but their immense beauty has meant that they are the perfect indoor plant. Removing anything from its natural habitat has its risks and orchids are no exception. To care for indoor orchids its extremely important to remember the following factors:

Water Orchids Well, But Not Often
Caring for any plant involves watering, and caring for indoor orchids is no exception. They need water to survive but many people make the mistake of over watering. Orchids need the right amount of water, not to much an not too little. The best way to water indoor orchids is to saturate them and let water seep out of the bottom of the pot. It is crucial that you then leave the orchid for a few days to let the media dry out. When caring for indoor orchids it is best to try and simulate a natural environment as best you can. Watering in this way gives the orchids the natural feel of being rained on, and then drying out.

Don't Bake or Freeze Your Orchid
Outdoors orchids grow where the conditions are best suited to them. Indoors they don't have this option. You need to make sure that you aren't frying your orchid in direct sunlight, and at the same time make sure you are freezing it with a constant cool breeze. Somewhere quiet and calm is the best place for your orchid indoors.

Indoor Orchids Need Light Too
Light is another important factor for caring for indoor orchids. Orchids have very widely varying light needs and understanding the appropriate amount of light for the type of orchid is essential to their care. Even 'high light' orchids do not require the kind of bright direct sunshine that a tomato plant does and even 'low light' orchids will not be happy indefinitely in the middle of a room far from any light source. Some orchids, especially those which like high light levels, enjoy being summered outside in dappled shade and for many high light orchids that is the easiest way, to give them enough light to bloom. You may need to do some more research or visit the link below to determine how much light your particular orchid needs