How to Grow Orchids INDOORS

So what if we want to enjoy growing these beautiful colourful orchids indoors in addition
to outdoors? Well orchid-lovers, the good news is that you can grow them indoors as long
as you adhere to the golden rule of duplicating the orchid’s natural conditions as closely
as possible. These include:

• Strong light, but not harsh direct late-afternoon sunlight
• High humidity
• High air flow around the plant’s roots
• Regular periods of drying, alternating with drenching water
• Temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 31 degrees Celsius)

If your orchids are store-bought, they sometimes come in low quality pots that are meant to be
temporary holders. However, before you attempt to repot the plant, notice if it’s flowering. If there
are blooms, just enjoy the bloom instead of repotting it. It’s not advisable to attempt to repot a
flowering plant.

Only after the bloom is done, then you can cut off the dead flower spike with sterile snippers and repot the plant. For growth success, orchids should be potted into specialized orchid pots in orchid mixture. This is because orchid pots have wide drainage slits so water will run through the pot. Orchid potting mixture is usually composed of several chunky ingredients and if you need any help with supplies, you can contact us at Hexagon Green.

To repot your orchid, simply follow these steps:

1. Carefully remove it from the plastic pot and also as much of any existing moss as you can. Healthy roots would appear white and firm, with a small green growing point.
2. Cut away and remove any shriveled, rotten or blackened roots.
3. Place the plant into the new pot and fill in around it with special orchid potting mixture. The plant should be firmly placed inset, but this does not mean that it will be completely anchored at once. Over time, new roots will grow through the potting mixture and attach to the pot, therefore anchoring your orchid plant.

Once you have repotted your orchid plant, find a good spot. An east facing window with a few hours of mild morning sun would be just the perfect spot. To provide the necessary humidity and retain the run-off water, place your pot into a wide, deep tray and fill the tray with gravel.

Tips for Orchid Care

Caring for your orchid is very simple – all you need to do is just water it weekly and very heavily. Let the water drench the roots and fill up the deep tray (this will also provide extra humidity). It is also a good idea to even put the plant in the kitchen sink every so often, and really soak it down. Don't worry, you won't kill your plant as long as it's allowed to dry out properly afterwards. During its growing stage, feed it weekly with a light solution of a powder or liquid fertilizer.

Should you notice any signs of distress, like yellowing leaves, wrinkled leaves or no blooms during its flowering time, move the plant and keep adjusting the conditions. Once your orchid finds an optimal spot, and falls into a routine, the plant should regularly grow new roots and leaves or canes (depending on the type) and reward you with a beautiful uplifting colourful bloom.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at Hexagon Green and we’d be more than happy to help!