Q&A for How to Care for Mini Orchids

My recommendation for orchids (and all epiphytes,) is to use rainwater if you can. There's something really magical about all of the microbes and good stuff in rainwater that really helps orchids get satiated and well-nourished.

The good thing about outdoor orchids is that you hopefully shouldn't need to do very much as long as they're in the right environment outside. Orchids like dappled sunlight. They naturally grow on rocks and tree trunks. So putting your orchid in a nice hanging basket or wiring it to a tree should work great. Of course, if you don't get a lot of rain or humidity, you'll need to water the orchid yourself.

It should live in bright, but not direct sun, conditions. Do not move it daily.

Well, it depends. If the orchid plant is sick (leathery leaves, mushy roots, etc.), then you should cut the flower spike(s), preferably to the base. This will allow the orchid to focus on vegetative growth like root growth and new leaves. When cutting the flower spike(s), make sure your scissors or pruning shears are sterilized with rubbing alcohol -- this will stop your orchid from getting any kind of bacteria in it.

You should prune the spent flowers down to the next node. There may even be a new flower stem forming already. If you have no more nodes, take out the whole flower stem and wait for a new flower stem to emerge. Your mini orchid should start blooming again in no time.

Yes. Leaving it would only sustain moisture in the root area which will eventually trigger fungus and bacteria to form and cause the roots to rot.

No, there is no need for this. Air roots are essential for the plant's development.

Growers suggest using a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all necessary trace elements. Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea. Orchids will do far better with too little fertilizer than with too much. Many growers recommend the "weakly, weekly" approach, applying a dilute (1/4 strength) fertilizer each time they water, rather than applying a full dose once a month. Also, it is best not to fertilize a completely dry plant as the fertilizer can burn the dry roots. Water first, then fertilize.

There is potting soil made especially for orchids: Miracle Grow has a version of it that includes slow-release fertilizer.

Clear containers allow you to see the roots & make sure water is reaching them, that the water is draining fast enough, and it allows you to see if there are any rotting roots. It's not necessary, but it's an advantage.

Once a week with one ice cube for mini orchid, and three ice cubes for regular size plants, provided the growing conditions are ideal. See Method 2 in the article for regular watering details.

That's called a keiki, and it is its own plant! Once it gets its own leaves and a solid root system, cut the stem that attaches it to the mother plant and put it in the same pot as the parent. Being in the same pot with a larger plant will help to regulate the climate and help it grow.

You shouldn't. Orchid seeds are hard to germinate. It also wastes the plant's energy. It could produce more flowers if you don't breed them. if you really want to breed orchids you should ask a local nursery to breed and germinate. If you don't have a nursery nearby and really want to do it, buy some keiki paste and rub it around the nodes. It will grow into an exact clone of the orchid you put the paste on. When the keiki has 2-4 leaves and the roots are 2-4 inches in length, cut it off with a sterilized pair of scissors, put ground cinnamon on the wound (both on mother and keiki) to seal it.

Not immediately, no. The orchid will go through a vegetative or growth phase before it flowers again, probably in about a year.

Its normal. Care for it by adding fertilizer at half strength every week or full strength every other week. Water when the potting mix approaches dryness. If you care for it well, it will bloom next year.

That entirely depends on the species of orchid. Even among common species there is variation. For example, Phalaenopsis orchids prefer to be drier and tend to be potted in bark, while Oncidium orchids like to stay a little more moist and grow best in a mix of bark and moss. Find out what kind of orchids you have, and look at reputable websites like the American Orchid Society for more information.

Put the roots in indirect sunlight. The roots should turn green. If they do, that means photosynthesis is occurring. If you are lucky, the leaves will grow back. Water by misting. If the roots are flat and dehydrated, it is dead. If it is plump (color doesn't matter), it is alive.

Leave it be. It's better not to risk fungal/bacterial infection. If it absolutely must be done, use something sterile and sharp.

That depends on the species. Phalaenopsis orchids, the most common, will flower roughly yearly depending on the growing conditions. Flowering takes a lot of energy, so the plant takes this time to build up its stores again.

No, just put it on the growing medium. Putting ice on the roots or leaves is too cold for the plant.

If it's not root-bound, leave it in the plastic container. It helps in checking root health, and they are split to allow better air circulation. You can repot with new medium in the plastic, too.

They should be green or whitish and full. You have healthy roots. Keep watering to a minimum and keep plant out of direct sunlight or drafts.

These orchids essentially have air roots. They grow in trees and collect moisture from the bark they grow on and mist in the air. If you have lots, it could be that you roots in the growing medium are too wet and you have little to no air circulation around the roots. If the plant overall is healthy, reduce the amount you water. Ideally this plant probably should be planted into a slightly larger pot and new medium, preferably bark chips.

You can cut the flower stem to the last segment before the stem comes out of the plant. It's generally better not to cut below the last segment nose to avoid bacteria entering the plant. If you did cut low and your plant is healthy and happy, it will eventually put a new stem up and flower.

Clip it to a stake to support it so it doesn’t grow twisted or too curved.