Quick Answers to Common Orchid Questions

1. How do I make my moth orchid rebloom?

No other orchid is as easy to coax into a second bloom. After the flowers have dropped off the stem, find the third node from the bottom of the plant, and clip above that point with clean, sharp pruners. The node is the knuckle-like bump that appear on the stem. The plant will rebloom from this point with smaller yet equally chic flowers.

2. What is the most common mistake when growing orchids?

Overwatering. Even when following our guidelines, always check the planting medium before watering. It should be somewhat dry; if you're unsure, wait. Orchids tolerate underwatering considerably better than overwatering.

3. How often should I repot my orchid?

Repot every two years, generally in spring or summer or whenever the blooming period has ended. Many orchids are planted in bark, which decomposes quickly. Once it breaks down, it acts like a sponge holding moisture.

4. Why didn't my orchid rebloom?

If your plant is healthy but not reblooming, it probably needs more light. Few orchids can tolerate really direct light or really low light. If your orchid fails to rebloom, try moving it to a different window.

Where's the light?
My window faces . . .
East (filtered light all day or morning sun only)
West (filtered light all day or afternoon sun only)
South (bright sun all day)
North (insufficient light, for the most part)

What's the temperature?
My room's nighttime temperature is . . .
Chilly (55-60 degrees)
Cool (60-65 degrees)
Comfy (65-70 degrees)
Warm (70-75 degrees)

How's the humidity?
My room's moisture level is . . .
Low (a cool room with no source of moisture, such as a guest room)
Medium (a heated room with some moisture, such as a bedroom or living room)
High (a heated room with lots of moisture, such as a bath or kitchen)

Now, click to the next page to see examples and growing tips for 6 common orchids that work with your room conditions.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

What: It's the prom queen of orchids; many are fragrant.

Degree of difficulty: It's a 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the trickiest). Keeping it toasty all day and cool all night is key.

Light: bright, indirect light all day or direct afternoon sun only

Temperature: 70-80 degrees (day), 55-65 degrees (night)

Humidity: High

Watering: Keep potting mix moist during the growing and blooming season (March through September).

Feeding: Fertilize once a month at full strength or weekly at quarter strength.

Special care: Cattleya can spend summer outdoors under an open-canopy tree.

photography: Rex Perry Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

What: It's readily available and can bloom for months.

Degree of difficulty:It's a 1. Brown thumb? Begin here.

Light: filtered light; no direct sun

Temperature: 75-85 degrees (day), 60-65 degrees (night)

Humidity: High. They love moist air, so try a windowsill in a bath or over the kitchen sink.

Watering: Keep moist but not soggy.

Feeding: Fertilize once a month with liquid orchid food.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

What: This one's particularly exotic and elegant; it pairs well with moth orchid.

Degree of difficulty: It's a 3, but not a hard 3. Once you nail the watering you've got it.

Where: east-facing window

Light: filtered light; no direct sun

Temperature: 75-85 degrees (day), 60-65 degrees (night)

Humidity: High. Morning misting is a good idea.

Watering: Keep soil moist but not soggy.

Feeding: Fertilize once a month at full strength or weekly at quarter strength.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

What: It has a powerful scent—think hyacinth or narcissus—and knockout color combos.

Degree of difficulty: It's an easy 2. Feed it like a hungry toddler and watch it power on the posies.

Light: bright but indirect sun

Temperature: 70-80 degrees (day), 50-60 degrees (night)

Humidity: High. Regular misting helps, as does a room humidifier.

Watering: Let the planting medium dry slightly between waterings. (The top fourth of planting mix should feel dry.) If black freckles or pitting appears on leaves, the plant is too dry. Watering once every five to seven days is about right.

Feeding: Feed every other watering with a balanced plant fertilizer (20-20-20) mixed at half strength or a balanced specialty orchid fertilizer at full strength.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

What: Its dramatic spikes of blooms come in colors from brown to pink to lime.

Degree of difficulty: It's a 2. Keep it warm and sunny indoors all winter; set it outside under a shady tree all summer.

Light: Lots of direct sun. Six to eight hours a day is ideal.

Temperature: 60-75 degrees (day), 50-55 degrees (night)

Humidity: medium to low

Watering: Keep soil moist during growing season (March through September). In winter, water just enough to keep bulbs from shriveling.

Feeding: Feed with high-nitrogen fertilizer (30?10?10) twice per month from January through July; switch to low-nitrogen fertilizer (10-10-10) for August through December.

Special care: In frost-free areas, cymbidiums can grow outdoors through winter. Elsewhere, place them in a cool room after bloom. In summer, they thrive on covered patios or under open-canopy trees.

photography: Robbie Caponetto

What: It's also called "spray orchid" for its habit of producing lots of small blossoms on a set of stems.

Degree of difficulty: It's a 1. Once you've found its happy place, it's a cinch.

Light: bright, indirect light all day, or direct afternoon sun only

Temperature: 70-80 degrees (day), 55-65 degrees (night)

Humidity: High. Place potted plant on a saucer filled with pebbles and water.

Watering: Keep potting mix moist during growing and bloom season.

Feeding: Fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizer 30-10-10) once a month for the first six months after bloom. Apply half-strength fertilizer every third watering in growing season.