Inspiration

How to care for and pot an orchid

Article by Homes to Love

Learn the basics for growing and potting orchids at home – you don’t need to be an expert!

Untitled-2

You’ll need – a pot, orchid bark, a cymbidium orchid, small stake, butterfly clips, pebbles and slow-release orchid food.

Untitled-3

Step 1

Fill a small pot with orchid bark (which has been sterilised and can be bought at any nursery) and plant your specimen into it. Don’t bury the top of the orchid’s roots too deep – they love being exposed to air.

Untitled-4

Step 2

Insert a small stake (you can also use an old knitting needle) to anchor the orchid, then clip the flowering system to it to help hold up heavy blooms. You can use small butterfly clips for this.

Untitled-5

Step 3

Firm down the bark around the roots so your orchid is firmly in place. Tapping the sides of the pot will make sure there are no air pockets that sink after watering.

Untitled-6

Step 4

Mulch with pebbles to help hold the orchid in place. Let it dry out slightly between waterings which means two to three times a week.

Step 5

Once the orchid has flowered, cut off the old flowering stem at the base, then switch to the ‘growing’ fertiliser instead of the ‘flowering’ type.

Words by: Meredith Kirton
Photography by: Sue Stubbs/Homes+

Create the home of your dreams with Shop Your Home and Garden

SHOP NOW

FEATURED