Watering Orchids
One of the most commonly asked question in caring for orchids is the proper way to water them. Different types of orchids need different amounts of water. For instance, keep Cymbidium, Odontoglossum, Miltonia and Paphiopedilum moist all the time. Keep Cattleyas, Onicidium, Brassia and Dendrobium wet during the growth phase, and allow them to dry out a bit when not in growth phase. Phalaenopsis, Vanda and Ascocenda like to remain dry. Intergenerics generally like to be watered once a week. You can check the moisture using a wooden stick. If you insert the stick 3 to 4 inches and the end is wet, wait to water your intergeneric orchids. Oncidiums prefer water that does not have a lot of mineral content. This is most like the rain water in places like Hawaii. So, you can save your rainwater, or alternatively use distilled water.

Feeding Orchids
Always use orchid food. Generally, most orchids like to be fed once a month, no more no less. Feeding them too much can burn their roots and not feeding them enough can keep them from growing to their full potential.

Light
Orchids do not generally like direct sunlight. Different orchids can tolerate different amounts of indirect sunlight. The best thing to do is to move the orchid around until you find the proper amount of light best suited to the plant.

There are a few extra hints we can give you. One of the most common ways people lose their orchids is by over-watering them. Using the "Watering Orchids" section above as a roadmap of sorts, make sure that you don't overdo it. You should also use puts with a good drainage system so that no water collects at the base of the pot.

Re-potting of orchids can be fairly tricky. As a general rule, we suggest you re-pot your orchid once it has finished its blooming cycle. The reason for this is that orchids will generally not bloom for a full year following their move to a new pot. Remember, also, that orchids like to feel "crowded". If you have multiple orchids, don't be afraid to put more than one in a single pot. Multiple orchids in one pot can actually help speed up the blooming process a bit, and may help you get more than one bloom cycle in a year. Generally speaking, you will only have to re-pot an orchid one time in its life.

Remember to care for your orchid all year. Too often, people tend to neglect their orchids while they are not in their blooming stage. Continued care for your plant can extend the life of your orchid, and improve the blooming stage when it occurs.

Finally, try to keep your orchid in the best possible climate. Orchids generally prefer about 60-80 percent humidity and temperature stability in the 80's. Keeping your orchid in a less optimal environment may lead to a shorter plant life and a less fruitful blooming stage.