Growing Moth Orchids in the House

Moth orchids come in many colors and spots. Some are even fragrant. Select healthy plants...even ones from the grocery store will work well for you. Give them bright light; an east, west or shaded south exposure is best. If your orchid turns dark green, it is receiving too little light. A purplish tint means it is getting too much light. You want medium olive green colored leaves.

Use an orchid fetilizer. These plants are heavy feeders, so follow the directions. Many people use special orchid foods, but for a phalaenopsis in the correct light, most any type of orchid fertilizer will work.

Here's the secret. DON'T overwater! Wait untill the medium in the pot is crispy dry. Overwatering is the quickest way to kill your plant.

In order to get your plant to rebloom, there should be a 15 to 20 degree difference in temperature between day and night. These plants like humidity, so if your air is dry, place the pot on a tray of pebbles with water added. To encourage a second bloom during the season, cut the old blooms off at the 'node' below the last bloom. This is a sort of 'v' shaped dimple in the stem. A new stem may shoot out and rebloom.

Your orchids will provide you with blooms that last for weeks every year with minimal care. Enjoy them.