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Orchid Care
First things first, remove your orchid from the outer cardboard box and remove the protective wrapping and sleeve from your orchid. Don’t leave your orchid still in its cardboard box or plastic film for more than a day, give them the fresh air they deserve as soon as you can!
Did you know? Our orchids are grown right here in the UK so your new plant is helping people enjoy plants without a huge CO2 transport footprint from importing from Europe.
Position your orchid in a bright room or on a windowsill, but one that does not receive direct sunlight. Don’t place the plant near a radiator or a draught.
Did you know? Phalaenopsis orchids are sensitive to the ethylene gas produced by ripening fruit. If you place your plant too near a fruit bowl, it may drop all of its flowers.
You should water your Phalaenopsis orchid once a week. The best way to do so is to dunk the whole pot into a sink or bowl of water. If you have time, leave the pot submerged for a few minutes — this will allow the root system to absorb all the water it needs. Alternatively, run the pot under a tap for around 20 seconds, allowing water to drain through the bottom. You’re fine to use tap water, even if you live in an area with very hard water — Phalaenopsis orchids are extremely versatile and will adapt to any water source. Don’t leave the roots standing in water for long periods of time, as they will most likely rot
Did you know? If you can’t remove your plant from its decorative container, you can keep it watered by placing one or two ice cubes at the base of its stem once a week.
Dry, shrivelled roots protruding from the bark can be cut off without harming the plant.
Though your Phalaenopsis orchid will survive without fertiliser, we recommend feeding it once every four weeks. Don’t be alarmed if lots of roots start growing out of the top of the pot — this is perfectly natural
Did you know? If you don’t have dedicated orchid feed, a high-potash fertiliser like Tomorite will do the trick. Just be sure to dilute it to a quarter of what it says on the label.
When your orchid drops its flowers, you can cut back the stem. It doesn’t matter what height — generally speaking, lower down means a larger bloom but longer to develop. Cut back when there’s at least one flower left, so the stem is active. If it’s already dried out, cut near the base of the plant. For a ‘quick fix,’ cut above the node below the last, lowest branch or flower for fast development.
You should repot your orchid every 4-5 years, or earlier if the bark has begun to compost down. Otherwise, repotting isn’t necessary unless your plant is jumping out of its pot. It may take a week or two for a repotted plant to become stable, and don’t worry about gaps in the bark — orchid roots love air as much as they love water.
Even with the best care, orchids can sometimes do unexpected things.
Many of these are completely normal and easy to put right. Below are some of the questions our growers are asked most often.
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, we're here to help.
This is usually nothing to worry about and most often means your orchid is thirsty.
Immerse the whole pot in water for 20–30 seconds, then allow it to drain fully before returning it to its decorative pot. Your orchid should never be left sitting in water.
While you're checking your orchid, take a look at the roots through the clear nursery pot. Healthy roots are firm and green (or silvery-grey when dry). Brown, soft or mushy roots can indicate overwatering.
If your orchid doesn't improve after watering, send us a photograph and we'll be happy to help.
Flower drop is a natural part of your orchid's flowering cycle.
As the older flowers finish, they will naturally fall from the flower spike. With the right care, your orchid can flower again.
If your orchid has finished flowering unusually quickly (within one month of delivery), please contact us as it may be covered by our One Month Guarantee.
This is known as bud blast and is usually caused by a sudden change in temperature or environment.
Common causes include:
Once your orchid has settled into its new surroundings, future flower spikes should develop normally.
It's perfectly normal for the oldest leaf, usually the lowest one, to turn yellow and eventually fall away as part of the orchid's natural growth.
If several leaves are turning yellow at once, it could indicate overwatering, underwatering or unsuitable growing conditions.
These are called aerial roots and they're completely normal.
Unlike the roots inside the pot, aerial roots absorb moisture from the air and help support the plant.
There's no need to trim them unless they've completely died.
Healthy roots are:
Roots that are brown, soft or mushy usually indicate too much water.
Once all the flowers have finished, you can either:
Our Orchid Care Guide explains both methods.
Most orchids don't need repotting immediately after purchase.
They usually benefit from being repotted every 2–3 years, or when the bark compost begins to break down.
Every orchid is different, and sometimes it's easier for our growers to diagnose a problem by seeing it.
If you can't find the answer above, we'd be happy to help. Simply email hello@loveorchids.co.uk with:
Our growers will be happy to offer advice and help you get your orchid back to its best.
If your enquiry relates to a Love Orchids order and your orchid hasn't met our quality standards, we'll also help under our One Month Guarantee.
