A Beginner's Guide to Growing Orchids at Home
Bring in the tropical beauty of these long-lasting blooms and add a pop of natural colour to your home
Orchids bring home that exotic vibe and a touch of whimsy; and did you know some are even fragrant? Getting a few key things right, such as light and humidity, will ensure that you are well on your way to growing these beauties successfully in your balcony or apartment terrace. These enticing flowers grow on trees in natural conditions, but here is how you can create an environment for them to bloom in your homes. Eager to take baby steps into the world of orchids? Read on to know how.
Where do you start?
The Dendrobium orchid is a good place to start your orchid-growing journey because they are found in most diverse conditions, growing in all types of climates – from hot, wet lowlands to high-altitude, cool mountains. This is what makes them a perfect choice for beginners in a climatically diverse country like India.
The Dendrobium orchid is a good place to start your orchid-growing journey because they are found in most diverse conditions, growing in all types of climates – from hot, wet lowlands to high-altitude, cool mountains. This is what makes them a perfect choice for beginners in a climatically diverse country like India.
Climatic zones of India are divided into three types:
Tropical rainy climate
(The west coast of India including parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and the Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands)
Dry climate
a) Tropical semi-arid
(North, central and south Maharashtra)
b) Sub-tropical arid
(Rajasthan and Gujarat)
c) Sub-tropical semi-arid
(Punjab, Haryana, UP, western MP, Delhi)
Sub-tropical humid climate
a) Sub-tropical humid
(Foothills of the Himalayas, Bihar, northern West Bengal, Assam, Orissa)
b) Mountain/Alpine
(Mid-Himalayan mountain range)
Tropical rainy climate
(The west coast of India including parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and the Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands)
Dry climate
a) Tropical semi-arid
(North, central and south Maharashtra)
b) Sub-tropical arid
(Rajasthan and Gujarat)
c) Sub-tropical semi-arid
(Punjab, Haryana, UP, western MP, Delhi)
Sub-tropical humid climate
a) Sub-tropical humid
(Foothills of the Himalayas, Bihar, northern West Bengal, Assam, Orissa)
b) Mountain/Alpine
(Mid-Himalayan mountain range)
Start with hybrids
Most of the orchids that are available at local nurseries are a mix of two-parent species: hybrids. It’s best to start out with a hybrid and not a ‘pure’ species because if you make mistakes with watering, lighting, or fertilising, they are more forgiving than pure species and also more accustomed to living in wider conditions.
Most of the orchids that are available at local nurseries are a mix of two-parent species: hybrids. It’s best to start out with a hybrid and not a ‘pure’ species because if you make mistakes with watering, lighting, or fertilising, they are more forgiving than pure species and also more accustomed to living in wider conditions.
Mimick natural conditions
Native to southeast Asia, Dendrobiums are primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants. In nature, they’re often found growing on tree branches.
Pots
Select terracotta or plastic pots with slits or holes on the sides, from where the aerial roots of the orchids can grow out. Air circulation around roots is key.
Hang the pots in your terrace or balcony, preferably where there is a healthy morning and evening breeze. Orchids grow pendulously and like to sway with the breeze.
Native to southeast Asia, Dendrobiums are primarily epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants. In nature, they’re often found growing on tree branches.
Pots
Select terracotta or plastic pots with slits or holes on the sides, from where the aerial roots of the orchids can grow out. Air circulation around roots is key.
Hang the pots in your terrace or balcony, preferably where there is a healthy morning and evening breeze. Orchids grow pendulously and like to sway with the breeze.
Potting mix
A combination of tree bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, perlite and coco chips. Do not mix any gardening soil or compost in the potting mix, since orchids do not require soil to grow in natural conditions. Depending on where you live, you can adjust the proportions of the potting mix. For example, if you are in Zone 1, with a tropical rainy climate, you can eliminate sphagnum moss completely, since the ambient air humidity is sufficient for the orchids to thrive.
Planting
All Dendrobiums have shorter roots (compared to the length of their canes) and need to have the pot fitting tightly around them.
A combination of tree bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, perlite and coco chips. Do not mix any gardening soil or compost in the potting mix, since orchids do not require soil to grow in natural conditions. Depending on where you live, you can adjust the proportions of the potting mix. For example, if you are in Zone 1, with a tropical rainy climate, you can eliminate sphagnum moss completely, since the ambient air humidity is sufficient for the orchids to thrive.
Planting
All Dendrobiums have shorter roots (compared to the length of their canes) and need to have the pot fitting tightly around them.
Temperature and light
Orchids can do well with about two to three hours of bright or even direct sunlight in the morning, and with a 10 degree Celsius temperature difference in day and night temperatures. In places where bright light is not reachable, use artificial lights from tube lights as a substitute.
Pro tip
Varieties with thicker and erect leaves can tolerate more light than those with thinner or more horizontal leaves. This includes Phalaenopsis orchids. The commonly available orchids that are sold in nurseries do well in temperatures that are comfortable for human beings.
Orchids can do well with about two to three hours of bright or even direct sunlight in the morning, and with a 10 degree Celsius temperature difference in day and night temperatures. In places where bright light is not reachable, use artificial lights from tube lights as a substitute.
Pro tip
Varieties with thicker and erect leaves can tolerate more light than those with thinner or more horizontal leaves. This includes Phalaenopsis orchids. The commonly available orchids that are sold in nurseries do well in temperatures that are comfortable for human beings.
Humidity
Most orchids like about 70 per cent humidity in the atmosphere, which is more humid than most homes. Orchids appreciate misting with a spray bottle in the dry season. At home, you can keep a tray filled with water and gravel below the plant. As the water evaporates, it will provide some extra humidity to the plant. For anyone keeping tropical plants on a windowsill, this technique really helps. In balconies, keeping a water-lily or lotus pot as a companion plant will help, too.
Most orchids like about 70 per cent humidity in the atmosphere, which is more humid than most homes. Orchids appreciate misting with a spray bottle in the dry season. At home, you can keep a tray filled with water and gravel below the plant. As the water evaporates, it will provide some extra humidity to the plant. For anyone keeping tropical plants on a windowsill, this technique really helps. In balconies, keeping a water-lily or lotus pot as a companion plant will help, too.
Watering
Do not water the orchids from the top, as the flowers and leaves do not like moisture to be retained in the petals or leaf corners. Don’t water until the soil is approaching dryness. If you have only a few orchid plants, just submerge the pot in a bucket for a few minutes, then lift it out and let the excess water drain off.
Nutrition
Orchids need a balanced 20-20-20 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertiliser spray once every two weeks or diluted to quarter strength every week.
Do not water the orchids from the top, as the flowers and leaves do not like moisture to be retained in the petals or leaf corners. Don’t water until the soil is approaching dryness. If you have only a few orchid plants, just submerge the pot in a bucket for a few minutes, then lift it out and let the excess water drain off.
Nutrition
Orchids need a balanced 20-20-20 nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertiliser spray once every two weeks or diluted to quarter strength every week.
Pruning
Pruning orchids should only be done to remove leaves, roots, or flower stems that have already died or have turned brown. Trimming old flower stems that have turned brown is a good idea. If it is still green, it may re-bloom, either from the tip or by branching further back on the stem. Cut as close to the bloom as possible, and not at the base of the bloom spike.
Pruning orchids should only be done to remove leaves, roots, or flower stems that have already died or have turned brown. Trimming old flower stems that have turned brown is a good idea. If it is still green, it may re-bloom, either from the tip or by branching further back on the stem. Cut as close to the bloom as possible, and not at the base of the bloom spike.
Read more:
7 Steps to a Kitchen Garden in a Small Apartment
7 Expert Tips for a Lush, Green Terrace Garden
Tell us:
Share your tips or experiences of orchid growing in Comments below.
7 Steps to a Kitchen Garden in a Small Apartment
7 Expert Tips for a Lush, Green Terrace Garden
Tell us:
Share your tips or experiences of orchid growing in Comments below.
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Orchids come in a variety of shapes and colours, and belong to a large family of beautifully flowering plants. While the species vary in appearance, all of them are known for their profuse blooming. Some species bloom all along the lengths of their stems while others bloom just from the tops of the stems. Some are deciduous and drop their leaves in the autumn, and some hold on to their leaves year-round. Most species have a moderate to fast growth rate.