Growing Medium

• Choose a plastic or clay container with several holes in the bottom for drainage. Most orchids have roots that attach to trees to absorb water and nutrients and require different potting media than other houseplants. Purchase orchid potting mix from a garden center or make your own using a mixture of peat, bark and charcoal. Planting orchids in regular potting soil will likely lead to the death of the plant.
  
  

Light

• Orchids require at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight per day to flower properly. If the leaves appear dark green, the orchid requires more light. Phalaenopsis orchids adapt to low-light levels but perform best in east-facing windows. Cattleya and dendrobium orchids perform well in slightly shaded, south-facing windows or west-facing windows. Move orchids closer or further away from the window to adjust light levels or provide a sheer curtain to filter direct sunlight. If your home receives little natural sunlight, hang florescent tubes designed for plant growth 6 to 8 inches above the orchid. Provide 12 to 16 hours of artificial light per day. Providing both natural and supplemental fluorescent lighting promotes blooming.
  
  

Temperature and Humidity

• Most orchids require nighttime temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees. A difference of 10 degrees between day and evening temperatures will encourage flowering. Keep orchids away from windows during cold weather. Orchids thrive in humid environments and perform best if humidity levels range between 40 percent and 60 percent. Set potted orchids on a tray of pebbles filled with water or place a humidifier near the orchid.
  
  

Watering

• Most orchids require watering once a week during the growing season. Irrigate until some water drains from the bottom of the container and allow the growing medium to dry out somewhat before watering again. Orchids potted in small containers or those planted in bark mixes require watering twice per week. Never allow the potting medium to become waterlogged as this may cause the orchid to die. Reduce watering once the orchid has stopped blooming so that the plant can rest during its dormant period.
  
  

Fertilizing

• Use water-soluble fertilizers for orchids to encourage blooming. Apply once a month according to the label's instructions. A fertilizer high in nitrogen, such as a 30-10-10 fertilizer works well for orchids planted in bark. A 20-20-20 fertilizer works well for most other orchids. Apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous, such as a 10-30-20 fertilizer during the fall to further encourage blooming. Orchids grow in low-nutrient conditions in the wild, so over-fertilizing may kill them. Dilute the fertilizer by half to avoid over-fertilization. After blooming, reduce fertilizing until new growth appears.