Orchids
Succulents
Houseplants
Care
Brassavola, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Lycaste, Masdevalia, Odontoglossom, Oncidium, Paphs, Seedlings, Phrags & Psychopsis
Orchid Care Calendar
keep tabs on orchid care
The cycle of orchid growth and bloom is fascinating to watch. Keeping in sync with these cycles by actively fertilizing and repotting at the optimal times leads to greater success in orchid growing. Depending on where you live, the cycle of orchid growth and bloom may be different than it is for us here in Washington, D.C. The chart below shows what we will be doing and looking for in each season. This chart is just a guideline, you may experience different cycles based upon your environment and orchid collection.
To see which orchid mix suits the needs of your plant, see our orchid mix finder. Please note that not every orchid requires repotting every year, though the repotting status of each orchid should be checked. For example, in the Spring we will check our Brassovola to see if they need repotting. If one was repotted last year, is healthy and not growing out of the pot, and the mix looks like it will last another year then that plant will wait until next year to be repotted. We try not to go more than 2 years between repotting, far less for Phals, Paphs, Phrags and seedlings.
Spring Orchid Care
Repot These Orchids
Look For Blooms On These Orchids
Cattleya, Epidendrum, Phalaenopsis, Vanda & late blooming Paphs
Fertilizing Tips
Increase strength of fertilization and check light levels as they become stronger. Greenhouses and sun porches may need shade cloth installed.
Extra Tips
Move orchids with high light needs outside for the summer.
Summer Orchid Care
Repot These Orchids
Phals & Cattleya as they go out of bloom, finish repotting of Paphs by early summer. Also repot late blooming epidendrums.
Look For Blooms On These Orchids
Catasetum, Doritis, Doritaenopsis, Encyclia, Miltonia, Stanhopea & Vanda
Fertilizing Tips
Continue fertilizing at twice the winter rate. Increase watering to compensate for moisture lost during high temperatures.
Look For New Growth On These Orchids
Brassavola, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Lycaste, Masdevalia, Odontoglossom, Oncidium, Paphs, Phals, Phrags & Psychopsis - stake as necessary.
Fall Orchid Care
Repot These Orchids
Doritis, Doritaenopsis, Encyclia, Miltonia & Stanhopea as they go out of bloom. Repot seedlings as necessary, especially Phalaenopsis seedlings.
Look For Blooms On These Orchids
Oncidium, Miltoniopsis, Phragmipedium, Psychopsis & Sophronitis
Fertilizing Tips
Decrease fertilization rate, allow Phals to experience the chill of early fall, allow other orchids to experience the shortening of the day length. Bring orchids indoors that have been outside for the summer. Stake spikes as they grow. Check light conditions, remove shade cloth as necessary.
Look For Spikes On These Orchids
Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Brassavola, Dendrobiums
Winter Orchid Care
Repot These Orchids
Oncidium, Miltoniopsis & Cymbidium as they finish blooming.
Look For Blooms On These Orchids
Brassavola, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Lycaste, Masdevalia, Odontoglossom, Oncidium, Paphs, Phrags & Psychopsis
Winter Tips
Reduce watering as necessary. Increase humidity in heated conditions. Watch out for disease and cold damage
Look For Spikes On These Orchids
Cattleya, Epidendrum, Phalaenopsis, Paphs & Vanda
