Orchids are not as delicate and hard to grow as you might think. They have some particular requirements, but once you follow those, the plant is not so intimidating. Start your adventure in growing and caring for orchid plants with checking to make sure it has not outgrown the container. If roots are starting to grow out the bottom of the pot, it's time to transplant your orchid into a larger container. Use orchid potting soil--you can buy it at most nurseries and garden centers.
Water your orchid if the planting container feels light when you pick it up. Use barely warm water, rather than cold. Let the water fill the soil, until the container feels heavier and excess water is running out the bottom drainage holes. Water your orchid plant every five to 12 days, depending on the climate in your huose. A humid climate will bring more moisture into the house, leaving the plant needing water less often.
Fertilize your orchid plant with a diluted houseplant fertilizer with a water-food ratio of 1 to 5 is a good choice. If you have orchid fertilizer, use it at a dilution of 50 percent, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Feed the plant this dilution, about once a month. It is easy to over feed orchids, so keep within the guidelines.
Place your orchid plant near a sunny window. A northern exposure may not provide adequate light, but any other direction should work fine. In the middle of a hot spell, move or protect your orchid plant from extreme heat of the sun. The No. 1 reason an orchid does not flower is that it is not getting enough light.
Cool down evening temperatures. Orchid plants prefer a variation in the day to night temperatures. If the plant is in a location that is being heated artificially in the evening, this could be the reason for lack of flowering. The daytime temperature should be approximately 65 to 75 degrees F. The plant needs an 8 to 10 degree cooler temperature in the evening.