A study published in the Journal of Plant Biology found that over 60% of novice orchid owners make at least one critical care mistake within the first year.1
From overwatering to light deprivation, these missteps can spell disaster for your prized orchids.
Here are the top 10 orchid care mistakes that make professionals cringe – and learn how to avoid them to keep your orchids thriving and blooming for years.
1. Drowning Your Orchid
Overwatering is the most common and deadly mistake orchid owners make. Unlike many houseplants that thrive on frequent watering, orchids prefer to dry out between waterings.
Excessive moisture can quickly lead to root rot, a potentially fatal orchid condition. Instead of sticking to a rigid watering schedule, check the potting medium before watering. Only water when the top inch feels dry to the touch.
Remember, it’s better to keep an orchid underwatered than overwatered. Most orchids can bounce back from dehydration, but recovering from root rot is much more challenging.
2. Scorching with Direct Sunlight
While orchids need bright light to thrive, exposing them to direct sunlight is a surefire way to damage their delicate leaves and flowers.
Orchids evolved as understory plants in tropical forests, adapted to dappled, indirect light. Without protection, placing them in a south-facing window can lead to sunburned leaves and wilted blooms.
Instead, opt for an east or west-facing window with sheer curtains to filter the light.
If you notice the leaves turning yellow or developing dark patches, it’s a sign your orchid is getting too much direct sun. Move it to a shadier spot to prevent further damage.
3. Potting in Regular Soil
Using standard potting soil for orchids is a major faux pas that can quickly lead to their demise. Orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other natural plants or trees rather than in soil.
Their roots need excellent drainage and airflow to thrive. Regular potting soil retains too much moisture and doesn’t provide the aeration orchid roots require. Instead, use a specialized orchid potting mix of bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss.
These chunky mixes allow excess water to drain quickly while providing the right balance of moisture retention and airflow that orchids need to flourish.
4. Fertilizing with Abandon
While orchids benefit from regular feeding, over-fertilizing can do more harm than good.
Many enthusiastic orchid growers make the mistake of applying too much fertilizer too often, thinking it will boost growth and bloom.
Excess fertilizer can burn the roots and leaves, leading to stunted growth or even plant death. Stick to a “weakly, weekly” approach—use a balanced, water-soluble orchid fertilizer at quarter-strength every time you water during the growing season.
During winter dormancy, reduce fertilizing to once a month or stop altogether. Remember, it’s always better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize orchids.
5. Ignoring Humidity Needs
Many indoor environments lack the humidity levels that tropical orchids crave. Dry air can cause buds to drop and leaves to wrinkle, preventing your orchid from reaching its full potential.
Most orchids prefer humidity levels between 50% and 70%, higher than the average home. To increase humidity, Try grouping plants, using a pebble tray filled with water, or running a humidifier near your orchids.
Avoid misting the leaves directly, as this can lead to fungal problems. Instead, focus on increasing the ambient humidity around the plant to create a more hospitable environment.
6. Repotting at the Wrong Time
While repotting is necessary for orchid health, doing so at the wrong time can shock the plant and hinder blooming. Many novice growers make the mistake of repotting their orchids when they bring them home or while they’re in full bloom.
Orchids should only be repotted when necessary – typically every 1-2 years or when the potting medium has broken down. The best time to repot is after flowering when new root growth begins.
This usually occurs in spring or early summer for most orchid varieties. Repotting during active blooming can cause the flowers to drop prematurely and stress the plant unnecessarily.
7. Cutting Back Too Soon
It’s tempting to trim away flower spikes as soon as the blooms fade, but this can be a mistake for certain orchid varieties. Many orchids, particularly Phalaenopsis, can rebloom from the same spike.
Cutting the spike back after flowering may prevent your orchid from producing a second round of blooms. Instead, trim the spike just above the highest node (the little bump on the stem) once the flowers have fallen. You can cut the spike off at the base if it turns brown and dry.
Some orchids, like Cattleyas, need their old spikes removed entirely. Research your specific variety to determine the best post-bloom care.
8. Neglecting Air Circulation
Poor air circulation is often overlooked but can lead to serious orchid problems. Stagnant air creates the perfect environment for fungal and bacterial growth, which can quickly spread and damage your plant.
Ensure your orchids have plenty of air movement around them. You can achieve this by using a small fan near your plants or placing them in areas with natural air circulation.
Good airflow helps prevent disease, promotes stronger growth, and regulates temperature and humidity around the plant.
Just be careful not to place orchids in drafty areas or directly in the path of air conditioning vents, as sudden temperature changes can be harmful.
9. Using Ice Cubes for Watering
The “ice cube method” of watering orchids has gained popularity in recent years, but many experienced growers cringe at this practice. While it may seem convenient, watering with ice cubes can do more harm than good.
Orchids are tropical plants that prefer tepid water. The shock of ice melting on their roots can damage the sensitive tissue and slow growth. This method often doesn’t provide enough water to saturate the potting medium.
Instead, water your orchid with room temperature water, allowing it to flow through the pot until it drains freely from the bottom.
This ensures even moisture distribution and flushes out any built-up salts from fertilizers.
10. Forgetting to Adjust Care Seasonally
Many orchid owners treat their plants the same year-round, failing to account for natural growth cycles. In nature, orchids experience seasonal changes that trigger different growth phases, dormancy, and blooming.
Adjust your care routine throughout the year to mimic these natural cycles. Most orchids need a period of cooler temperatures and reduced watering in winter to trigger spring blooming.
Watering and fertilizing are increased during active growth in spring and summer. Pay attention to your orchid’s cues—slowed growth and thickening leaves often signal the start of the resting period.
Adapting your care to match your orchid’s natural rhythms will encourage healthier growth and more prolific blooming.
Your orchids will reward you with stunning blooms and years of enjoyment with proper care and attention.
Source:
Read Next:
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.