We’ve just posted this new page on the Orchid Tips Website to help with Orchid information, Orchid care, and Orchid fertilizing. See the new page here. Enjoy!

Below is a video I took today at the Pacific Orchid Exposition Orchid show in San Francisco, CA. Here are more Orchid videos I have posted.

Cattleya orchids can be amazing to grow at home or in your greenhouse. Care conditions of Cattleya orchids can be created by the beginner or advanced orchid grower. The Cattleya orchid is also known as the queen of orchids. There is an extensive range in the number of colors and sizes for Cattleya orchids. Plant sizes range from the size of a teacup to over 6 feet in height. Cattleyas flowers come in white, lavender, yellow, red, orange, purple, and blended colors. Flower sizes range from inches to almost a foot in diameter.

Here are care conditions of Cattleya orchids:

Light: Bright light to some direct sun when not at brightest, no direct sun in the middle of the day, east, shaded south or west window, 2000-3000 footcandles when in a greenhouse.
Watering: Cattleyas almost like to dry out between waterings, seedlings need constant moisture.
Humidity: Cattleyas prefer 50-80% humidity.
Air movement: Cattletas like good air movement.
Potting media: Cattleya orchids like to be potted in medium to large bark.
Fertilizing: When growing Cattleyas in fir bark use a 30-10-10 fertilizer, otherwise use 20-20-20, in active growth fertilize every two weeks, otherwise fertilize once per month.
Repotting: When your Cattleya plant starts overgrowing the pot or the rhizome protrudes over the edge of the pot, repot. When repotting, soak the roots first for an hour.

Learn more about orchid care in this book.

Phalaenopsis orchids can be one of the easiest orchids to care for if you follow these orchid care and growing instructions. They can often be quite easy to find at local supermarkets, home improvement stores, and garden centers. Phalaenopsis orchids are one of my favorites due to their long lasting flowers and ease of care. They are not only inexpensive but very rewarding to grow at home. Phalaenopsis flowers can bloom for a very long time, between 2 months and over a year. There are 5 kinds of Phalaenopsis orchid plants, including small-flowered miniature, species, large flowered, multiflora hybrids , and novelty Phalaenopsis Orchids. There are more than 85 Phalaenopsis Orchid species, originating from India, Northern Australia, and southern China.

Learn more about Orchid care from the Orchid Care book here.

Phalaenopsis Care and Growing Instructions:

1. Grow Phalaenopsis orchids  in a bright window with very little or no sun. This means you can grow Phalaenopsis orchids in an east, or shaded west or south window. You can also grow Phalaenopsis orchids with fluorescent lighting.
2. Phalaenopsis orchids like a temperature between 65-90 F.
3. Phalaenopsis orchids should not dry out between waterings.
4. Humidity for Phalaenopsis orchids should be 50-80 %. You can create this by using a humidity tray or tray with rocks and water under your plants.
5. For fertilizing, if the Phalaenopsis orchid is planted in bark use 30-10-10 twice per month. If your Phalaenopsis orchid is in another mix, use 20-20-20.
6. Repot Phalaenopsis orchids every year or two in medium bark.