Orchid Care and Information

Written by Gay Smith

Facts about Orchid Customers:WHO IS BUYING (as indicated by Consumer surveys conducted by Green Circle Growers)

• The average orchid consumer is a 50-65 year old married woman who owns her home and has a high school diploma

• She likes to display orchids in her living room

• She prefers pot color to match home décor rather than the season or specific holiday

• Her style favors traditional and modern, but not country, earthy or antique

• Most orchids purchased are white, pink and purple, although the color of the second purchase doesn’t matter

NUMBERS THAT TELL YOU HOW TO LEAD THE SALES COVERSATION

• 80% of orchid consumers surveyed indicated they are beginners

• 78% first time orchid purchases

• 59% purchased for themselves

• 41% received the orchid as a gift

CARE INFORMATION TO SHARE with CUSTOMERS

• Orchids like their roots crowded. Don’t repot for at least 1-2 years after purchase

• Orchids hate sitting in water. They will die if roots are underwater for a length of time

• NEVER water the plant while it is inside the deco pot. The roots need air!

WATER and FOOD

• Recommend moist, NOT wet. Overwatering is the fastest way possible to kill an Orchid

• Rule of thumb: planted in moss, water every 7-9 days. In bark, every 8-10 days

• Adjust watering to the seasons (slightly more often in summer than other seasons)

• ALWAYS take plant out of the outer deco pot before watering

• Orchids like to drink water with fertilizer once a month. NEVER fertilize a dry plant!

• First dilute the fertilizer by following mixing instructions. Then water the plant

• Let the plant sit in tepid water for +/-30 minutes to allow moss and bark to get wet

• Allow plant to drain for another 30 minutes before placing back in deco pot

• Orchids love humidity. If environment is super dry, recommend placing pot on a tray filled with water and pebbles. Keep water level shallow to keep the pot positioned above the water

FOOD, LIGHT and AIR

• Orchids need filtered (not direct) light. Southern or eastern facing windows are best

• Don’t cut off crazy roots at the “soil” surface. Orchid roots photosynthesize and breathe so they reach towards light and air. Green roots indicate a healthy plant

• Orchids love good air movement. A tropical breeze--think room with ceiling fan

• They are super-sensitive to ethylene gas. This means avoiding cigarette smoke, fireplaces that don’t draw well, smoke from burned toast and BBQ smoke drifting into orchid areas

AFTER BLOOMS ARE FINISHED

• Cut the bloom spike off at its base

• Place the plant in a cool area (60F) for 6 -8 weeks. It still needs light, food and water, but must have a cool resting period to stimulate re-flowering

• After resting period, replace plant to original position