Ordontoglossum orchid

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water regularly during growth

Water regularly while in growth.

Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.

Spring · Planting

Repot every other year

Repot every other year if grown in a container. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Some of the old compost can be shaken away, but don't disturb the roots too much.

Make sure the roots are spread out and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and ensure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.

Summer-Autumn · Outdoors

Feed with orchid feed

Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.

For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.

Winter · Outdoors

Water sparingly during dormancy

In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.

When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.