I know this can’t be right. I grow orchids at my home 20 minutes from Sacramento. I also have a few more at my office. I’ve accidentally killed phals by allowing them only two weeks without water. How can anyone water once in three weeks?

Well, Patti, some people can water once in 3 weeks, but this really illustrates the problem with one-size-fits-all orchid care instructions. Soundbites may be dangerous to your orchid’s health. I would guess that the author of the advice grows Phals potted in moss in perfect greenhouse conditions. Many orchid pros water once every 3 weeks. They pot the Phals in tightly packed moss, which acts like a sponge. It can hold a lot of water, especially in high humidity. With a goal of minimizing water use, they’ve set up their growing environments accordingly. So it is possible.

Of course, most home or office growers don’t have optimal conditions. Even if your orchids grow in moss, your light levels, humidity, air movement, and temps vary. Each of these affects watering frequency. If your orchids are potted in bark, then you need to consider that it can dry quicker than moss. That’s why an orchid care regimen needs to be flexible, and soundbites do not account for fluctuating conditions. If a formula says “once every 3 weeks,” or “3 ice cubes per week,” take that as a starting point. Then, you need to pay attention to your plants. Check these helpful watering tips, and create your own schedule.

Coelia is easy to pronounce; just ignore the “o” and say “Celia” like the woman’s name. In the wild, it grows as an epiphyte or a terrestrial in rainforests up to 5000 feet (1500 m) in elevation. In cultivation, it needs frequent watering, shady conditions, and winter dormancy. This species tolerates a wide range of temps. However, it doesn’t like repotting, and extra care is needed to avoid damage to roots.

The blooms can be as large as 2 inches (5 cm,) but this plant enjoying life on my back deck has slightly smaller 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) flowers. Besides this variety, another member of the Coelia genus in the final photo has tiny white flowers. This species, Coelia triptera, was on display at a local orchid show. Like Coelia bella, it’s also fragrant.

• Orchids with pseudobulbs are entering dormancy. If they sport swollen stems like those in the first photo below, they may only need water once or twice per month over winter. Too much water can cause rot, or mess up the plant’s flowering schedule. Cut back on fertilizer, too.
• Orchids without pseudobulbs, like Phals, Paphs, and Masdevallias, don’t go dormant. However, with seasonally lower light levels and cooler temps, it’s best to reduce their water and fertilizer slightly.
• All orchids need good humidity, but home and office heating can dry the air like an arid desert. Low humidity can cause blooms to wilt, and invite pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Find helpful tips to raise humidity here.
• Consider adding extra light to compensate for the weak winter sun.
• Members of the Cattleya family, like the red and yellow hybrid in the second photo below, may be affected by too many hours of artificial light. They require long, dark nights to trigger flowering. Keep them away from any artificial light at night.
• Remove dead leaves or flowers. This helps limit hiding places for unwelcome pests or disease.
• Don’t panic if a few older leaves wither and drop. Some varieties of Dendrobiums, like the cool grower in the final photo below, lose all their leaves. Other types, like Cycnoches, Epipactis, and Thunia, are also deciduous. Continue to give them bright light and good humidity. Water when their pseudobulbs start to shrivel, only once or twice per month.

One trick to help Cymbidiums bloom is to give them nightly temperature drops of 15-20°F (8-11°C,) especially in autumn. Without this day/night temperature difference, they won’t form flower spikes. Here on the coast, they can grow in full sun. However, growers in warmer areas should provide morning sun and afternoon shade. Plants need enough light so that leaves are light green, not dark green. Cymbidiums enjoy regular fertilizer, and they love compost. They can survive a light frost, although temps below freezing usually damage flowers.

For orchid growers in warmer climates, miniature Cymbidiums like warmer temps. These small varieties are best for growers where summertime temps stay above 70°F (21°C) at night.

This species is native to a vast area of the Amazon Rainforest, across Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The flowers may look delicate, but they’re thick and waxy, and can hold up for months. This type typically blooms in fall and winter.

Thin leaves without pseudobulbs mean this orchid has little capability to store water. It needs daily watering and high humidity. Mine grows in shady conditions, and receives only a little morning sun. The name is easier to figure out than the captivating flower shape; to pronounce Cochleanthes, say “coke-lee-ANN-these.”

• Bring warm growers indoors before temps fall too much. Take the opportunity to remove any leaf or flower debris. Check for pests, paying attention to leaf undersides and the potting media. A little prevention now can save a lot of headaches later, so I always spray with insecticidal soap before bringing orchids inside.
• Increase light levels to compensate for fall’s weakening sunlight and shorter days. Consider adding artificial light as a supplement. For all varieties, even lower-light Phals and Paphs, providing some direct morning sun can keep them happy until spring. Make any light increase gradually over 2 weeks to avoid burning leaves.
• As home and office heating systems switch on, they dry the air. Pay extra attention to maintaining high humidity. Dry air invites pests.
• Many orchids are moving into a dormant stage. Slowly reduce watering for Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Miltonias, Odonts, Oncidiums, Vandas, and any other variety with pseudobulbs. Begin to cut back on fertilizer as well.

To grow this variety, place in bright light with some direct sun. Water every other day (more if it’s warm,) and keep in cool, breezy conditions. They enjoy regular fertilizer or a good dose of compost. Keep them drier during winter dormancy.

This species is native to the Andes of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, where it grows at elevations up to 10,500 ft. (3200  m.) At those dizzying heights, it’s no surprise that it prefers temps below 80°F (27°C.) It can survive freezes down to 25°F (-4°C,) but it’s best to avoid such cold temps for plants in cultivation.

Don’t let Cyrtochilum’s name scare you; pronouncation is easier than you might think. Say “sear tow KYE lum” to rhyme with “dear go by him.” Botanists have been debating this beauty’s place in the orchid family tree for years, so it’s sometimes labeled as an Oncidium.

This species is native to elevations of 8000 – 9000 ft. (2438 – 2743 m.) from only a single valley near Cochabamba, Bolivia. That’s the largest city in Chapare Province, which provides the species name Masdevallia chaparensis. Its cloud forest home in that narrow band of the Andes is similar to this mild climate about 5 miles from the Golden Gate. Since there’s no rain here during summer, I water daily until winter rains resume. It loves a good shot of compost, but growers who use artificial fertilizers should only use weak doses.

To pronounce it, say “see-LODGE-in-ee.” This species originates in the mountains of Vietnam, where it grows in cloud forests up to 6500 ft. (2000 m) high. It can handle a wide range of temperatures. Mine lives outside all year in the San Francisco fog, and receives some direct sun.

Coelogynes like frequent waterings during spring and summer, and less during winter dormancy. They enjoy regular fertilizer, high humidity, and good air movement. Almost 200 different Coelogyne species include varieties to suit warm, intermediate, or cool climates. They’re great for beginners who are ready to try a challenge beyond hybrids.