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Taking care of store bought orchids starts with understanding that they aren’t as fragile as they look, but they do need specific conditions to thrive.
You can easily take care of store bought orchids by mimicking the tropical environment they came from, which means focusing on light, water, humidity, and the right potting medium.
Most store bought orchids are phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, and they’re actually quite forgiving once you learn their rhythm.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to take care of store bought orchids so they stay healthy, rebloom, and last for months or even years.
Let’s dive into the simple daily habits that keep your orchid happy.
Why Taking Care of Store Bought Orchids Starts With the Right Environment
The reason most people struggle with store bought orchids is that they treat them like typical houseplants, but orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees in the wild.
When you take care of store bought orchids, you’re recreating that airy, humid, bright-but-indirect environment.
So, the foundation of orchid care is not about watering more; it’s about matching their natural habitat.
1. Light Is the Most Important Factor When You Take Care of Store Bought Orchids
Store bought orchids love bright, indirect sunlight, just like what filters through a rainforest canopy.
Place your orchid near an east-facing window where it gets gentle morning sun, or a few feet back from a south or west window.
Direct afternoon sun can scorch the leaves, so if you see yellow or brown patches, that’s a sunburn.
A good sign your orchid gets enough light is when the leaves are a medium, grassy green, not dark green or reddish.
If you’re unsure, you can take care of store bought orchids by rotating the pot a quarter turn each week so all sides get even light.
2. Watering Is the Trickiest Part of Taking Care of Store Bought Orchids
When you take care of store bought orchids, the golden rule is to water only when the roots look silvery-white and the potting mix feels dry.
Overwatering is the number one killer, because orchid roots need air and will rot if they sit in soggy media.
A simple method is to place the inner pot in a sink, pour lukewarm water through the bark for about 15 seconds, and let it drain completely.
Never let your orchid sit in standing water, and always water in the morning so moisture evaporates before night.
You’ll typically water every 7 to 10 days, but always check the roots first because your home’s temperature and humidity matter.
3. Humidity and Air Circulation Keep Store Bought Orchids Hydrated
Store bought orchids come from humid jungles, so they appreciate humidity levels around 50-70%.
If your home is dry, you can take care of store bought orchids by placing a humidity tray (a shallow dish with pebbles and water) under the pot.
Just make sure the bottom of the pot doesn’t touch the water, or you’ll risk root rot.
Also, orchids need gentle air movement to prevent fungal issues, so keep them away from vents, drafts, and closed stuffy corners.
A light breeze from a ceiling fan on low or an open window is perfect for mimicking their natural breeze.
4. Potting Medium and Repotting Are Part of Long-Term Orchid Care
The store bought orchid you bring home is usually potted in coarse bark or sphagnum moss, which is exactly what you want.
However, this media breaks down over a year or two, so repotting is essential for taking care of store bought orchids long-term.
Repot every 1-2 years, or when the bark starts crumbling and draining poorly.
When you repot, use a clear plastic pot with drainage holes, and a fresh orchid bark mix so the roots can breathe and dry out quickly.
If you see mushy, brown, or hollow roots during repotting, snip them off with sterile scissors, since healthy roots are firm and green or silvery.
How to Take Care of Store Bought Orchids After Blooming
Once your store bought orchid drops its last flower, many people think it’s dying, but it’s just taking a rest.
Taking care of store bought orchids after blooming is easy if you know one simple trick.
1. Cut the Spike to Encourage Reblooming
After the flowers fall, look at the flower spike, which is the long stem.
If it’s still green, you can cut it about an inch above the second node (the little bump), and a new spike may branch out.
If the spike is brown and dried up, cut it off at the base.
This helps the orchid save energy for new roots and leaves instead of wasting it on a dead spike.
2. Give It a Slight Rest Period
For a few weeks after blooming, you can take care of store bought orchids by reducing fertilizer and watering just a bit less.
This rest period mimics the dry season in nature and helps trigger the next bloom cycle.
Keep the same light and humidity, but don’t be surprised if leaves look slightly less glossy during this time.
3. Fertilize Weakly, Weekly
Orchids are light feeders, so you should fertilize with a balanced orchid fertilizer at quarter strength.
Do this once a week during active growth, and flush the pot with plain water every month to wash out salt buildup.
Too much fertilizer can burn the roots, so when you take care of store bought orchids, remember that less is always more.
Common Mistakes When You Take Care of Store Bought Orchids
Even with the best intentions, people make a few common errors with orchids.
Avoiding these will make a huge difference in how well your store bought orchid thrives.
1. Watering on a Fixed Schedule
This is the biggest mistake.
If you water every Monday just because, you might drown your orchid or let it dry out too much.
Always check the roots and media first, that’s the only reliable way to know when to water.
2. Moving the Plant Too Often
Orchids hate change, especially when it comes to light.
If you keep moving your orchid from room to room, the leaves will adapt to lower light and stop blooming.
Pick a spot and stick with it for months at a time.
3. Using Ice Cubes to Water
That trend is bad for orchids because ice water shocks the tropical roots and can cause damage.
Always use lukewarm water, and never ice.
Your orchid will thank you with healthier roots and more flowers.
So, How Do You Take Care of Store Bought Orchids?
To take care of store bought orchids, you need to give them bright indirect light, water only when roots are dry, and keep them in a humid spot with good airflow.
After blooming, cut the spike and give them a short rest, then resume regular feeding with a weak fertilizer.
Avoid overwatering, direct sun, and moving them around, and your orchid will rebloom beautifully.
It’s really about consistency and observation, not complicated schedules or special skills.
Now you have all the tools to keep your store bought orchid alive, happy, and flowering for many seasons to come.
Good luck, and enjoy watching those beautiful blooms return.