How to Trim and Care for Indoor Orchids

Orchids are low-maintenance flowers that brighten up an indoor environment. Because they don't like direct sunlight, they are relatively easy to grow indoors. They made their debut with gardeners in the 1700s and quickly earned a reputation for being challenging growers. Since then, they have become increasingly affordable and popular -- especially as experts and amateurs alike have learned the tricks to caring for them. In conditions that mimic their natural homes in tropical climates, they bloom for two months and can survive in the house for years.

Pot

Fir tree bark (or another appropriate soil)

Fertilizer

Grow orchids in potting soil consisting of fir tree bark, tree fern, charcoal, perlite, volcanic stone or a combination of these. Because orchids naturally grow by attaching themselves to trees, they need tree bark or soil that mimics tree bark to survive.

Position orchids in a south-facing window for optimal growth. They need bright light, but little to no direct sunlight. If midday sun beats down on them, provide shade with a sheer curtain. If you prefer to grow orchids under artificial lighting, the United States Botanic Garden recommends a combination of cool and warm-white fluorescent lights. Use at least four tubes that are 4 feet in length for sufficient light.

Keep your orchids in warm temperatures during the day, preferably between 65 and 80 degrees. Inspire flowering by making sure temperatures drop about 10 degrees at night, without going below 50 degrees. This temperature change mimics natural conditions.

Keep humidity levels at 40 to 60 percent. Turn on a humidifier, place orchids in a bathroom window or position them in plastic pots in a gravel-filled tray and add water to the gravel to increase humidity. Keeping orchids close together also helps.

Water orchids thoroughly about once a week, when the soil dries out. Allow the water to drain out of the bottoms of the pots to avoid soggy conditions that spell death for many orchids. Phalaenopsis orchids -- some of the easiest to grow indoors due to their low light needs -- are the only orchids that should never dry out, because they can't store water.

Feed orchids with a weak fertilizer, but only while they are growing. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer for orchids, or dilute other fertilizers with water. Most orchids require an equal fertilizer ratio, such as 20-20-20. Those planted in bark need extra nitrogen -- denoted by the first number in the sequence -- such as 30-10-10 or 15-5-5.

Support the orchid with a stake if necessary; some orchids grow with thin stalks and heavy flowers.

Repot the orchid if its roots start to extended beyond the constraints of their container. Trim dead roots before repotting -- and only when the plant no longer is in bloom.

Keep air flowing and leaves dry to prevent fungus and disease.

Don't place orchids near air-conditioning or heating vents, as they may dry out.