Orchids are easy to grow and care for houseplants once you understand the ideal growing conditions and maintenance requirements.
While there are thousands of orchid species to choose from, the most commonly sold orchids are Phalaenopsis.
Struggling with getting their orchid to bloom, one woman took to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page to gather some advice.
Posting a picture of her orchid that has healthy roosts and leaves but not flowers, Katie Acland said: “My orchid hasn’t flowered in more than three years!
“I’ve been moving it around to different windows and rooms of the house but still no flowers. Where should I move it to?”
The golden rule for indoor orchid care is to duplicate the plant’s natural growing surroundings as closely as possible so location plays a big part in their blooming and thriving.
The majority of group members who replied in the comments all had one room in common – the bathroom.
Amanda Thompson wrote: “I have two in my bathroom and they love it. Had to repot them and they are flowering again. Humid they like minimal watering.”
Becky Thompson commented: “Mine lives in the bathroom now, but I too haven’t had a flower in a couple of years but suddenly there’s one coming through now that I’ve moved it here.”
Posting a picture of her six orchids all bursting with blooms, Linda Hill said: “I moved mine to my bathroom window and they haven’t stopped flowering for two years now.”
Joan Walker commented: “My orchid loves the fluctuating temperature in the bathroom. It sits on the windowsill.
“I water it occasionally when the roots have turned white and the bark is becoming dry and a few months ago, it gave such lovely blooms.”
Phalaenopsis orchids originated in the tropics, which means they love humidity. So what room of your home tends to be the most humid? The bathroom. The steam and heat from your bathroom shower will keep your plant hydrated and warm.
If your bathroom doesn’t have any windows, you should take your plant out of the room for part of the day and place it in another area of the home with indirect sunlight.
Rotating your plant between the bathroom and another room of your house also discourages mould growth from too much moisture.
For those who are looking to expand their orchid collection or want to start being an orchid owner, they can pick one up at M&S for £20 or from Primrose for £17.24 down from £22.99.
