Orchid Care Calendar

keep tabs on orchid care

The cycle of orchid growth and bloom is fascinating to watch. Keeping in sync with these cycles by actively fertilizing and repotting at the optimal times leads to greater success in orchid growing. Depending on where you live, the cycle of orchid growth and bloom may be different than it is for us here in Washington, D.C. The chart below shows what we will be doing and looking for in each season. This chart is just a guideline, you may experience different cycles based upon your environment and orchid collection.


To see which orchid mix suits the needs of your plant, see our orchid mix finder. Please note that not every orchid requires repotting every year, though the repotting status of each orchid should be checked. For example, in the Spring we will check our Brassovola to see if they need repotting. If one was repotted last year, is healthy and not growing out of the pot, and the mix looks like it will last another year then that plant will wait until next year to be repotted. We try not to go more than 2 years between repotting, far less for Phals, Paphs, Phrags and seedlings.


Spring Orchid Care

Repot These Orchids

Brassavola, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Lycaste, Masdevalia, Odontoglossom, Oncidium, Paphs, Seedlings, Phrags & Psychopsis

Look For Blooms On These Orchids

Cattleya, Epidendrum, Phalaenopsis, Vanda & late blooming Paphs

Fertilizing Tips

Increase strength of fertilization and check light levels as they become stronger. Greenhouses and sun porches may need shade cloth installed.

Extra Tips

Move orchids with high light needs outside for the summer.

Summer Orchid Care

Repot These Orchids

Phals & Cattleya as they go out of bloom, finish repotting of Paphs by early summer. Also repot late blooming epidendrums.

Look For Blooms On These Orchids

Catasetum, Doritis, Doritaenopsis, Encyclia, Miltonia, Stanhopea & Vanda

Fertilizing Tips

Continue fertilizing at twice the winter rate. Increase watering to compensate for moisture lost during high temperatures.

Look For New Growth On These Orchids

Brassavola, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Lycaste, Masdevalia, Odontoglossom, Oncidium, Paphs, Phals, Phrags & Psychopsis - stake as necessary.

Fall Orchid Care

Repot These Orchids

Doritis, Doritaenopsis, Encyclia, Miltonia & Stanhopea as they go out of bloom. Repot seedlings as necessary, especially Phalaenopsis seedlings.

Look For Blooms On These Orchids

Oncidium, Miltoniopsis, Phragmipedium, Psychopsis & Sophronitis

Fertilizing Tips

Decrease fertilization rate, allow Phals to experience the chill of early fall, allow other orchids to experience the shortening of the day length. Bring orchids indoors that have been outside for the summer. Stake spikes as they grow. Check light conditions, remove shade cloth as necessary.

Look For Spikes On These Orchids

Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Brassavola, Dendrobiums

Winter Orchid Care

Repot These Orchids

Oncidium, Miltoniopsis & Cymbidium as they finish blooming.

Look For Blooms On These Orchids

Brassavola, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Lycaste, Masdevalia, Odontoglossom, Oncidium, Paphs, Phrags & Psychopsis

Winter Tips

Reduce watering as necessary. Increase humidity in heated conditions. Watch out for disease and cold damage

Look For Spikes On These Orchids

Cattleya, Epidendrum, Phalaenopsis, Paphs & Vanda

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