Dear Orchid Doc:

When should I repot my orchid?

— JD

Dear JD:

Orchids should be repotted every 2-3 years and the best time to repot is March to October. Choose a pot which is big enough to allow for another three years’ growth. You might like to put it in a clear pot which replicates the conditions they get in the wild. Always use a bark mix which is specially designed for orchids.

Dear Orchid Doc:

Do I need to feed my orchid?

— Kimone

Dear Kimone:

We recommend feeding once a week whilst they are flowering. Use a feed designed specifically for orchids, like the Orchid Myst or Orchid Focus Ultra, which will encourage them to flower.

Dear Orchid Doc:

My orchid’s air roots have dried and shrivelled. What can I do?

— Carl

Dear Carl:

It’s OK if your orchid’s air roots have turned yellow or have become dry. This is often the case if the environment where you keep your orchid has low humidity. Though they can look unpleasant, dried air roots won’t hurt your orchid. You can try increasing humidity by creating a humidity tray, or when your orchid has stopped blooming, you can remove the shrivelled air roots with a sterile knife or pair of scissors.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I am growing my Phalaenopsis orchids in the house but they never bloom. What can I do?

— Jody

Dear Jody:

The most common reason for any orchids not to bloom is insufficient light. Move your plants to a window where they will receive strong, but indirect, light (near a south-facing window is ideal). You might also try lighting your plants with a fluorescent light fixture placed about 1-2 feet above the foliage. Give up to 12 hours of supplemental light per day. Phalaenopsis will also develop flower spikes in response to a cool period of about four weeks with night temperatures of 55F. After the cool treatment, raise the night temperature back to the normal 60-65F minimum. See if these changes to your growing conditions help to stimulate your plants to bloom.