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🌺 Welcome to the Mulliken Nursery Orchid Care Guide

Orchids can look intimidating, but once you understand their rhythms, they’re some of the most rewarding plants you can grow. At Mulliken Nursery, we work with orchids every day — from Catteleyas to Vandas — and this guide brings together everything you need to keep them happy, healthy, and blooming.

Whether you’re brand-new to orchids or adding rare hybrids to your collection, this page is your “home base” for care, troubleshooting, and blooming tips.

🌱 ORCHID CARE ESSENTIALS (ALL ORCHIDS)

These basics apply to every orchid in your home or greenhouse:

Light

  • Bright, indirect light is ideal

  • East or south windows (with filtered light) work best

  • Too little light = no blooms

  • Too much sun = leaf scorch

Water

  • Water in the morning

  • Let roots breathe — orchids hate soggy pots

  • Leaves wrinkling? Underwatered

  • Mushy or black roots? Overwatered

Potting Media

Use orchid bark, sphagnum moss, perlite, charcoal, or blends — never regular potting soil.

Humidity

Aim for 50–70% for most orchids.
Use trays, humidifiers, or grouping to increase levels.

Temperature

Most orchids like 65–85°F, with slight nighttime drops.

Airflow

Light airflow prevents rot, fungus, and pests.

🔧 TROUBLESHOOTING: QUICK FIXES

Yellow leaves: Normal aging or overwatering
Shriveled pseudobulbs: Not enough water
Black spots: Fungal issue or sunburn
Brown tips: Low humidity
No blooms: Not enough light, wrong temperature, or needs rest
Sticky residue: Possible scale or aphids
Bud blast (buds drop): Sudden temperature change, low humidity, or stress

If you see it → scroll down to the genus section for specific solutions.

🌸 BLOOMING & REBLOOMING TIPS

  • Orchids need bright light to bloom

  • Many require a nighttime temperature drop to trigger spikes

  • Do not repot during a bloom cycle

  • Fertilize regularly (light but consistent)

  • After flowers fade, trim spikes according to the genus instructions

🌺 GENUS-SPECIFIC CARE

🌼 CATTLEYA GROUP (Cattleya, Brassocattleya, Laeliocattleya, Rlc., Blc.)

Catts love bright light — the brighter the light, the more blooms you get.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Bright, indirect with some gentle sun

  • Water: Let dry slightly between waterings

  • Humidity: 50–70%

  • Temperature: 65–85°F

  • Blooming: Usually 1–2 times per year

Common Issues:

  • Wrinkled pseudobulbs → needs more frequent watering

  • Dark green leaves → not enough light

  • Yellow, leathery leaves → too much sun

💛 ONCIDIUM GROUP (“Dancing Lady,” Oncidium, Oncostele, Odontoglossum types)

These orchids like even moisture but still need great airflow.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Bright, indirect

  • Water: Don’t let them dry out completely

  • Humidity: 50–70%

  • Temperature: 60–80°F

Common Issues:

  • Accordion leaves → inconsistent watering

  • Spotting → water sitting on leaves overnight

🌿 DENDROBIUM (Cane Types)

Some prefer a winter rest; others grow year-round.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Bright

  • Water: Water well in growing season

  • Humidity: 50%+

  • Temperature: 65–85°F

Notes:

  • Dendrobiums often bloom on older canes — don’t cut them

🌈 VANDA

High-light, high-humidity orchids prized for bold blooms.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Very bright

  • Water: Daily in hot weather, every 2–3 days otherwise

  • Humidity: 60–80%

  • Temperature: 70–90°F

Notes:

  • They love airflow

  • Roots should turn green when watered

🌸 RHYNCHOSTYLIS

Fragrant, compact relatives of Vandas.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Medium-bright

  • Water: Every 2–3 days

  • Humidity: 60–80%

  • Temperature: 65–85°F

🌺 PHALAENOPSIS (Moth Orchids)

Beginner-friendly, forgiving, and bloom for months.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Medium, indirect

  • Water: Weekly, or when moss feels dry

  • Humidity: 50–60%

  • Temperature: 65–80°F

🌾 PHRAGMIPEDIUM (Slipper Orchids)

These love constant moisture — never let them dry out.

Care Summary:

  • Light: Bright, filtered

  • Water: Keep evenly moist

  • Humidity: 60–70%

  • Temperature: 65–85°F

🌱 FERTILIZING ORCHIDS

  • “Weekly, weakly” rule: feed lightly every week

  • Use balanced orchid fertilizer (15-15-15 or 20-20-20)

  • Flush pots monthly to prevent salt buildup

Safe homemade options:

  • Diluted worm casting tea

  • Eggshell calcium (crushed finely)

  • Banana water (very diluted, 24-hour soak)

💧 WATERING & HUMIDITY — DEEPER DETAILS

  • Morning watering is best

  • Never leave orchids sitting in old water

  • Vandas and Oncidiums love higher humidity

  • Catts prefer to dry between waterings

  • Phrags must stay evenly moist

🐛 PEST PREVENTION & TREATMENT

  • Wipe leaves monthly

  • Inspect new plants

  • Treat thrips/mites early

  • Use neem, insecticidal soap, or diluted alcohol for scale/mealybugs

📦 ACCLIMATING NEW ORCHIDS

  • Expect 1–2 weeks of adjustment

  • Don’t repot immediately unless roots are rotten

  • Keep away from hot windows or drafts

  • Increase humidity during transition

🏷 SHOP MULLIKEN ORCHIDS

Explore orchids at Mulliken Nursery → (link your orchid collection here)


📄 Download the Orchid Care Flyer

Click the link below to download your printable tri-fold orchid care guide:

👉 Download Orchid Care Flyer