Water

• Using ice cubes to water your orchid will alleviate the urge to over water.blue icecube image by martin schmid from Fotolia.com
  
  Orchids potted in bark should be watered no more than once a week. Some orchids are planted in moss, and they should only receive water once every ten days since the moss holds more moisture than bark. No orchids like a lot of water; the best rule of thumb to avoid overwatering the plant is to place two to three ice cubes on the plant and let them melt. Orchids must be grown in pots with good drainage.
  
  

Fertilize

• In their natural environment, orchids take nutrients from organic debris their roots catch. In your home or office, orchids must be fertilized once a week when you water the plant. Always measure the fertilizer and use it at half-strength. Use fertilizers that are made specifically for orchids. Dry leaf tips are usually a sign of too much fertilizer. Cut off the dried tips with scissors and cut back the amount of fertilizer used.
  
  

Light

• An orchid's leaves should be a vibrant, light-green color, which indicates the plant is healthy and receiving the perfect amount of indirect light.orchid image by Alexander Maksimenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Direct sunlight will cause your orchid to die. An ideal location for your plant is behind curtains or window blinds so the plant receives only indirect light. Leaf color is also a good indicator as to the amount of light a plant is receiving. Orchids should have a bright green leaf color. Dark green leaves are a sign that your plant is receiving insufficient light, and yellowish-green or red leaves indicate that your plant is receiving too much light.
  
  

Bloom

• Most orchids will produce a gorgeous bloom for two to three months. Once the plant’s bloom dies you can cut the plant and wait for new growth that will produce more blooms. A Phalaenopsis plant should be cut right below the first flower on the spray, and all other orchids may be cut at the base of the plant. Some orchids bloom a few times a year, while others bloom only once a year. Most orchids are not fragrant.
  
  

Repotting

• Orchids should be repotted right after flowering. Orchids do not grow in soil, but rather in sphagnum moss or bark. Keep the orchid in its original environment, whether it is moss or bark. If the orchid is not repotted, the bark or moss becomes decomposed and packed down, which does not allow the roots to aerate properly, and drainage is blocked.