Novelty Phalaenopsis - Sunset

Repotme Orchid Supply offers the highest quality orchid supplies, orchid mix, media, orchid pots and fertilizer for orchids.

October Orchid Care

To Do Now:

In many areas it's getting chilly outside, especially at night, and now is the time to think about bringing in those orchids that have summered outside. Planning ahead can make this transition easier for all. We have a nice selection of Humidi-Grow black humidity trays for setting up nice indoor spaces for orchids returning inside. The quad grate humidity tray is very large and allows ample space for several orchids. Be sure to have GET OFF ME! Natural Insect Spray on hand for any interlopers that try to hitch a ride indoors.
Orchids need natural cues to let them know it is time to set their bloom spikes. Phals in particular need to experience the chill in the air of early fall. Leave the window open a crack in the evening when possible. Many orchids need to experience the shortening days and lengthing nights. Beware of night lights and supplemental lighting that we have in our homes as they rob the orchids of this important seasonal cue. Decrease fertilization back to winter levels (weakly, weekly). These three important signals, changes in temperature, light and food, are beneficial here in October.
Repot summer bloomers such as Doritis, Doritaenopsis, Encyclia, Miltonia, Miltonopsis, Massdevalia, late blooming Phalaenopsis & Stanhopea when they go out of bloom. Repot seedlings, especially Phalaenopsis seedlings, now that the active summer growth time is done in our Orchid Mixes.

Looking Ahead:

Orchids that are in bloom now may well need repotting when their blooming ends. It is time to think about having mixes and pots on hand to repot those orchids.
November is the time of year to decorate for the winter months and the holiday season. Many orchids are coming into their full bloom at this time. Our ceramic orchid pots make a perfect display as well as an ideal gift. Our large 9 inch orchid pots make an impressive centerpiece and flower clips add a decorative touch!
We are looking to have most of our Phalaenopsis setting spikes by Thanksgiving. Get ready to stake up all those spikes and arching inflorences. We'll show you an example in our orchid staking tutorial. Not sure if it is a spike or a root? Look for the classic mitten shape as shown here.

Looking Back:

September is a time of changes, it marks the end of summer growth season and we begin to look forward to the fall blooms. For those orchids that are sensitive to day length, we want to make sure they can notice the shortening days of fall and not be tricked by indoor lighting. If orchids are under supplemental lighting, changing the timer frequently to match the shortening days allows orchids to experience the shortening days.
Make sure you have plenty of FEED ME! MSU Orchid Fertilizer on hand. Although we won't continue feeding orchids at elevated summer levels beyond September, we will be feeding "weakly weekly" going forward.
In preparation for fall repotting, take a look at our Classic Orchid Mixes and Imperial Orchid Mixes. You're sure to find just the right mix for your environment. If you'd like to make your own orchid mix, you can choose the media you want and we'll make up a custom Select-A-Blend mix just for you.