Choose Orchids for a Long-Lasting Valentine Gift

Are you looking for a last-minute gift for your loved one today? Consider an orchid. Sure, a dozen red roses are THE thing to get your Valentine, but roses wilt and die so quickly. Orchids can last for years if you treat them right – and they aren’t nearly as hard to care for as some people think.

Stop by your local Trader Joe’s, Home Depot, Ikea, or florist and they will likely have some phalaenopsis orchids to choose from. Phals are the easiest orchids to grow in the home. Bonus: they can be a whole lot cheaper than a bunch of roses! TJs, for example, sells many beautiful orchids for under $20. I got this pretty fuchsia phal at Ikea for $15 last spring and it has already produced side shoots and rebloomed for me:

Valentine's Day Orchid

Share the orchid love on Valentine’s Day and you’ll be rewarded for months (and maybe years) to come!

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3 comments

  1. So my husband got me an orchid for Valentines day… and its in my cubicle at work. I LOVE it but it came with no directions…. and I am terrified I will kill it.

    Any suggestions/back of the envelope advice? its my first orchid. I haven’t watered it yet. its looks fine… how much water do they need?

    Sigh, giving an orchid is a great gift, but it can also make the recipient nervous!

    1. Hi Alexa, congrats on your first orchid! These plants don’t like to be over-watered. If you water them too much, the roots can rot. As a general rule of thumb, orchids should be watered about every 7-10 days, or when you can tell that the potting medium (moss, bark, etc) has almost all dried out.

      One way to find out if it’s time to water is to insert a bamboo skewer into the potting medium. If the skewer is moist when you pull it out, the orchid doesn’t need to be watered yet. I sometimes feel the medium through the holes at the very bottom of the pot to see if it feels pretty dry. If it does, then I go ahead and water.

      You can water the plant by soaking it under the faucet, and just make sure to let it drain well. Letting the roots stand in water isn’t good for the plant.

      I hope that helps! Feel free to come back with any more questions!

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