Common orchid mistakes that 'kill' houseplants and how to avoid them

Orchids are often thought of as delicate divas of the plant , but what they really need is a little bespoke TLC to flourish.

The green-fingered experts at BabyBio have warned that an array of "mistakes" might actually be what's "killing" these elegant blooms. They've made it clear: "Like all plants, sunlight is essential to allow your orchid to convert light into energy, and in turn produce an orchid's beautiful blooms."

They recommend placing them on east or west-facing window sills which provide bright but indirect sunlight, perfect for year-round growth. However, leaving these beauties in direct sunlight can burn their blooms, so be sure to keep this in check.

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Wet soil is out of the question too, with the experts cautioning against such environments as it spells disaster for the plants, thus suggesting regular checks on compost dampness before watering.

Their advice is crystal clear: "To prevent over or under-watering, always check the dampness of the compost first to ensure it needs a drink. Ideally, you'll want to water it when the potting mix is almost dry, but not completely dry."

Misting to boost humidity is another trick, but comes with a caveat – avoid drenching those leaves to fend off mould, fungus, and leaf rot. Feed them well is the issued mantra, advocating a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium delivered via specialist plant food, reports .

experts rave about Baby Bio's Orchid Food, available in garden centres and online, for keeping your blooms at their best. They revealed, "Orchids should be repotted every year so that they can continue to bloom and flourish, however, many leave them in the same pot for years."

They added: "If roots appear tight and tangled or you spot white roots growing out of the container, it may be time to repot. Another sign your orchid might need repotting is if its roots are beginning to rot, or appear soft and brown, as this could be a sign that your compost is no longer draining effectively."

They emphasize how using the right compost is key for orchids since they thrive on rough bark, not soil.