The lifespan of an orchid will depend on many factors, including the type of orchid, their environment, the proper care provided and watering. If properly cared for, they can bloom twice a year for 15-20 years, and in the case of phalaenopsis orchids, their blooms typically last from two to three months.

After the initial bloom has passed, the plants go into a resting phase. Some people think they've lost their orchids when they see them start to wilt and look like they're about to die. What isn't obvious though, is that the plant is actually saving up energy to prepare for its upcoming flowering season.

If required, this would be the best time to repot your orchid. Potting into a large clear grow pot with drainage holes, using either sphagnum moss or bark chips (or a mixture!) as you medium. Orchid roots like to photosynthesize so using a clear grow pot helps the plant a lot. However, if you prefer you can always cover up the clear grow pot with a ceramic pot if this fits your aesthetic. Avoid forcefully pushing all of the roots down into the into the potting medium, roots that grow up and outwards of the grow pot are perfectly normal and called "aerial roots". Pushing or moving these aerial roots could result in damage or breakage which can end up killing your plant. When plants go through their resting phase, they put energy into new foliage (leaves) and root systems. Now you can fertilise your plants using a liquid orchid fertiliser; following the manufacturer's instructions, about once every month.

Humidity is the last thing to think about when growing plants indoors. This is a tropical plant so it really enjoys a humid environment. Think of somewhere in your house where you can get humidity and light. The bathroom! Orchids tend to do pretty well near bathrooms, so it's an ideal spot to place one. Otherwise, you can give the kitchen a go or look to increase the humidity surrounding the plant manually.

The most common issue with household orchid plants it adding too much water, so a custom potting mix that includes moss, bark chips and maybe a bit of gravel, this provides a nice medium that allows for sufficient drainage. It is also important to note that the pot should have a drainage holes in the bottom so that any excess water never accumulates around the roots causing root rot. 

After a year or so, moss and bark can start to break down and decompose, and that is a sure sign that is time to repot your orchids. leaving your orchids in decomposing medium for too long can cause root rot and bacterial infections that could kill your plant. 

Orchids come in over 25,000 different varieties. The Phalaenopsis Orchid is popular and widely accessible because of its ability to bloom for a long time and its minimal maintenance requirements.

Colorful flower blooms help to sell orchids so most of them available to purchase will already be in bloom. This can be helpful as it lets you see and select a specific colour choice. On the other hand, the more blooms that are open on the plant at the time of purchase, the shorter the bloom time will last. If purchasing you orchid in person, time a pick the one with the most unopen buds, as you don't know how long the open flowers have been open for, and don't want to cheat yourself out of a long beautiful bloom period. 

When purchasing in store - look at the stems and leaf surfaces for signs of insects and fungi. Orchids can be attractive to some types of insects. Check for white spots on the underside of leaves as an indication of pest infestation. Fungus looks like brown or black spots, usually with yellow around the edges. The key to preventing any issues down the line is to pick the best plant possible from the start and unless you are very familiar with rehabilitating orchids, avoid purchasing any "rescue" plants.