Soak, Drain, Thrive! It literally takes 3 minutes to step up your orchid game and keep them thriving. It could be a lifetime of beauty if you stay in a routine, counsels Westerlay Orchids.

• Check the roots that are in the plastic liner. If they are green and the bark is dark and moist, watering can wait a few more days! If the roots look gray, and the bark is dry, it’s time to water.


• Place the orchid in a watertight container.


• Pour water onto the bark, and let the water fill the container to the halfway mark.


• Let the orchid soak for at least 20 minutes. If the orchid is very dry, it can soak for 1-2 hours.


• Remove the orchid from the water and allow it to drain. Save the drainage water for your outdoor plants so it doesn’t go to waste.


• Return the orchid to the decorative pot and enjoy.

Based in Carpinteria, California, Westerlay Orchids is Southern California’s largest commercial orchid grower. The company annually distributes more than three million orchids directly to customers and to local and national supermarket chains, as well as florists and designers.

(Photo, above, courtesy of Westerlay Orchids)