Supermarket orchid from last summer...

[Miljea]

Is sprouting with enthusiasm!

I've been watering it and feeding it. Should I report it in a bigger pot or do orchids like tight roots? Still in its clear pot with bark chip.

TIA. Will photograph if useful.

I have one from mothers day 2017, it somehow keeps coming back from the brink. Looks amazing at the moment. I can't help you but I have been wondering the same thing so I will jump on here and see if anyone has any good advice if you don't mind.

Lurking for the answer too

Orchids are a plant killers dream! Water them a tiny bit every week or so, snip the stem when all bids have flowered and they will keep coming back. They thrive on being ignored, that's why I have so many - all from supermarkets

Obvs meant buds!

I had a few neglected orchids and moved them to the kitchen and cut stems back to next visible module. I watered them once a week only and on the advice of a friend with good orchids, only in the morning. They absolutely thrived and both flowered repeatedly. So, lots of light and warmth and weekly watering. I feed them about once a year.

Yes I've had one from IKEA since 2015 it's survived being knocked about by DP during two house moves and currently has about ten or twelve buds on it and will shortly be looking fantastic again.

On the other hand I have had a few that people have bought me from supermarkets that have died quite sharpish.

I'm not proud of it but I'm not the best at looking after plants so I'd be gutted if this one died to be honest - it also marks the date/ year I moved to current town and met DP

To answer your q I've never repotted but always make sure it's in a sunny and warm place. I water very infrequently maybe once a week sometimes less.

sprouting with enthusiasm What form of enthusiasm? Leaves or flower buds? Either way, if it's happy, I'd be inclined to leave it. Don't risk upsetting it!

last time I read about how to look after them, it said "repot after flowering". I think the principle is that they're epiphytes, living on trees, so, while they like a reasonable amount of water, they also like it to drain away quite quickly. As the bark they're potted in gets older, it breaks down to something more like compost, which is more water retentive. And that's why you need to replace it every few years.

Every 2 weeks fill between the outside and inside pot with cooled boiled water. Leave for 2-3 hours and then tip out whatever water is left. Then ignore for 2 weeks

Thanks all. It has loads of flower buds.