Nurturing an indoor orchid so it thrives?

[loveyouradvice]

Just that really....I have a longing for beautiful orchids dotted around the house - in the bathrooms, on the landing ... just there....subtle and elegant

After years of killing beautiful orchids which I was sporadically given as presents, I've been following these top tips from two friends:

1. Only water once a week and give them very little
2. Keep them mildly stressed by being in a pot that feels a bit too small and full of roots
3. Use rainwater
4. Every four or five weeks simulate a tropical rainstorm - drench them... ideally warm rainwater but just masses and then drain

So this worked very well with two I was given - they lasted for 7 months, and then I went on holiday and they sadly died....

was sure to drain*

I'm loving all these tips! I was bought a beautiful one not that long ago and it's in my hall, I'm worried I'll kill it so to be honest I don't do much with it and the practically tip toe passed it giving it a little side ways glance. So far so good!

I have an orchid that must be 25 years old, maybe more. It was my late mums pride and joy then dad treasured it and it spent his last days in the hospice with him. I have been terrified of killing it but they are actually more robust than I ever thought.
I water very infrequently and have recently repotted it, which is the first time it has ever been done.
Leaves do fall off, but new ones will regrow. The excitement of seeing a new flower shoot emerging always gets me.
When mum passed my best friend gave me an orchid, then I got one from work and my daughter purchased herself 3 before going abroad for a year leaving me with orchid custody!
Technically I'm clueless on orchid care but they are more robust than you think and seem to thrive on neglect.