Question
I recently bought some orchids (vanda orchid, strap leaf vanda orchid, hawaiian bamboo orchid, dendrobium orchid, and phalaenopsis orchid)and have been watering every other day and the strap leaf vanda lost a leaf.I addded desolvable orchid food once a week and its spring. This got me worried and am wondering what Im doing wrong.i have also heard that it takes YEARS to grow orchids until they're mature and then start blossoming is this true?

Answer
Allison, the time it takes for an orchid to mature to blooming size depends upon: how old the plant is when you receive it, the type of plant,the condition it is in, and the care it receives. Phalaenopsis orchids are generally the easiest to care for and should bloom within a year or two of purchase.  However, you must repot it in orchid potting mix annually for best growth. A plant that is in a poor potting mix is inclined to devop root rot because the potting mix stays wet too long. Even a plant in fresh potting mix need be wtared only once per week as long as it is thoroughly soaked.  Phalaenopsis like to grow in an east window where they get the morning sunlight.

Unlike phalaenopsis, dendrobiums undergo a rest period.  During that period they may lose some or all of their leaves. That rest period must be honored and watering suspended while the plant is at rest.  Resume watering only after new growth begins. If you water a dendrobium while it is at rest, the plant may go into decline or rot.

Vandaceous orchids need high humidity and do best in a basket with little or no potting mix.  Under these conditions, they can be watered every day.  They  prefeer higher light levels and do well hanging in their basket outside when the weather is warm (eg low temp is 50 degrees).

The bamboo orchid prefers a very fine, almst soil-like potting mix and likes to stay damp.

A well grown plant should be able to flower within two-three years of purchase.  The vandaceous plants may take a bit longer depending upon their size. They can grow to three or more feet in height and blooming size for most would be about 12-18".

As you can tell, each type of orchid has its own special growing conditions and there is no one set of growing conditions suitable for all types.