Synopsis Phalaenopsis: How to Keep Your Phalaenopsis Orchid Thriving

Join Smithsonian Gardens and the National Museum of African American History and Culture for a special National Orchid Day presentation of Let’s Talk African American Gardens featuring Terry Richardson!
 

This webinar demonstration will cover the fundamentals of how to care for Phalaenopsis orchids from the time you bring it home through what to do when the orchid is done flowering. At the end of this presentation, you will know how to set up the right environment to maximize orchid growth and blooming cycles, how to prune your orchid after flowering, and how to repot your orchid.
 

This program is presented in conjunction with Smithsonian Gardens’ and the United States Botanic Garden’s 30th annual joint orchid exhibition, More than a Flower: the Connective Power of Orchids on view at the National Museum of African American History and Culture through April 26, 2026.

This program includes auto-generated captions. ASL interpretation is available for webinar programs with a two-week advanced notice. To request this service, please email gardens@si.edu.

Presenter Bio:

Terry Richardson, a.k.a. The Black Thumb, fell into his passion for orchids when he rescued his first orchid “Penelope” from the dumpster at their apartment complex in 2018. Penelope was in rough shape initially, but after 18 months of care she bloomed. Since that time Terry has been helping others find the joys of orchid growing through his social media platforms. Terry has been featured on numerous gardening podcasts including Gardening with The RHS, Cultivating Place, and On the Ledge Podcast. Terry has also been featured in the LA Times for his work with orchids.