poor man's orchid

Poor Man's Orchid (Schizanthus pinnatus) should be watered from May through October twice a week. You should water thoroughly, until the water drains through the pot. In the winter months when the plant is dormant,water sparingly, about once a month. The potting mix should be allowed to partially dry out between waterings. Be sure not to let the plant sit in soggy soil, as this can cause root rot.

Poor man's orchid needs full sun exposure 4-6 hours per day. It prefers sunny mornings with shade from mid-day to late afternoon. It does not tolerate any drought and will suffer if planted in an area that gets less sun than recommended. Poor man's orchid has an ability to tolerate high temperatures but direct desert sunlight will cause plant foliage to sunburn and die. It is better suited for a cooler climate and can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8-11.

Pruning Poor man's orchids (Schizanthus pinnatus) is relatively easy and should be done twice a year. The first pruning should take place in the spring, just before the plant begins to flower in order to promote bushier, fuller growth. This involves cutting back all of the stems of the plant by a third to half their length. The second pruning should take place in late summer, once the last of the plant’s blooms have faded and the stems are beginning to yellow or die back. Pruning at this time will help to keep the plant in good shape and ensure strong flowering the following season.