Laura, darn! I never took the time to specialize in orchids and know very little about these plants, having never messed with them myself.

However, there are some things that I know. There are many, many different kinds of orchids and it's important to know what group any that you may have belong to. That way, you'll know best how to take care of the different plants that you may collect. They can differ in their culture.

I know of no orchid that blooms continuously.....a very long time, if cared for properly, but not all the time. When the flower dies off, the plant needs to be taken care of with love in order that it will bloom again for you in a few months. They can be quite long lived, though not in flower for much of that time.

I also know that, for the most part, they are a easy plant group to grow as long as you are willing to spend a wee bit of time on your homework.

Good luck...go ahead and visit the Orchid Forum....just to read a bunch of old threads that seem to ask the kinds of things you're wanting to know.?

Thank you...I will sneak over there and do some snooping!! I would love to see the plants in your home, I'll bet it is a jungle of plants...

Laura, a couple of years ago I picked up a couple of sticks that was a spent orchid from Freecycle. With a lot of help from Raven and others here, I was able to coax it to bloom. It's been blooming non-stop ever since. It's never without buds or blooms. It's a phal orchid.

If it has little mittens at the top, just put it in a bright spot, and water thoroughly when it needs it.

How beautiful!!! I think that is what I want for an Anniversary present...

Go for it Laura! If you have any questions there's lots of help here to get you going with it. Since mine grew from 2 sticks and even grew a third stick and more leaves, it can be done. Phal is the most common one, and easy to grow.

Laura, you'd be sorely disappointed if you expected a jungle in my home, lol! I do have a few, but I really don't like the feeling of having too much 'stuff' around me. And I don't want anything blocking the light coming into my rooms.

I've grown some gorgeous plants, though...but my preference is to help others witb theirs!

I did cultivate a really special bonsai collection (outside) for many years, but health problems made me decide to sell them. No regrets when I saw them go to good homes. I do admit that all of the buyers were well vetted! Wasn't about to let them go to just anybody, lol!

I have lots of beautiful orchids, I love them. You have to be willing to pay attention to them. Mine are almost always in bloom. The flowers will fade and fall off but new buds or as they are called in their beginning stage mittens. They are somewhat sensitive to their location. And they require moisture. I have my individual orchids pots inside a long rectangular planter that has a water tray on the bottom, I fill that with water so there's moisture from that around them. Some people put their orchids pots on a dish of peat gravel with water in the gravel.
Watering orchids is important and the best way to learn is to get an orchid that has a clear pot which is set into the decorative pot. Seeing the color of the roots let's you know how healthy it is and if it needs water or not.

The best way to water one is to take it to the sink turn the water on to room temperature, they don't like cold, set the plant under the running water for a few minutes let the water flow through the roots. Leave it sitting in the sink for a while it is enjoying the moist environment. I will do that about once a week, a good long soaking. Seeing the roots will help with how often it needs water. If they look all dry that means it needs water, if they are pretty and green and plump it's good.

I posted a lot of information about this topic and pictures of mittens and roots here so try a search.

There are many types and prices I recommend getting a cheaper one to learn. Jasdip has done fantastic with her freebie!