Orchid Care
Because of the diversity of orchids, there is no "One Method" of orchid care. The type of orchid care that your orchid plant needs depends on the type of growing environment of its natural state.
For this reason the most important part of orchid care is learning about your orchid flowers natural environment. Some orchids are adapted to deep shade while other orchid plants require bright sunshine. Each orchid flower also has specific requirements for humidity, temperature and growing medium.
That said, however, orchid care is does not have to be rigidly followed. Orchid flowers are quite hardy and are able to withstand most of the natural fluctuations that occur in any wild environment.
If you are just starting out with orchids, you are best to choose an orchid plant that requires easy orchid care.
Light for Orchid Care
Before choosing an orchid plant, consider where you are going to grow it and access the light level of that location. Different types of orchids have different light requirements, so this is one of the most important considerations in orchid care.
Orchid plants that do well in low-light conditions include Paphiopedilum (Lady Slipper), Phalaenopsis, and Oncidium. If you have moderate to high light conditions you should choose an orchid flower like Cattleya, Dendrobium, or Vanda. These three orchids respond best to orchid care which includes warm temperatures and a south or west facing window.
Temperature for your Orchid Plant
Generally speaking orchid do best in a warm, moist environment, which is why so many are grown in greenhouses. This does not mean, however, that you need a greenhouse to provide adequate orchid care. In fact, many orchid plants are quite suitable for the average temperatures of most homes.
A stable temperature is preferred over fluctuating hot and cold, but orchids are quite hardy and some are even able to withstand short exposures to freezing temperatures.
Humidity for the best Orchid Flower
Here again, the comfort level for people is a good gauge for most orchid flowers. A home with dry air will mean discomfort for both the human and the orchid inhabitants, so get a humidifier so increase the moisture levels - especially during the winter months.
Take care not to give too much water to your orchid. Most orchids are epiphytic meaning that they grow on other plants or materials rather than in the soil. They should never be allowed to soak in water because they don't do this in their natural environment.
So, for the best orchid care, find out how your orchid grows in the wild and try to duplicate those conditions. That doesn't mean creating a jungle in your home, but if you make your orchid feel "at home" it will reward you with years of beauty.
Comments
Mary
09 Nov 2006, 06:56
I have a Cattleya which hasn't bloomed for the past year. Reading this
article I guess my orchid doesn't get enough light. I'll have to buy some
artificial lights as my window is shaded most of the time. Annoying because
when I bought the plant they told me I wouldn't need ANY artificial
lighting....
Thanks!
david craig
09 May 2007, 04:34
hi, after the flower dies on the stem, do you cut the stem? and if so will
it flower
again on that stem? david.
David
09 May 2007, 09:34
Yes, I've found that I need artificial lights for my Catteleyas during the
winter
months - and the humidifier needs to be going constantly.
SUSOVAN SINHA
19 Sep 2007, 09:35
PLEASE MAIL ABOUT ORCHID NUTRITION DOSAGE TEMPERATURE LIGHT AND THE
VARAITIES THAT CAN EASULY BLOOM IN INDIAN CULTURE WARM REGARDS SUSOVAN
SINHA INDIA
Michael Liu
15 Apr 2008, 18:04
Hello, I recent bought an orchid from the supermarket,the flower buds on my
plant does not keep growing and opening, and seems to collapse and shrink
out one after one. Very worry,I don't know what I did wrong. What can I do
to keep it blooming? Thanks and regards.
Michael Liu (Vancouver, BC)
Hildi
10 Jun 2008, 10:30
Please let me know,, if after the flower dies on the stem, what I should
do, cut the dead flowers? and if the flower come back again,if so, how long
is going to take it?, and if I have to do something with the plant or leave
it along.
Thanks. Hildi
Rachel
16 Jun 2008, 11:20
I have an orchid that the blooms have already fallen off... should i cut
back the stem so they can grow more? There are two stems and one of them is
brown.. is that normal? Thank You.
cheryl
18 Jun 2008, 09:31
i have a orchid which was bought from the supermarket,iwent away&i think
some1as over watered it.the flowers in the middle look dead but there are
2flowers on the tip& 1at the start of the stem which are alive.should i cut
the middle flowers off??i also put it on the radiator for a short time so
it would dry out,i really don`t know,what is the best thing to do????
len
22 Jun 2008, 19:58
after my orchid gives me flower,where to cut for giving me a chance of new
flower again
Vickie
29 Jun 2008, 09:39
I have a Scent of a Woman orchid. The blossoms are gone. What do I do now?
Please include tips for fertilizing and such. Thanks.
Vickie
29 Jun 2008, 09:39
I have a Scent of a Woman orchid. The blossoms are gone. What do I do now?
Please include tips for fertilizing and such. Thanks.
Janet
11 Jul 2008, 07:35
I have cut the stem of my orchid. A new leaf has begun to grow. Will I
ever get flowers again? Also, What advice do you have for a beginner of
orchids?
Thanks very much,
Janet
Kathy
24 Jul 2008, 10:37
I have a beatiful orchid that has lost all it's blooms-the stem is turning
brown from the tip towards the bottom-what should I do to encourage more
blooms-do I cut the stem???
Kathy
24 Jul 2008, 10:38
I have a beautiful orchid that has lost all it's blooms-the stem is turning
brown from the tip towards the bottom-what should I do to encourage more
blooms-do I cut the stem???
Kathy
24 Jul 2008, 10:38
I have a beautiful orchid that has lost all it's blooms-the stem is turning
brown from the tip towards the bottom-what should I do to encourage more
blooms-do I cut the stem???
Sylvia
01 Sep 2008, 20:22
Hi
I'd like soem tips on growing a cymbidium and a dendrobium. My dendrobium
flower has started to turn brown and I'm not sure if it's time for th
eflower to fall off or if I am doing soemthing wrong?
I keep the dendrobium in the bathroom - a lot of natural morning light (not
direct), large bathroom so plenty of light and air flow. Once a week I
water it and keep in in the window (some direct winter light) for an hour
or so. I have fertilized it too and am not sure how often I shoudl do
this. I have used soem slow rekease fertilizere which says it lasts for 4
months.
Any tips would be much appreciated! Thanks.
maggie
18 Oct 2008, 12:35
i have had my orchid for 5 months and has not died but today it has my
question if it dies can it grow blooms back or is it done.
Keturah
08 Nov 2008, 15:41
I have a cymbidium that was blooming when I first got it, then the flowers
fell off and the stem is now a brown, shriveled twig. I was told by a
friend not to cut it off because it would not bloom again for a long time,
so I have left it. The plant has produced a new set of leaves and has sent
out about 5 or 6 new roots, but no sign of a new stem. The leaf base is
starting to look a little leggy. I am new to orchid care...what do I do to
help it bloom again? It does not have the best light....it is east-facing
with a porch blocking some of the sun. I do have a humid south-facing
environment I can move it to in my bathroom but it is a frosted window --
not sure if that would be sufficient light if that is the problem. Thanks
for your help!
Sara
12 Dec 2008, 09:21
Hi,
I am a new ochid owner. I have had 3 orchids for about 6 months now. i Have
2 phalaenopsis and another that has several stems coming from the pot that
bloom independently (not sure of the species) I got them when they were
blooming now I'm worried that they may be dying. New leaves and stems are
sprouting on all 3, but the old stems that were blooming when I purchased
them have turned brown and appear to be hollow. I water them about every 10
days and they are kept in my dorm room by the window. I have never used
fertilizer on them so that may be the problem?
Thanks in advance,
Sara
lori
31 Dec 2008, 09:16
Do I cut the flower stem on my orchid after the flowers have died?
saroj
03 Jan 2009, 22:43
i would like to have answers on all these questions because i am also new
to grow orchids
Dave
13 Jan 2009, 15:59
Yeah, cut it off to the base, that'll
do it.
Susana
26 Jan 2009, 19:45
My orchid plant leaves keep going dark and dry and then drop off.
Eventually the orchid dies. I have tried several different types. Can you
make a suggestion?
Ann
28 Jan 2009, 15:48
I also have an orchid that came with no care instructions. One of the
leaves began to turn yellow than brown, as did one of the stems. Do I cut
them off? Do I trim the stems back after flowering?
Betty
29 Jan 2009, 10:39
I have the ladies dancing orchid (oncidiums) I was wondering now that it
done blooming and the shoots dont have flowers on it do I cut them back yes
they are very green. If I have to cut them back how far
Bob
07 Mar 2009, 08:54
My orchid puts out a bud on the end of the stem, but that bud always seems
to shrivel and die. This has now happened twice. It seems healthy
otherwise, since it is putting out stems along the main one, which also
have buds on them. Is this overwatering? Or is the problem something else?
wtp
12 Mar 2009, 07:49
What's the point of having a blog with a bunch of questions and no answers?
jean
13 Mar 2009, 07:56
excellent question! my questions are many of the same as above.
Answers???
Thanks
http://www.staugorchidsociety.org/
25 Mar 2009, 23:04
I am a member of the orchid society above and have worked in a small
orchid nursery for two years. I am by no means an expert, but I will try
to answer these questions. Some answers are also available at our website,
so check it out.
The most common question was "What do I do after my orchid has
finished blooming?" After the flowers have fallen off, cut the bloom spike
off as far down as possible without cutting the plant itself. Put common,
household cinnamon on that cut and any other cuts you make. Cinnamon is a
natural antibacterial that will dry out the cut and prevent fungis and rot
from entering.
There are a few exceptions to the rule for cutting a bloom spike. You
may reflower your Phalaenopsis orchid on the same stem by cutting the
flower stalk just above the first node after the flowers. A node is one of
the little triangular pieces spaced along the stem. Then one of three
things will happen: It will produce a side branch with four or five
flowers, it will make a keiki (a baby plant), or the stalk will turn brown
and then needs to be cut off. It can be done as many times as there are
nodes.
However, we do not recommend cutting the stem in this way. Each time
you force your phalaenopsis to flower you are taking energy from the plant
and Phalaenopsis orchids have been known to bloom themselves to death. If
you try this method, do it only once. Then allow your plant to rest.
Some orchids, like Psychopsis, rebloom off of the same spike. Cutting
the spike on one of these slow-growing orchids could mean you have lost
your chance to enjoy its flowers for a very long time. These are not
usually sold anywhere except at places specializing in orchids and the
grower will usually tell you ahead of time.
Once the plant has finished blooming and the bloom spike has been cut
off, it is time to repot if it needs it. If you have repotting questions,
ask. I will keep an eye on this blog for a little bit.
For Michael, Cheryl, and maybe Bob. Orchids sometimes develop a
condition we call "bud blast" in which the flower bud yellows,shrivels, and
falls off. This is usually in the middle of the stem (orchids seem to have
an interesting form of revenge)and arises from a variety of problems.
Number one is a change in humidity or temperature. You have just
brought that beautiful, blooming orchid home from the show which may have
involved a long car ride, a hotel room, and possibly your air-conditioned
house. This orchid is almost guaranteed to experience blasting.
Generally, the change in environment will stress the plant out to some
degree and cause this phenomenon. What to do? Baby the plant like they've
told you not to. Always water a plant you have just purchased.
Most orchids in grocery stores have not been watered since the day
they arrived at the store. Put your orchid out of the direct path of your
heating and air. An air conditioner sucks moisture out of the air and
dries your plant out fast. Put it in a slightly darker place than its
final home for the night. A stressed plant will succumb to traumas like
sunburn and insect pests much easier than a plant that is established in
its spot.
Reason number two is that the plant has more blooms that it can
successfully support. If this is the case, it will abort flowers. Again,
usually in the middle of the flower spike. On your phalaenopsis orchids,
this tends to happen when a spike is multi-branching or you have several
bloom spikes. To stop this from happening, it is recommended that you not
allow your plant to have more than three bloom spikes and limit it to only
one if there is a lot of branching.
Reason number three is also part of reason one. Your plant may need a
little extra water when it is in bloom. The plant can lose blooms if it is
dehydrated.
Finally, for Bob if the previous did not answer the question. On all
flower spikes there is a "terminal bud" which will not ever bloom. This is
the little blip at the very end of the stalk. It could be this that you
are talking about. However, some orchids like paphiopedilum,
phragmipedium, and psychopsis can be multifloral. One flower will be on
the stalk while a bud forms slightly behind it. When the flower falls off,
the next bud will open. If these are shriveling, then it is bud blast.
Try increasing the water.
On to cattleyas and bloom times. Mary may be right about her cattleya
needing more light, but that is probably not the case. While there are a
few hybrids out there that will bloom multiple times in a year, cattleyas
generally bloom only once a year. After it adjusts to your growing
conditions, take note of when it blooms and mark it on your calendar. It
will bloom again at the same time next year. Oncidiums will bloom on new
growth which can mean three or four bloom cycles in a year. Generally, two
bloom cycles will have a small amount of spikes (one spike for a plant in a
six inch container) and two bloom cycles will be absolutely spectacular.
My Mtssa. C.M. Fitch Izumi (in the oncidium alliance) was in a four
inch container when I bought it with four bloom spikes. I planted it in a
six inch pot after blooming. The next bloom cycle had only one bloom
stalk. The cycle after that had sixteen bloom spikes.
Phalaenopsis generally bloom once a year and they need a chill to do
it. I'm in North Florida where we generally never open a window. In the
early fall [September-November] I leave my plants outside in a sheltered
location until the second time it drops into the mid-40s. If it drops
below 40 I have to bring them in or protect them from the cold. This will
initiate the bloom spike that will develop and open sometime in the spring.
Northern growers can get away with leaving them in their window sill. The
cold winter air will find its way around the frame and do the same thing.
The savy orchidist in the right climate can get their phalaenopsis orchid
to bloom twice a year. Here it reaches those temperatures
September-October and February-March. Remember that your phalaenopsis must
rest sometime, though. Use your judgement to determine if your plant can
withstand two bloom cycles before resting.
To Susana, Ann, and Maggie. Orchids will occasionally lose old
leaves. On a phalaenopsis, if the bottom leaves are turning yellow then
they are just old. Pull them off. Oncidiums will lose the leaves
surrounding the pseudobulb in the same way. They can also lose top leaves
on the oldest bulbs. Those will generally be the smallest bulbs on the
plant. This is nothing to worry about.
Now, if the top leaves of a phalaenopsis or cattleya or the top leaves
on new growth on your oncidium is turning yellow, the plant is getting too
much light. Put it in a shadier place. You may lose the leaves that have
turned yellow. With oncidiums and cattleyas go ahead and remove the yellow
leaves. Remember to put cinnamon on any cuts.
With phalaenopsis you have to be careful. If it is the very top leaf,
leave it but watch the plant carefully. Phalaenopsis grow up from the
center. If any damage happens to that center your plant is as good as
dead. It may produce a baby, but it will never bloom again. Sunburn can
make a path for black rot to enter and kill your plant. If the yellow
continues to spread, becomes soft, or changes to squishy brown or black you
will have to cut the leaf off. Take a sterile razor and cut 1/2 in into
the good, green flesh of the leaf. Put cinnamon on the cut. Avoid cutting
the very center. If the rot has spread to the center it's too late to save
it. Black rot in oncidiums and cattleyas will appear in the pseudobulbs
first. Remove the entire psuedobulb and put cinnamon there. Get rid of
the contaminated foilage and wash your hands before touching any other
plants. Black rot can be spread to other plants from the fluid that will
get on your hands and blade. That is why a disposable razorblade works
best for this.
If a plant has shriveled or leathery leaves that eventually dry up
it's usually either too much water or not enough. With too much water, the
orchids' roots have rotted away. This decreases or eliminates the ability
of the plant to absorb water and it dies of dehydration [water, water all
around and not a drop to drink]. With not enough water, the roots will be
there but there is no water to pull in.
First determine which it is. Do you water heavy or not at all? Unpot
the plant and look at the roots. If they are squishy and brown they are
dead-too much water. If they are silvery, white but shriveled-not enough
water. Oncidiums, Paphiopedilums, Phragmipediums, and other orchids that
can be terrestrial are exceptions. Ground orchids will have thin, brownish
roots suited to soil. For oncidiums, look at the pseudobulbs. These are
water storage containers for the plant. They should be plump and full. If
the plant is wasting away with plump pseudobulbs-too much water. Shriveled
pseudobulbs-not enough water. Phragmipediums you cannot overwater. We
have ours growing in an orchid bark mix and sitting in water almost to the
top of the pot! If these are not doing well, fertilizer has built up in
the water (dump it)or the media has broken down (repot it). Paphiopedilums
are the hardest to tell. They are evenly moist, but not wet. There are no
telltale signs as to which it is except for an examination of your watering
habits. Another easy test on your watering. Take a freshly sharpened
pencil or a wooden skewer and insert it into the pot for about 10 seconds.
If it comes out moist you don't need to water. If it comes out dry then
water.
Cattleyas-Bright shade, dry out between waterings.
Phalaenopsis-shade and evenly moist. Don't let it dry out, but it
shouldn't be soggy.
Oncidiums-medium to bright shade, can dry out between waterings or
stay moist all the time. Looking at your pseudobulbs will help to gauge
watering.
Other alliances-ask
Hope this helped
Haley
Carla White
16 Apr 2009, 17:30
My cymbidium orchid has brown tips and didn't bloom. What can I do? I do
hvae them in orchid bark. Thanks for your help. Carla
Carla White
16 Apr 2009, 17:31
My cymbidium orchid has brown tips and didn't bloom. What can I do? I do
hvae them in orchid bark. Thanks for your help. Carla
sarah
17 Apr 2009, 15:50
My first Cymbidium and the flower was in bloom for about 8 weeks after I
bought it. last week 2 of the flowers shriveled and fell off and this week
I came home and all of the flowers are brown and shriveled (but haven't
fallen off). The stem is also getting yellow and turning brown. Is this
normal? The weather did get a lot hotter this last week. what should i
do?
Thank you!
winston
01 May 2009, 09:10
why is it the buds on orchid
have gone yellow
Althea Nelson
02 May 2009, 20:10
when should I cut the stem of my vanda when all the flowers have fallen
off?
Sara Buchanan
02 Jun 2009, 12:54
I purchased a cymbidium this week-end from a local supermarket. It had 3
flowering spikes. For the first few days it was on kitchen table with 1 hr
of direct light and medium to little light for rest of day. By second day I
noticed the blooms on one spike are turning brown and the spike is turning
yellow. I have moved it outside in simishade. Should I cut the spike
before or after the blooms fall? If so where.
Mandy wood
19 Jun 2009, 08:10
right now my orchids are great. but i have one that has leaves and flowers
coming out of the stem all over the place. where shoulg i cut it?
Katharine Howard
01 Jul 2009, 09:06
Please help!!!!!
I bought two beautiful new orchids from the National Orchid Society's
meeting in Unionville, Connecticut about 3 weeks ago. One is a
phalenopsis, and the other is a "Dtps. 'Sweetheart."' I was told when I
bought them to not take them out of the plastic and moss they came in but
to get pots or bowls 2" bigger in diameter and place on top of pebbles so
they will not sit in water. I bought 2 glass bowls and the glass flattened
marbles to put them in, and since then they have been losing blossoms!!!!!!
I check the moisture every day, and it has seemed moist but not damp and I
can't figure out what's wrong! I slid the phalenopsis out of the pot to
check it and the roots weren't squishy, but there were a couple of small
patches of white fuzz among some of the roots. What is this? How can I
save my orchids?? Please help me. I love them and don't want to lose them
(or the investment I put into buying them)
Thank you!
Ann
01 Aug 2009, 18:43
I have an orchid that has lost all it's blooms - the stem is turning brown
from the tip towards the bottom. what should I do now??
Eric
05 Aug 2009, 21:35
We've clipped the stem on our Phalenopsis and have gotten a beautiful new
offshoot stem with several flowers. Now we're worried of too much success:
could the flowers get so heavy that it will harm the new stem? Should we be
putting up some additional support for this new stem, or are we worrying
for nothing?
kimberley deaves
06 Aug 2009, 03:14
hi i have several orchids when they have finished flowering the flower
spikes turn brown and sort of hollow the leaves are still growing quite
well but i never get any healthy flower spikes or flowers help what am i
diong wrong
Patty Edwards
07 Aug 2009, 12:06
I have just been given a cymbidium orchid. My question is once it is
finished blooming, do you cut the stalk that the blooms were on? Stalks
currently are very black in color. Also, what is the best fertilizer and
how often should be it be used on a cymbidium? Thank you.
Laura
24 Aug 2009, 10:03
The Orchid Society question answerer is wonderful! Thank you for such
broad, in-depth information.
joel chamblin
31 Aug 2009, 11:47
i have some cattleyas and epidendrums and oncidiums and at times the bases
of the leaves get a little soft. its not the leaves them selves that get
soft but the stalks or bases the lead up to the leaves that due. what would
be the cause of this. i live in south florida and have them not in direct
sunlight and have them where they get great circulation for them. please
provide me with a little guidence for these issues thanks
joel chamblin
02 Sep 2009, 10:47
the orchids i was talking about seems to soffen and look like they are
wrinked, is this a result of heat or too much water or too little.
Greg Hunt
20 Oct 2009, 19:50
While walking at Lowes, I found a discarded strap leaved orchid plant with
one wilted magenta flower. Its tomb was a clear plastic cup. The leaves
were large at about six inches wide and about one two feet in length.
Monopodial. I am new to orchids. This plants leaves are wilted and a
vibrant green color but one is 1/4 yellow. The roots look good and the bark
mix it was in was bone dry. I got the plant at half price from the toss
bin. I rushed my new patient home, placing it in a rainwater soak for
fifteen min., then fed it with orchid fertilizer. I placed the plant in a
larger pot not disturbing the wood chip mix or roots, then filled the
remaining space with a spagnum and perilte mix 50/50. Next I hung the whole
assembly by green yarn apx two feet under a four foot full spectum lighting
set up. I have a small fan running nearby. My tempatures are 80 by day and
70 by night. My photoperiod is 16 hrs by timer. I have temporaly filled my
bath tub to increase humidity. It hovers around 25 percent in the house
without it. With the bath tub filled it is now 34%. My old sick room
humidifier apparently has bit the dust. I plan to get a new one payday and
place it near the patient. Is there any thing else that can be done to
nurse this guy back to health? My resurch says this is most nearly a Vanda.
How is cinamin good for orchids?
Respectfuly, Greg Hunt gregory_hunt590@yahoo.com
Iris
23 Nov 2009, 23:55
Dear all,
I received a beautiful orchid a month ago and the flowers are dying, should
I cut them off? or should I let them fell them selves? Also, what do I do
with the sprig? should I cut it off or should I just leave it?
it was a gift from my wonderful boss and she comes by my desk everyday and
I feel so bad to see how my orchid is dying!
It is a beautiful Huge Orchid :)
Thanks!
Iris
Nolalily
03 Dec 2009, 07:53
I am a novice orchid grower with a lovely Phalenopsis. It bloomed
beautifully when I first got it a little less than a year ago.
Now, it is sending out shoots with buds at a rapid pace. I'm a little
worried that too many buds are appearing for the plant to feed. So far,
there are 5 stalks and over 25 potential flowers. Currently the buds are
very small and some look more formed than others. Some look like they
might not turn into buds at all.
My question. What is the best care I can provide to make sure they
survive? Do I fertilize more? Thanks. I think your website is terrific.
Peter Smith
06 Dec 2009, 20:38
I would like to know if Orchids like it root bound or room for roots to
grow.Mother has two and i need to find out before she transplant's them.
What is good to put with the roots besides plant soil. My mother uses
miracle grow.Mother has it in the right conditions they are growing well.
A
30 Dec 2009, 10:11
Good Day,
When my orchid flower dies should I just cut and remove the stem?
Thanks
Jean Mitchell
30 Dec 2009, 12:30
Would like any info re: cymbidiums. Mine are outside on the patio in a
sheltered spot but bright light. I live in Central California near the
coast.
Thank you.
Jean Mitchell
sheri
05 Jan 2010, 10:10
I got a lady slipper orchid for mother's day last year and it bloomed for
about 3 months after. Since them the flower has fallen off, i still have
the stem on though. Am i supposed to cut that? Also, now the leaves seem to
be wilting. I fertilize once a month and haven't repotted it (it came in a
spagnum moss) I've searched everywhere as to what i am supposed to do with
it. I spray the moss once a day or every second day to keep it moist and
the humidifier is on constantly. It gets indirect sunlight for part of the
afternoon. What am i doing wrong? Or is it supposed to be like this until
it blooms again? I was under the impression this was supposed to be a
beautiful plant even while not in bloom? I'm ready to toss it!
Stephanie
06 Jan 2010, 20:22
I have one Phalenopsis that bloomed beautifully the first year I had it and
then had a baby and I did all the things to it to successfully replant it.
Both plants now have green foliage but have not grown a stalk to start
flowering from what do I need to do now? please help
Edie
18 Jan 2010, 11:58
I was given an orchid last year for the first time. There was no tag, so I
have no clue what kind it is. But the buds are shriveling up and falling
off before they open. What could this mean. The only care instructions by
the grocery store, told my daughter to give it 3 ice cubes once a week.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
michelle
07 Feb 2010, 13:27
I have several phala. type orchids that
that are doing well. My niece sent me
a long thig leafed orchid last June 2009 the plant and the flowers were'nt
inpresive and no name tag. After a while I realized there was'nt any
drainage so I took the wrapping off.
I live in the north so it can't go out until spring,so in the mean time
I've been trying to place it correctly not moving it alot just once this
Feb.2010.
I'm just worried about the bulbs three of them have lost all leaves two
rotted
and one has two shoots comming from the sides.two bulbs don't have
anything, but they are firm will they ever do anythig or not should I
transplant this how and when. HELP PLEASE. I no it sounds bad ,there are
still many leaves will this ever bloom.
Dei
01 Mar 2010, 13:31
I have a pah venistum album which blossom can't open, it has been like
that for about 3 weeks, what should I do to make the blossom open ?.
Julie O Sullivan
07 Apr 2010, 04:24
Hi,
I have a beautiful Moth Orchid since January. I noticed in last few weeks
its flowers started to wilt one by one? What does it mean? Is the blooming
period over?
Thank you
Rhonda
13 Apr 2010, 12:33
Beautiful Moth Orchid.
Over the weekend the blooms all fell off. Is it dead? It doesn't look
good........
I water three ice cubes when I get the email.
Please help.
chat
14 Apr 2010, 14:53
I want sell orchid you see in orchid and fern
Kat
16 Apr 2010, 15:13
Hi, I have an orchid that has stopped flowering and the stem where the
flowers were has died, do i cut the stem, or leave it? Can't seem to find
any information anywhere on this? Thanks
Danijela P.
25 Apr 2010, 07:37
hi, i have had an orchid for the past two years, and i dont want to give up
on it. when the flowers dropped off, i cut the stems halfway down and put
wax on the top.
its been a year and a half and still have no flowers. when i thought i
should just throw it out i saw that from one stem there was another stem
growing and it looks like it could flower cause there is a ball like piece
growing from the stem. today when i looked the other stem is turning yellow
and looks like it is dieing. i have no idea what is wrong with the orchid,
maybe it dosent have enough sunlight but then why would one stem start
growing. Please help what should i do?
Jaryn
28 Apr 2010, 19:29
Hello i'm Jaryn I am 11. I want to know about orchids I bought one and
another was gaven to me they're both phalaenopsis orchids. One is not
flowering and the other is good only I have them on a window sill on a
north window. Then, the second one has two blooms and they shrivled up and
fell of help me prevent and save my orchid's. Another thing is I need a
breathable pot insted of the plastic ones! HELP ME PLASE!!
tont
11 May 2010, 06:30
hi i have a vanda air orchid the flowers have fallen off do i cut off the
dead stem or leave the dead stem
JEANNIE TOONE
24 Jun 2010, 08:57
What are the answers to all these questions ???
George Halburian
08 Jul 2010, 13:19
I'm brand new at trying to keep alive my orchids that I have accumulated
over past 3 months I need the answers to the above questions.
Joan
25 Jul 2010, 17:42
My cinbidium pink orchid did well for
months. Now, the blooms and leaves
(two large ones) have fallen off.
Where should I now put the orchid and
do what with it?
ann
14 Aug 2010, 10:43
I have an orchid that is blooming and it has sprouted new leaves above the
blooms. Should I be doing something with these new leaves such as
transplanting them?
shelby
16 Aug 2010, 04:51
hi i just got my orcard i have no idear what one it is but it did have
purpule/ lavinder colourd petals and now thay are all turning vomit green,
i dont no what to do to help it. it has sun light from my bedroom window
but its not right next to the window, its on a shelf. i have been watering
it 2 times a day with a water spay but im not sure if this is to much water
and i have been feeding it 2 times a week please help me!
shelby
Diek Foerstel
23 Aug 2010, 17:14
my orchids - all except 4- have developed leaf rot along the midrib of the
leaves. What causes this?
What can be done?
As soon as this problem arose I moved the 4 unaffected plants to a
different location in another room.
Rachel
05 Sep 2010, 20:22
My Walmart orchid (no idea its type)had many blooms when I purchased it.
They lasted forever then dropped away. The spike reflowered without me
doing anything and is still very green. Under these new blooms I have about
3 leaves. What do I do with them? The leaves are oval-ish, thick and dark
green...That might tell which on I have.
Oh, on another one I have (long pointed leaves the round base part is
getting wrikled...whats up with that?
Thanks
Rachel
James
13 Oct 2010, 12:26
if the new leafs are on the spike than it sounds like a phalaenopsis orchid
in which the new leafs on the spike is called a keiki, its a baby plant.
once the leafs grow roots about 2 inches long you can cut that portion of
the spike and plant it.
Mardella Porter
17 Oct 2010, 09:11
Hi, I bought an orchid this last spring and it bloomed very nicely for
quite a while. When it stopped blooming i cut the stem back to just above
the leafs. The root system and leaves appear to be quite healthy with new
grow on both. My question concerns the root system. I was told to keep it
root bound so i have not transplanted it. My roots though have grown
outside the container and look like they are reaching for my cupboards.
they are not flexible or i would have wound them around inside the pot.
Should i continue to give this plant its independence or take control of
the roots. I don't know what kind of orchid it is. It had several small-ish
blooms on the stem and re-bloomed once the first blooms died off. Thanks
for any help you can provide. If i don't hear from you I will just wait to
see what it does.
Paula Raath
19 Oct 2010, 12:43
i live in South Africa i do have beautiful orchids but i notes that the
steam of some are becaming black what do i need to do to save them i love
my orchids very deeply
Thanks and regards
God bless AP
chris candelaria burque,new mexico
11 Nov 2010, 17:32
ey yes i have a dendrbium orchid i have had it for two months now. all the
flowers have bloomed and fell off the spike. i was wondering wat kind of
light should i keep it in at this point in time? it wuld be much
apprecited. bye bye.
Loretta
23 Nov 2010, 13:32
Hi,
I am several Phalaenopsis orchids and two Lady Slipper ones. I have them
placed in an East window with filtered light. I have been watering them
once a week, but found it may be too often, so now water every 10 days. I
fertilize every time I water, and every 4th time use a bloom booster.
Water only with rain water...and had been soaking the pot in water for 15
minutes before fertilizing.
I place them on a tray with a rack on top to keep them out of the water.
I am sure to have water in the tray to provide humidity and also mist them
the first thing in the morning.
Now that the sun does not reach them later in the morning, I am using a gro
light the rest of the day.
I am also getting the temperature down at night to about 60-62 degrees.
and during the day its about 70.
I am still having a problem getting them to bloom. Only one has a new
spike for this year. I am hoping that now that I have the temperature go
this low at night, there still may be a chance they could spike in a few
weeks.
What else can I do, I am addicted to these plants and any advise will be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Loretta
Mitzi
05 Dec 2010, 11:36
After my orchid bloomed and the blooms fell off, I cut it back like I did
my other orchid (and it's blooming again), however, this orchid's stem
turned brown and has a hollow hole in the middle. It is dead, but the
leaves and roots look great! What should I do so that another stem grows or
is it going to die altogether?
flor
16 Dec 2010, 02:44
Ibought cymbedium 3 weeks ago the florwer was not fully bloom .I notice the
flower start falling before it bloom. What is the problem?.
Yvonne
30 Dec 2010, 03:49
Can you help I have a moth orchid for a year now and was growing happily
without any problems. It is still flowering and now two of the leaves have
started to shrivel and one in the centre what is wrong as the flowers are
still hear in December what is happening to my plant.
Dee
05 Jan 2011, 13:33
My greenhouse heater went out for 24 hrs. the temp went down to 5degrees.It
is back working 3/4 of all the leaves fell off. I have about 150 orchids.
Will they come back or are they dead? Please help and if there is anything
I can do to help them recover please tell me. I am so upset. Please help.
Thank you so much
Dee
Sylvia
04 Feb 2011, 11:22
I BOUGHT 3 NEW ORCHIDS A WEEK AGO AND PLANTED THEM IN ONE BIG POT WITH BARK
AND MOSS AORUND IT, NOW THE LEAVES ARE TURNING YELLOW AND THE FLOWERS ARE
LIMP. i JUST TOOK ONE OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG.......THE ROOTS ARE SAOKED
AND ROTTING......WILL THEY COME BACK IF i CUT THE ROTTING ROOTS AND PUT
THEM BACK IN DRY BARK?
THANKS SYLVIA
Flori
18 Feb 2011, 07:07
My orchid had a stem full of blooms, once they died, I cut part of the
stem. Will this affect future blooms?
jw
07 Apr 2011, 11:03
Unless they are terrestrials, do not put them in soil! Use bark mix or
some kind of mix. Soil with suffocate them and doesn't allow proper
draining!
I don't know about usimg Ice cubes to water them, I just have read cold
water can harm them.
agnes forsyth
09 Apr 2011, 07:38
too many questions no answers
jw
16 Apr 2011, 10:01
You should probably plant them in their own pots the pots usually should
be about half their height. You don't want anymore room then for their
growth for a couple yrs, the larger pots cause not to dry out as quickly
and may also over watered them.
LB
18 Apr 2011, 09:45
Hi,
I bought my girlfriend a Phalaenopsis orchid last year and it's Blooming
great (Sorry I had to put that in). My question is we have 3 stems on one
plant with over 10 flowers on each stem, the plant is now starting to lean
and the leaves are growing out and not up. Is this normal? The plant has
had flowers on it since the day I bought it! We've heard they can live up
to 150 years!? Any suggestions?
Thanks I hope someone can help.
LB
18 Apr 2011, 10:06
Sorry just an add on to the last post. The plant didn't have flowers on it
a month or two ago, I didn't notice. My girlfriend has put me right (not
for the first time). We want to keep this plant as it was my present to her
when we moved into our new place, please help.
paula king
22 Apr 2011, 15:47
i bought an orchhid plante at the supermarket and two days later i watered
it and then it wiltered,i put it in the sun to see if it would it stand up
but it just continued the same way and leave went yellow and see through
them still looks alive,what can i do to bring it back to life please i need
help.
christopher k
09 May 2011, 11:45
i have 2 dendrobium orchids that i purchasd at lows some 4 years ago and
they have five to seven stalks each but not once in the four years i have
had it has it bloomed. or even sent a stick that would hold the buds.
please tell me what to do.
soue sex s45k
02 Jul 2011, 21:05
Orchid_Care.. Keen :)
Alice
22 Jul 2011, 00:42
Hi,
I have an orchid and it has two stems. One side is blooming and the other
stem is still green but the tinier stems from this one is brown and wilted.
What should I do? Should I cut it off?
orchid admirer
26 Jul 2011, 11:40
An orchid was given to me as a gift. I have no idea of the type and name of
the orchid. When I received this orchid, it had one flower in full bloom.
Thereafter the flower fell off after the blooming process and the leaves
are now turning black. I feed with 125ml of water after every 8 days. It is
situated near natural light but is not positioned next to a window. Please
advise me on a course of action in order for me to save this beautiful
plant?
lorraine
14 Aug 2011, 05:30
hi when an orchid loses its blooms do you cut the middle stem out so it
will flower again, i think mine is a moth orchid. many thanks lorraine
Mary
07 Sep 2011, 17:39
my king orchids flower every year,except this year.....could you please
tell me why?Many thanks..Mary
Veda
09 Sep 2011, 16:15
Should I cut the leave off after the bloom of the catleya
Linda O'Brien
26 Sep 2011, 14:23
After the stem blooms fell, I cut back the stem, which is what I understood
I should do in an orchid book I have. Nothing has been happening. Will the
stem rejuvenate itself, or have I killed it??
Thank you.
Suki
30 Sep 2011, 08:03
I would like to know if I should be cutting the stem of the orchid once it
has finished bloomed and how soon after.
Regards
Denise
03 Oct 2011, 09:14
Hi, can you tell me if I should cut the stem after it has flowered, and if
so how far. I have three stems that look like they are starting to die off.
I have one stem that still has 4 flowers on it. I water it very little with
tepid water when the roots go white. Is this right?
Bridgette
03 Jan 2012, 17:12
My Moth Orchid got too cold and the flowers went limp. Can I revive the
plant? I hope so! It really means a lot to me. Please help me bring my
flower back to life.
Thank you :)
|