QA

Question: How To Keep Orchid Alive

6 Easy Ways To Keep Your Orchids Alive Make Sure It’s Getting The Right Kind Of Light. Advertisement. Water Them Right. The way you water an orchid is a crucial part of orchid care. Keep Them In A Warmer Room. Cut Blooms That Have Died. Feed Your Plants. Don’t Pot Orchids In Soil.

How do you keep potted orchids alive?

5 Ways to Keep Your Orchid Alive Let there be (bright, indirect) light! An east-facing window that gets morning light is ideal. Not too hot, not too cold. Phalaelnopsis are happy in the same temps we are: above 60º at night and between 70º and 80º during the day. Cut spent blooms. Remember food and water. Repot on occasion.

How often should you water an orchid?

In general, water once a week during the winter and twice a week when the weather turns warm and dry. The size of your orchid container also helps determine how often you need to water, regardless of climate conditions. Typically, a 6-inch pot needs water every 7 days and a 4-inch pot needs water every 5 to 6 days.

How do you keep orchids blooming?

Follow these simple steps to help reblooming begin. Continue to water your orchid with 3 ice cubes once a week. Fertilize your orchid once or twice a month using a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength. Help your orchids grow by providing plenty of indirect sunlight. Put your orchid in a cooler spot at night.

How long do potted orchids live?

Orchid plants do not have a finite life span, but after 15 to 20 years, the plants will naturally become weaker, producing fewer blossoms. Plants have a natural immune system, and over time it becomes worn down by natural bacteria and fungi. Repot orchids regularly, once every two or three years, to prevent disease.

How do you take care of an orchid for beginners?

On a basic level, most orchids need the following to survive: A well-draining growing medium. At least six hours of indirect sunlight (bright shade) a day. Moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Once-a-month fertilizer feedings (quarter strength) A humid environment. Pruning, as needed.

Where should I put orchids in my house?

Indirect sunlight is best. So one of the best places to keep your orchid is near a north- or east-facing window. If your living room has west-facing windows, it’s best to place it farther away from the window on a table or shelf.

Can you water orchids with tap water?

Orchids are a wildly popular flowering plant, belonging to the Orchidaceae family. Most chlorinated tap water can be used as long as the chlorine isn’t excessive; however, watering orchids with collected rain or distilled water from the store is best.

Why is my orchid dying?

The most common reason for orchids dying is because of overwatering. Orchids that are watered too often, develop root rot, which turns leaves yellow with a dying appearance. Typically, orchids require watering once per week. If you are watering more then once a week this is the reason your orchid is dying.

How do I know if my orchid needs water?

Here’s how to tell if the orchid needs water: Roots that are green are getting just the right amount of water. Roots that are soggy and brown are getting too much water. Roots that are grey or white are not getting enough water.

What do you do with an orchid after the flowers fall off?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

How many times a year does an orchid bloom?

Most orchids bloom once a year, but if they are really happy, they may bloom more often. If you want an orchid that blooms during a particular season, the best bet is to purchase a plant that is in bloom at that time. When an orchid does flower it usually remains in bloom for six to ten weeks.

Will my orchid grow a new stem?

Orchids will grow new stems, fortunately. You can propagate a new Phalaenopsis or Vanda orchids from stem cuttings. Or you can divide a cattleya’s rhizomes. You can also expect a flower spike to grow back after cutting it down when its blooms die.

Is it OK to put orchids outside in the summer?

Orchids adore indirect light, but putting your plant outside will expose it to full sun. You’ll want to also avoid taking your orchid outside when the sun is at its hottest (around noon). Too much moisture will encourage fungal growth, so do not keep your orchid outdoors during a rainstorm.

Do orchid pots have to be clear?

Clear plastic pots also allow us to easily inspect the roots of our orchid plants for pests, disease, or overcrowding. When left out of decorative pots, the clear plastic pots allow the orchid roots to absorb sunlight, as they would in nature growing on the side of a tree.

Do orchids like small pots?

Most orchids require a 4, 5 or 6 inch pot. There are seedlings and miniatures that require smaller pots, older specimen plants and some genera (Cymbidium, Phaius, large Cattleya) that often require 8 inch pots or bigger but the majority of orchids sold in groceries, box stores, florists and the like are not these.

Do orchids like bathrooms?

Since a bathroom environment is naturally warm and humid thanks to steamy showers, and most bathroom windows don’t let in much direct sunlight, your bathroom is actually the perfect place for your orchids to thrive.

Will orchids bloom indoors?

They are perfect for indoors, since they can tolerate lower light. They do not like to stay dry for more than a day or two, especially when growing or blooming. Bloom season is winter and spring.

How long can orchids go without water?

Most orchids will survive for two to three weeks (a typical vacation period) without watering, occasionally up to one month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis all will survive with up to three weeks of not watering as long as their medium is maintained moist.