Care of an orchid

by Rhonda Galvin

Answered

I need orchid care tips. I have an orchid that has leaves that are still green and roots coming up and over. Should it be repotted to get it to bloom again? What is the best light requirements, and how much watering?

6 answers

Janet Pizaro on Jan 15, 2018

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/orchids/repotting-orchid-plants.htm

Helpful Reply
Janet Pizaro on Jan 15, 2018

http://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/orchid_care_tips/watering/watering.html

Helpful Reply
Mogie on Jan 15, 2018

Indirect sunlight, they benefit from misting with water from a misting bottle, I have seen many orchids that are mounted on wood and not potted at all.

Helpful Reply
- Rhonda Galvin on Jan 16, 2018
  
  Thank you very much. I'm not real good with plants, I have terrible lighting requirement house.
  
  Helpful
Sam on Jan 15, 2018

Try this website - http://aboutorchids.com/

Helpful Reply
- Rhonda Galvin on Jan 16, 2018
  
  Thanks very much for your help.
  
  Helpful

Nancy Turner on Jan 15, 2018

Orchids do like to be root bound. How is it planted now? Bark or soil, single pot or two pot system? The come from the rain forest and root to the tree bark up in the canopy. The bark in the two pot system works really well since it is closer to what they do in nature. The soil type tends to hold an awful lot of moisture and they are not fond of that. They live on the humidity and occasional rain that gets to them, not steady moisture. You can repot it if you feel it has used up all the space it has, or if the soil or bark is old. I just did that to one of mine where the bark was degrading. Orchid only flower a couple of times a year. Do not use the ice cube method to water your orchid. How would you feel if you were from the warm rain forest and someone made you take an ice water bath. They love tepid water. Soak the soil for a bit and let it drain out completely. The moisture in the bark is what gives it the moisture and humidity it needs. There are spray fertilizers that work well, use according to the directions. Your orchid likes bright but indirect light. I have mine in a south facing window. It seems to really like that. Mine usually flower two and sometimes three times a year.

Helpful Reply
- See 1 previous
- Rhonda Galvin on Jan 16, 2018
  
  Thank you very much. A further question, what is a two pot system? And what spray fertilizer would you use. I do have some orchid food in pellet form Schultz. Thank you for the south facing window advice. I have a house that has very little sun exposure windows.
  
  Helpful
- Nancy Turner on Jan 16, 2018
  
  I purchased mine at Home Depot, we were there for something else and it was convenient. They have fertilizers for almost everything. I picked the Miracle Gro Orchid Plant Food Mist. It is ready to use and in an easy to handle smaller bottle. The two pot system is where you have a decorative pot outside and an inner pot with lots of drainage holes for the plant and the bark. You fill the two pots with tepid water and let them soak for ten to fifteen minutes. You lift out the inner pot and let it drain completely, drain the outer pot, then put the two together again. This lets the orchid bark take on some water to keep the humidity up for the orchid without keeping the roots too wet, which they don't like at all. I just took in an orchid that someone gave my daughter that was planted in the soil type orchid medium. It stayed so wet the roots almost all died. I finally got it to dry out and took out all the soil I could get off it and used bark instead. I hope it can be saved, it had only a couple of live roots. It still looks healthy green and the leaves aren't drooping anymore. She hadn't watered it for two weeks and it was still so wet the medium was molding and she is highly allergic to it.
  
  Helpful
Eloise on Jan 16, 2018

You may find a solution on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+care+for+potted+orchids

Helpful Reply
- Rhonda Galvin on Jan 16, 2018
  
  Thanks very much for your help. It's appreciated.
  
  Helpful

Related Discussions

GNATS - How to get rid of them?

Gina Garbo Answered 5 days ago

Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more

122

See Answers

Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?

Dianne King Answered on Jan 29, 2024

My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?

See Answers

Growing garlic

Decor&Dine Answered on Jan 01, 2024

Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.

See Answers

How to keep mice out of your garden?

Debra Answered on Sep 22, 2023

Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more

See Answers

What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?

Susan Answered 4 days ago

I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.

See Answers

Squash Plants Large and Healthy and no Squash Growing?

Jim Ginas Answered on Sep 22, 2023

2nd Season in a ROW! Squash plants growing large and healthy leaves and the stems near the roots are looking healthy and turning dark green, getting flowers that grow... See more

squash plants large and healthy and no squash growing, 2 large plants growing

See Answers

Trail of dead grass mystery?

Joan K Answered on Oct 18, 2023

Trail of dead grass appeared two weeks ago that starts in neighbor's yard and goes to the sidewalk, then continues past the sidewalk in a line into the grass into my ... See more

trail of dead grass mystery, Trail of dead grass to the street

See Answers

Care of an orchid

Suggested Project Book

9 Wonderful Things You Can Make With Recycled Paper

Other

More

Care of an orchid

Suggested Project Book