Q&A for How to Care for Orchids

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  • Question
    How often should you water an orchid?
    Matt Bowman
    Matt Bowman
    Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
    Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
    Matt Bowman
    Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
    Expert Answer
    Over watering is a very common problem with orchids. They don't require as much water as a lot of people give them. We recommend a small glass of water per week.
  • Question
    After flowering, should I cut off any brown or dead looking stalks?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of the stem until the next flowering season. If it doesn’t regrow from there, you can remove the rest of last season's stem.
  • Question
    New leaves are growing at the end of two separate flower spikes and air roots. Should I just leave them on the parent plant?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    Leaving it could cause the orchid to outgrow the pot. They might be able to be separated into two different plants if the roots are able to easily be separated. Replant the orchid into a bigger pot about every 2 years.
  • Question
    What are the spikes that grow from the top of the plant? Should I cut these off or leave them alone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    New flowers grow from spikes that grow from the top of the plant. If you're seeing new spikes, let them continue to grow -- you might get new flowers.
  • Question
    What do you do with air roots of orchids?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can leave these be. If there are a large amount of areal roots this may mean that your plant does not have enough space to grow in its current pot. Some people like to cut them, but they are there to help your plant grow healthy and strong.
  • Question
    My orchid sends out runners with a white or gray look to them that stay low to the ground. Should I remove them?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    These are roots, which emerge from above the soil level and turn silver-grey as they mature. Your orchid is an epiphyte, meaning it sends out "air roots" to attach to branches or rocks, without any connection to the soil. You shouldn't remove them, but you could switch to a terrestrial orchid if you don't like the look. It may also help to move the plant to a larger pot.
  • Question
    After the blooms died off, the main stalk is beginning to die. How do I save it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This is the natural process of an orchid. It will switch between growing new roots, flowers, flower spikes, and blooming. Once your flowers have run their course they will fall off and your main flower spike will begin to brown at the tip. At this point you can cut it back to the first node and hope for a new spike to grow out of it, or cut it off close to the base and allow for the new roots to begin to grow.
  • Question
    When is the best time to repot your orchids? Mine seem to flower year round.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Wait until the orchid is actively sending out new buds or roots, usually right after it's dropped flowers. Some orchids are more finicky about repotting than others.
  • Question
    Can you put an orchid outside to help it flower?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This depends on the environment. Yes, orchids do like a slight drop in temperature at night to help them bloom, but low humidity or too much sunlight may kill them.
  • Question
    The leaves of my orchid have split and cracked. What does this mean? Also I've got it growing in a large glass bowl with no drainage, is that all okay?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Absolutely not. Drainage is the number one key to keeping your orchid alive. These plants naturally grow on trees in the jungle. So while they receive a great amount of water to their roots, they have time to dry out and breathe. This could be why your leaves are splitting.
  • Question
    My orchid's buds are not opening, only drying and dropping. What's going on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Sudden changes in temperature can cause sudden drying or dropping, called bud blast. If you have not had any changes with your temperature, it could be an issue with the roots.
  • Question
    How do I propagate orchids?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can divide a large orchid by cutting the base into separate pseudobulbs, or by cutting stalks into pieces with one or two nodes each. It helps to find a guide for your exact orchid species.
  • Question
    The undersides of the leaves on my orchids are sticky. What causes this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This may be because of overwatering or a parasite. The underside of the lead is where the orchid secretes excess water, so it is essential to keep it clean, or your orchid could die. I suggest separating the plant from the rest of your orchids, just in case it's a parasite.
  • Question
    Why does the base of my orchid smell bad?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This could be a number of things. Remove it from its current pot and check for root rot at the base, as well as fuzzy white spots (fungal infection). If you find either issue, it's time to report your orchid.
  • Question
    Why is my orchid sprouting a leaf at the TOP of the stem?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Once it grows three roots, cut it off and pot it for a whole new plant. Now you have two.
  • Question
    The flowers are starting to close. Is there any way to save them?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    That just means the blossoms are at the end of their cycle. Cut them back when they turn brown and keep caring for your orchid until it blooms again.
  • Question
    How can you tell a root apart from a flower stem?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you count down two leaves starting from the top, the next shoot is usually a flower spike, which sometimes looks like a mitten. Roots grow from lower on the plant.
  • Question
    I was told to use ice cubes to water the orchids, does this work?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Orchids are tropical plants and the cold ice could send the plant into shock. Watering with room temperature water is best.
  • Question
    My orchid's leaves are still green, but they are very limp. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They need more water, most likely. Check the roots. If the roots are brown-ish and mushy, you may be giving too much water or not allowing for drainage.
  • Question
    What if there is a white-looking fungus growing on the leaves and buds?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Using a weak dish soap mix and a clean sponge, go over each leaf one or two times to remove it.
  • Question
    The undersides of the leaves have a sticky substance. What is this, why is it there and what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It might be aphids or mealy bugs. Aphids are tiny and mostly green, mealy bugs are white and fluffy. Check the underside of the leaf with a flashlight and a magnifier. If you see anything, use a q-tip wet with isopropyl alcohol to clean the plant. Do this every 10-14 days.
  • Question
    How do I get the flower to bloom again?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Put the plant in a slightly cooler place, such as a bedroom window, and give it a lot less water. With a bit of luck, it will start blooming again.
  • Question
    On the stock where the flowers were growing, there are two places where it looks like it is growing a new plant. What's going on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Flower stems when cut down will sometimes be used by the orchid for new flowers. If it looks like there is growth on an old flower stem, it is time to celebrate: you will be gifted with flowers again!
  • Question
    My orchid fell over and broke off one of the blooming stalks. Is there any way to save the stalk?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If it's broken off completely, cut it above the injury with a sterile knife, and trim the portion left on the plant back to the nearest node or the base. The stalk should survive in water. The main plant will be fine but may not bloom again for a while.
  • Question
    Why do my orchids have sticky stuff that comes off the leaves?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Don't worry, as this is just access sap from the plant as it grows.
  • Question
    What do we do with our orchids in the winter? We live in a harsh winter climate from November to March.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If they're outside, bring them inside before the first frost to prevent them from freezing and dying. Then just care for them indoors as you normally would.
  • Question
    My leaves are dark green. I fertilize frequently but have no blooms. What do I need to do for blooming?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Make sure the orchid has enough light. It may have just gone dormant, so be patient.
  • Question
    The leaves are brown on the tips. How can I save them?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Common causes for dark tips on leaves are too much sun, too much fertilizer, or too much salt in the water. IF the orchid is in a sunny spot, move it elsewhere. If you fertilized a lot, don't for a few months. If those two cannot be the reason, it is the salt content: use (deionized) water to completely flush the soil from top to bottom and let it drain out completely.
  • Question
    The flowers are falling off, and the stem is turning yellow. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This is totally natural. The flowers are falling off, because the blooms are done. As they fall, the stem turns yellow. Your orchid is entering its resting period. Just go about your normal care routine.
  • Question
    Is there an easy way to lower the temperature without lowering the thermostat?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Move the plant closer to a window, out of the sun, and away from heaters, or just relocate it to a cooler climate.
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