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QuestionHow do you care for an orchid plant?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistOrchids need enough water but should be given the chance to dry out between waterings. So, use your finger to poke the top inch of soil to test if it needs watering. If the orchid is indoors, it needs between 50 and 70% humidity. -
QuestionCan you use ice cubes to water orchids?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistYes, the ice-cube melts slowly, giving the orchid a slow source of hydration so it doesn't drown. -
QuestionHow do you get an orchid to bloom again?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistOnce the orchid starts to go dormant, begin using a balanced fertilizer on it each month. Make sure the temperature of the orchid is between 55 and 65 degrees. Keep the plant in indirect sunlight until the flower spike shows. Once the spike is around 5" tall, brace it with a tie-up. -
QuestionDo orchids need a lot of sunlight?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistOrchids do not like direct sunlight, as it can cause them to burn. On the other hand, if the orchid does not get enough light, it may not flower. -
QuestionMy orchid is dropping blooms, what do I do?Community AnswerNothing special. Fertilize it with diluted liquid fertilizer on a monthly basis. Water it when you see the visible roots get gray. If the flowers are falling off, it is normal, cut the stem off completely and it will grow larger stems with bigger flowers next time.
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QuestionIs it okay for roots to grow out of the top of orchids?Community AnswerYes, it is. With those roots, the orchid can take humidity and carbon dioxide from the air.
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QuestionWhat should I do with leaf growth on a flower stem?Community AnswerA leaf growing on a flower stem probably is a baby orchid starting to grow. Securely stake the stem it is growing on, and trim it back. When the stem above the baby dies, it might even flower on its own. Leave it there at least until it has several healthy roots of its own, or if the stem between the two orchids dies off.
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QuestionCan I put two orchids in the same pot?Community AnswerYes, as long as it's the same variety of orchid. Just make they have enough space.
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QuestionFlowers are falling off and the stem has turned yellow. Should I cut off the yellow stem to the first green joint?Community AnswerCut back to where the stem is green and dust the raw end of the stem with ground cinnamon.
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QuestionWhen can I transplant my orchids to a bigger pot?Community AnswerTransplant them between the middle of June and the end of August. Make sure you move them before you give them water. Transplant first, then water.
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QuestionDo I cut the old flower bearing stem once the bloom dies off?Community AnswerYes, unless its a pal orchid, then cut just above the second to last node that had a flower and usually it'll flower again.
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QuestionI have several roots coming out of my pot. Should I move my plant to a bigger pot?Community AnswerYes, but do not cover all the roots, because the orchid can breathe and take moisture through the external roots.
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QuestionHow can I tell if it's growing new stems for blooms or if it's just roots?Community AnswerYou can check the time of year; orchids generally start to bloom when nights grow colder. Bloom spikes look like a little green stem with mitten-shaped ends and grow upwards, while roots grow downward or sideways.
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QuestionHow often do orchids flower?Community AnswerMost orchids, like dendrobium and phalaenopsis, bloom once a year. Others like vanda orchids bloom once every few years, and some bloom multiple times a year.
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QuestionIs it necessary to tie the branch to the flower?Community AnswerIt is not necessary, but the flower stem will not grow upright without being supported. It also helps keep the stem from breaking as easily.
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QuestionWhat's a pal orchid?Community AnswerThere's no such thing. The answerer of that question was most likely referring to the Phal (Phalaenopsis) orchid.
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QuestionAll the leaves are burnt and yellow. What should I do?Community AnswerYou may have exposed your orchid to too much sunlight, too much fertilizer, or it might be infected by some diseases. You can adjust your system care in your orchids in 1 and 2, but in 3, try to change the medium of your orchid with a new one.
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QuestionIs it still okay to water them with ice cubes with fertilizer mixed in?Community AnswerYes, but it's not necessary. If the circumstances are proper your orchid will bloom for months regardless. I would suggest liquid fertilizer diluted with water.
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QuestionCan I plant multiple orchids in one pot?Community AnswerYes, but it is better to plant them in different pots. In big pots you can plant more, but it will be hard to repot them because of their roots.
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QuestionIs it normal for leaves to grow where the flowers should sprout?Community AnswerSometimes orchids have strange endings where the leaves sprout out. If the bud where the "leaf" is coming out is purple, pink, or white in color, then you might have a problem.
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QuestionHow do I get rid of ants in my orchid's pot?Community AnswerTake the plant out of its pot and wash the roots until the ants are gone.
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QuestionOnce blooms have faded, should I continue to place 3 ice cubes weekly on exposed roots?Community AnswerNo, you should not. After the flowers fall off, you can cut the stem completely, then it will grow a much larger stem with bigger flowers.
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QuestionHow do I use manure on an orchid?Community AnswerYou shouldn't; your orchid could become over-fertilized, and it retains too much moisture, which will rot its roots.
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QuestionI was bought a dyed blue orchid which is slowly turning white. What do I feed the orchid to keep it blue?Community AnswerUse dyed ice cubes to water your orchid. The plant will absorb the water and the dye, and regain the blue color.
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QuestionCan phalaenopsis seeds grow without a germination medium?Community AnswerThey have to have a very special germination medium to grow from seed. In fact, it's best to buy seedlings already in a flask, ready to be transplanted.
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QuestionAnother plant with roots is growing from the top of a stem no longer producing flowers. What should I do?Community AnswerA leaf growing on a flower stem probably is a baby orchid starting to grow. Securely stake the stem it is growing on and trim it back. When the stem above the baby dies, it might even flower on its own. Leave it there at least until it has several healthy roots of its own, or if the stem between the two orchids dies off.
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QuestionDo I trim the roots that look dead?Community AnswerIf the roots have a papery feel to them, even after watering the plant, then you can trim that section off. If the roots are grey or faded but not flat, crunchy, or brittle, then the root is still alive. Orchid roots need both water and air for the plant to survive.
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QuestionAre very small caterpillars detrimental to orchids?Community AnswerYes. Caterpillars eat other plants as well, such as chives. If you see any on your plants, fill up a bucket of soapy water and (with gloves on) drop them inside to drown them. If you see any eggs, remove the part of the egg they've been lain on.
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QuestionCan an orchid be grown in a bright artificial light?Community AnswerThe three most common types of artificial lighting used in growing orchids are fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, and LED. Incandescent light bulbs, which are basic household bulbs, are not recommended because they give off a lot of heat and are not energy efficient.
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QuestionCan I cut some of the roots if my orchids have a lot of exposed ones?Community AnswerOnly do it if the root is dead or dry. The roots need air along with water.
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