I am new to orchid growing…How do I know if the plant has a new root (growing upward) or if it is a spike?
Posted by admin
My moth orchid is growing something that is going up. Is it a root or a spike for flowering?
A flower spike has a slightly flattened end, with a dent in it- the end almost looks like a little mitten. The spike also comes out below the 5th leaf from the top, unless the orchid has lost leaves above that point for some reason. Roots are round, with an evenly tapered tip- and yeah, sometimes they head up instead of down…
Where can I find some beautiful, inexpensive orchid plants?
Posted by admin
My mom loves orchids. But in winter it is hard to find nice orchid plants that are flowering. Some help, please. Thanks.
They are often found in the garden center at Lowe’s or Home Depot at this time of the year.Many varieties are winter bloomers,especially several varieties of cattleyas.They are made available for holiday gift giving, and the prices are almost always less than the smaller nurseries.
How do I fix my ailing orchid?
Posted by admin
I have an orchid that we received as a wedding present that is now turning yellow and loosing its leaves. It is the kind of orchid that has little hips that the leaves come out of (not phalenopsis…sp?) Should I fertilize it (which involves water) or let it dry out? We also don’t have the best lighting in our house. Is there any hope for it?
You should buy some new soil for it, you can buy it ready made in most garden centers. Then carefully take it out of the post, hopefully it is dry, the carefully trim away any of the dead or dried roots. Try and remove as much of the soil as possible from the rooting system before replanting. If the roots are still a little wider than the pot got to the next size up.
There are some very pretty Orchid pots out there now days, they actually have holes in the sides which will help with keeping the orchid in-between a wet and dry state. Plant the orchid and top with new moss on the top, water until you get some absorption in the soil, but never let it sit in standing water, it’s better to be somewhat dry than too wet.
Save your fertilizer for the summer season, and try not to get any water on the leaves this will promote brown spots, which will not hurt the plant, just make it look unsightly. Water caught in the folds of the leaves will rot them out as will over-watering.
Orchids are a whole new realm in the plant world, good luck and happy gardening.
I have an Orchid in a pot without holes. Do I repot it now or after the blooms are gone?
Posted by admin
I just received this Moth Orchid for Mother’s day. I just read on another web site that it should be in a pot with drainage holes. I have really great blooms on it right now, but I am concerned because I watered it about three weeks ago and the medium is still quite moist. I don’t want to drown the poor thing, but I don’t want to send it into shock, either, by transplanting it. What is the best thing to do?
please do not repot this plant as yet wait until it has bloom all the way…when its done you have to buy a pot just for Orchids and there is soil for Orchids that is not soil its like pebbles,this is why I say to wait,,and dont over water it else all the flowers will fall off.right now keep it in a bright place like near a window that does not get too much sun,and water it only when it needs it ok good luck..
My vanda orchid which has previously flowered is now beginning to lose it’s leaves?
Posted by admin
Everytime I water it another one falls off. There are now very few leaves left but the flowers still remain. I water the orchid by submerging it in water a couple of times a week but have never misted it.
This site may offer some help
http://www.paradiseimports.co.uk/articles/orchids/vanda.htm
Wendy
Does anyone have a home recipe for orchid cloning?
Posted by admin
I am looking for simple home-made recipe for orchid cloning and seed-sowing media. And also for the replating medium. Thanks for all those who can provide any help.
A Yahoo search for "orchid propagation" (include the quotation marks) yields 64,600 results. If you do the same search, and are willing to do a little exploring, I’m sure you will find out more than you care to know about the subject. There are many forums where you can post questions for discussion by orchid experts in addition to other information.
Good luck with your search for information.
How can I make my Cattelya Orchid bloom?
Posted by admin
I have 2 Cattelya Orchids- one for 3 years and one for 2 years now. I had them in Florida inside with a bright filtered light window and gave them orchid grow fertilizer about every week and a half-2wks. They’ve grown big (trippled in size actually) and seem to do well in orchid bark mix with spagnum moss around the top surface. I’ve moved to Indiana 2-3 months ago and they again have a perfect window and seem to be doing just fine. Good sturdy, green leaves, and I let them dry out between waterings and then drench them good leaching the medium each time. But, even using Orchid Bloom instead of orchid grow fertilizer, I can’t seem to get them to bloom! What else can I do? Am I doing something wrong?
Hi,
Water it the Malaysian way, with water after rinsing your vegetable, rice or fish. Fish or seafood water is best.
Get your tips from my web site,
http://www.my-island-penang.com/lina-jam-puff-and-tarts.html
Also,feel free to learn about our Penang tradition and cultures.
I will be adding more of stuffs as I go along…cheers friends
Nyonya Pearl from Penang
How can I make my orchid bloom again?
Posted by admin
I rec’d an orchid as a gift several years back and it bloomed beautiful purple flowers for the first couple years. However, the last few years, it seems to be struggling.
It grows and grows and starts new shoots off the old ones, but the flower buds shrivel up and fall off. Eventually, the new shoots partially shrivel up and well.
I let the moss dry out and then water. It’s in a South facing window that never gets direct sunlight, but gets plenty of indirect light.
The excess water is allowed to filter through.
I’ve used an orchid fertilizer in the past, but haven’t recently as it didn’t seem to be improving the blooming problems.
Some of the roots are coming up out of the moss.
I hope that this provides enough info that someone can help! I *will* choose a best answer, and appreciate any "stars" and good answers that I get!
Thank you in advance!
The problem you describe is called blossom drop which most often is due to temperatures or humidity, or both being outside the plant’s preferred range. Orchids like it hot and humid. Exposure to temperatures much below 80 – 85 degrees (or much above 105 degrees) will suppress the plant’s reproductive cycle, interfere with flowering and fruiting, and may even cause the plant to go dormant until conditions improve. Check your ambient temperatures and see if that may be the problem. Humidity may be improved by placing the plant in a bathroom or kitchen window where it can get some moist air once in a while.
The roots coming out of the compost may be a hint that it’s time to repot, otherwise nothing to worry about..
The shoots (pseudopods) is where the plant stores food. As the food is drawn, the pods appear to shrivel. This is normal. Cut them off when they turn brown. If your orchid (which sounds like it may be a Dendrobium) has six or more live pods, you might want to divide it.
How do i look after a Jewel Orchid?
Posted by admin
My boyfriend bought me a Jewel Orchid as a gift and i have never looked after plants apart from Cactus, which in all fairness don’t need looking after.
does anyone have any tips for looking after this type of orchid or orchid in general?
I.E… how do i water them, how many times a day, best place to keep them etc.
Thanks in advance
Place your "Jewel Orchid" in bright filtered light. Avoid placing your plant in an area with cold drafts or to near a cold window. Your "Jewel Orchid" should produce 3 to 5 flower spikes once a year between November and January. Check for watering weekly allowing the surface of the soil to dry. Feed bi-monthly with Orchid Food. Stem cuttings can be rooted in a container of water or vermiculite.
How can I get my potted orchid to produce a flower?
Posted by admin
I have had the same orchid potted in bark since I got it over a year ago. It is doing well, but it won’t seem to flower any more?
Look for an orchid specific nutrient. The plant foods are sold with a guaranteed analysis called NPK
Those number represent NITROGEN< PHOSPHOROUS> AND POTASSIUM> the first number should be high if your looking for vegative growth, the second number should be high if you are fruiting or flowering and the last number helps maitain the health of the plant and delivery of vital micronutrients. So look for an orchid food with a high middle number
Cheers!
