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Orchids

ariadna.bakhmatovaariadna.bakhmatova Posts: 118
in Plants
dear gardeners, what should I be doing with these orchids - throw them away? 

Posts

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    I've had one going since  2017. I just cut the old flowering stalk down to a stub, give it some water, put it in the back bedroom which is cool unless it's sunny, water when I remember and am amazed when a new flowering stalk appears then I bring it down to the kitchen. I have never repotted or fed it. Although I must admit it now has yellow leaves but is flowering for the second time this year.
  • ariadna.bakhmatovaariadna.bakhmatova Posts: 118
    Thank you! So it’s essential to put them in a dark place ?
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    Not at all,  I just put it upstairs out of the way as they aren't very attractive without flowers and it's a bit cooler but not even sure if that matters. Mine  seems to thrive on neglect!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    To encourage flowering, the moth orchids need to be put in a cool, light, frost free place. Blooms are promoted by a big change in temps. An unheated, light, porch or similar, can be good - a bit warmer in the day and closer to zero at night. I've always found this to work.  It's not quick, but then nothing aboout phal orchids are quick - they grow slowly, blooms slowly and die slowly - which is part of their charm.

    You could tip out the pot and check if the roots are ok. If they have been underwatered - or more likely, over-watered  the roots will be brown, dried out or rotted. If they are happy, they will be grey or green and firm. You can snip off any dead or dried out roots and put the plant back in the bark medium. Bark is best (not moss or anything else).


    To water it's best to dip the pot in a bucket for about ten mins and let fully drain. Get to know the weight of the pot so you need when it needs water. Once every two or three weeks might be fine depending on its location, season and size of the pot. That's hard to advise so it's best to get to know the weight of your own pots - heavy when damp and light when dry.

  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    That's why  mine reblooms @Fire Thank you. Room gets very warm when the sun is out as it's triple aspect but we don't heat it much unless we have guests. Not my amazing green thumb after all 😐
  • English_girl_in_FranceEnglish_girl_in_France Posts: 108
    You sound like me when I had my first orchid 😅 luckily my aunt stopped me chucking it and have had it for a few years now! I love orchids, they're so pretty! 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I don't suppose big temp is the only reason they rebloom, but it does help if no flowerspikes have appeared for ages.
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