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Just bought an orchid and confused about its care

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  • The temp seems ok but in the winter months it maynot get enough light.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Ok thanks
    I'll move it into a south-facing room that is a bit warmer and much brighter and keep my fingers crossed I'll get another 7 months of flowers by summer again.
    Thanks for your advice :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • I wouldn't worry about it being north-facing;  I keep mine on north-facing windowsills all year round and they are fine and flower well.  Just make sure they are misted or standing on moist pebbles or hydroleca.  They don't seem to like being in more sunny spots anyway. I find it easier to make up a spray bottle with a tiny amount of orchid fertiliser because that way I can feed them and keep up the humidity at the same time.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks @parrotfeather*

    The south facing bedroom is a bit warmer at night, so it may be happier there.
    It's also where I dry my laundry so humidity should be good (on washing days at least)
    I've put it away from the window so it's in bright but not direct sunlight - I've just got to try and remember to water it

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • I wouldn't worry about it being north-facing;  I keep mine on north-facing windowsills all year round and they are fine and flower well.  Just make sure they are misted or standing on moist pebbles or hydroleca.  They don't seem to like being in more sunny spots anyway. I find it easier to make up a spray bottle with a tiny amount of orchid fertiliser because that way I can feed them and keep up the humidity at the same time.
    @parrotfeather*wonder what temperature your north-facing room is in the winter? I left mine in a north-facing bathroom and it was fine until about a month ago when three bottom leaves turned yellow and dropped off... I suspect it was a bit too cold in there as the room is not heated at all. The orchid is still flowering though, so I've now moved it (with only one green leaf left) to a south-facing room which is a bit warmer.
  • Hi. My orchids are kept in warmer conditions in centrally-heated rooms although the radiators are not on all the time and they are on a low settling  most of the time.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    100% on not cutting the stems immediately after flowering.

    I made that mistake with my first one. There's a good chance it'll re-flower on the same stem if it doesn't die back.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks @Dirty Harry
    It's still flowering atm, so I'll bear your advice in mind when it's done in the next few weeks

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Had to post a final pic of my little orchid.
    It was in flower when I bought it in July last year, and those flowers are still on the plant today, 9 months later!
    Looks like they're about to drop, but I see a new bud emerging from one of the flowered stems, so I'm glad I followed the advice given previously and not cut the flowered stem off. Hopefully more flowers again soon :)
    I'd never have believed that a flower could last 9 months! 
    The wonders of nature



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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