My first orchid was from B&Q and this was reduced after Mothers day and looked very sad it was reduced from 14.95 to 3.00 over 3 years ago. The ticket on the pot say discard when flowered, but I trimmed it off repotted in new orchid compost and it has been flowering ever since. I keep min in the conservatory which as lots of natural light and warm from the sun, it loves it. I agree that there probally are too many being discarded after flowering.
Like so many of you, I buy my orchids when reduced, at the supermarket. So far I seem to be doing the right things as Mine have flowered for months. Question: Why has the occasional leaf become beige and papery -looking with a bumpy, blistered appearance under the surface? This starts at the tip of a leaf and gradually spreds downwards. It is not on every leaf, has not spread to other orchids and when I chopped off the offending bit, it made no difference to the flowers. Other leaves on the same plant are healthy and green. HELP!!!
David I grew the Eagret Orchids this year, but outdoors in the garden and all flowered. the bulbs need to be kept dry through the winter months to protect from rotting. Use orchid compost and growing in dappled shade
I have a moth orchid which was a present five years ago, and it has never been without flowers since I received it. It had one stem originally, and before the last flowers have died there is always at least one new stem starting to bloom. Some of the stems which have flowered turn white and dried out so I cut them off, but the stems which are still alive will flower again. When I remember to water it I put it into a bowl of water and leave it for about ten minutes, then leave it to drain before returning it to its container.
I moved house three months ago and with the upheaval of unpacking and workmen in the house I forgot to water it for about six weeks, but it does not seem to have affected it at all and there are now eight flowering stems on it with lots of side shoots.
I have an orchid which has finished flowering, but now seems to have a new very small set of leaves forming, on its side, with aerial roots. Can I take these off and start a new orchid?
I thought the same when people bought me three orchids when I moved to my new house three years ago. I have just left them on my kitchen bay window sill (east facing)and watered them when I remembered (I do use water from my water filter tho'). I have not repotted or pruned in anyway and they have surprised me when they have flowered again and again. I think they like to be neglected a bit I don't think they can go on forever so I don't know if I should look after them now or not.
I have a fair few moth orchids. I plant them in a glass jar/tall glass vase. I place glass beads in the bottom and then plant the orchid on top with its compost. I fill it with rain water out of my water butt and allow algae to grow on the beads. The orchids thrive in the kitchen, bathroom and lounge. All I have to do is top the water level up occasionally!! I have them flowering 2-3 times a year.
I have about 12 phalaenopsis, a papheopedium, a miltonia and a couple of zygotiums and have managed to get all to re flower. They are all kept in east facing windows and I water about once a fortnight. I did try a couple in the conservatory but the sun burnt the leaves. Rather than throwing away I kept them and they have both re-flowered though the leaves are a little deformed. I would always hang onto mine until I was sure they were dead and even when the flowers have stopped it has never taken too long to wait for a new spike. Apart from the phalaenopsis I put all the rest outside for the summer and they really seem to like it, even though we live in the north.
I continue to be amazed with orchids. I started out in the same way as others around two years ago with a gift. Now I have over forty of them in all stages of growth. I have at least five in full bloom every month all year round. I have lost one or two over the two years I have been growing them but the time I have given to the plants I have gained so much experience and the pleasure they given to date has been the best reward a person can have who normally can not even grow grass. Congratulations to other growers who have taken their plants into a second year. The rewards are obvious. Good luck.
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So far I seem to be doing the right things as Mine have flowered for months.
Question:
Why has the occasional leaf become beige and papery -looking with a bumpy, blistered appearance under the surface?
This starts at the tip of a leaf and gradually spreds downwards. It is not on every leaf, has not spread to other orchids and when I chopped off the offending bit, it made no difference to the flowers. Other leaves on the same plant are healthy and green.
HELP!!!
I moved house three months ago and with the upheaval of unpacking and workmen in the house I forgot to water it for about six weeks, but it does not seem to have affected it at all and there are now eight flowering stems on it with lots of side shoots.