How to maintain Orchids
I love Orchids! However, little did I know about Orchids and how to maintain them. I’ve killed all my previous Orchids..not intentionally, of course. I just didn’t know! I was in a garden store recently and I asked one of the gardeners how I should pick an Orchid and keep it alive. The gentleman originally from Malaysia eagerly shared with me everything he knows about Orchids and he has been tending Orchids for over 20 years!
So the scoop in 7 magical steps:
(1) Understand the natural habitat of Orchids. Grown in Asia in countries like Malaysia it loves hot, humid climate and grows in the bark of mature trees — not soil! I did not know that!
(2) Pick a healthy orchid (white orchids are the easiest to maintain). Look out for droopy yellowing leaves – not a good sign. Are the blooms healthy? Pick 4 plants that shows sign of health like fleshy, green leaves and healthy blooms…pick the best one!
(3) Buy a terra cotta Orchid pot – yes, it is a special pot with slats around the side to allow aeration.
(4) Buy an Orchid fertilizer. Used twice a week through the summer. Detailed instructions are on the product.
(5) Maintenance: Water the Orchid every 2 weeks. Now here is the golden trick: Never ever let the pot stand with water in the tray – the dampness will kill the roots! Water and allow the water to drain out before placing it back on the water tray.
(6) Ideal Environment: Bathrooms or Kitchens where there is higher humidity with running water.
(7) Pruning Orchids: Remove aged yellowing leaves. Once the blooms are gone on the stem, cut the stem just above the fourth node from the bottom.
Good news: My Orchid is still alive and a new leaf is sprouting! No blooms yet!
Karin Hoover says:
I got an orchid for my birthday. it was the prettiest one i had ever seen. Within 4 days of being in my basement apartment all 6 of the blooms had wilted and fallen off. Now the leaves are wilted and one is yellow. is this plant savable?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Indra says:
You may still have hope…make sure there is no water in the bottom. Leave it for a week without water. Get some orchid fertilizer and follow the steps above.
Good Luck, Karin!
August 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm