Mumsnet Talk

Anyone know how to bring an orchid back from the brink? On the advice of my MiL months ago I cut off some of the dead woody stems, but they haven't grown back at all
Only the one healthy shoot is still going, and even then it's clearly struggling.

Have I totally ruined its chances?

Do you know what kind it is? I've got a few phalaenopsis (the most common ones that you can find in shops) and I've managed to get them all to re-flower just by re-potting them and giving them some orchid food. You should be able to get it at a garden centre.

There are some tips here.

Would second the orchid food! I had a small white one and after it flowered cut back the dead stems and nothing happened. It was in our upstairs bathroom and my mum reckoned it wasn't getting enough light so I moved it to the kitchen window sill, made sure it doesn't dry out and give it a few drop of food every couple of weeks. After two months ( in October) a green shoot came and grew like made, buds came slowly ( by Christmas) and the green buds are stil there and looks like it might flower soon- so all of that has taken since August! Not flowers for impatient people like me! So have faith OP it will grow- just in its own time!!

Give it some orchid feed and move it somewhere steamy like the kitchen or bathroom. Most orchids are rainforest plants and like a humid atmosphere

I have 3 beautiful orchids which always have loads of flowers that last ages; they get almost no care at all but I put it down to their being very happy in my kitchen.

Nigel the orchid is currently in my kitchen but maybe it's too dry...on a window ledge. I'll try moving it & feeding it anyway

Don't let it sit in water. Most orchids die due to over watering rather than under. Their roots will rot if they are submerged.