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Anyone know anything about orchids?

13 replies

AliceTheCamelHasNoHumps · 27/07/2016 18:54

Hello, not really gardening, more a house plant question!
I have an orchid that was given to me about 6 months ago in full bloom. The flowers did not last very long. I know you have to water them sparingly, allow the roots to drain, and feed occasionally, all of which I have been doing. But no more flowers as yet.
It was originally in a glass dish covered by moss but it seemed like the moisture was getting trapped so have left it just standing in its pot. Is that correct? Also should I cut off the dead (is it dead?) flower stem to encourage a new one to grow?
I really am clueless but would love it to flower again - any advice very gratefully received!

Anyone know anything about orchids?
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Ferguson · 27/07/2016 20:07

Orchids need quite special care, so you would be better off finding an 'orchid growers' website. Virtually every kind of plant has its own 'enthusiasts' site.

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AliceTheCamelHasNoHumps · 28/07/2016 06:57

Ok thanks Ferguson I will have a google

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Footle · 28/07/2016 07:25

Wasn't the moisture supposed to be trapped in the original pot ? I thought that was why they were sold in those pots.

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TheoriginalLEM · 28/07/2016 07:28

They are notoriously difficult to get to flower again but stick with it. Mine sat dormant for well over a year vefore it put out a flower spike. I think you can encourage this by reducing its tem

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Spring2016 · 28/07/2016 07:32

I have mine in the original pots that have bark like chips in it. Once a week I give them 3 ice cubes each. I have had 3 for 11 months and they still get new blooms. The ice cube instructions came with an orchid I bought for my friend. My orchids said 1/4 cup of water once a week. I tried the ice cubes instead, and they seem to like that. ☺

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Spring2016 · 28/07/2016 07:37
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Tinklypoo · 28/07/2016 07:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thunderpunt · 28/07/2016 07:38

I have 3 orchids and think I've finally got,the hang of them. Once they have flowered, I cut off the stem back down to where the leaves are, nothing more will flower on that stem. Then continue with occasionL watering and eventually you will see a new shoot start to appear from underneath. Use clips to train it up the cane, eventually you will get new blooms

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thunderpunt · 28/07/2016 07:41

New shoot just poking up through leaves in first pic, and a few weeks further on in second photo

Anyone know anything about orchids?
Anyone know anything about orchids?
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PacificDogwod · 28/07/2016 07:43

I find orchids quite easy to neglect look after Smile

Leave it in its outer pot.
Cut the dead stem off about one or two 'eyes' above the soil level (you'll see the wee marks on the stem).
Dunk in water so the barky stuff that they are usually planted in is thoroughly wet, led drain (that is the most important bit), then back in to outer pot.

I have 3 in the bathroom and 4 on my kitchen window sill: one of them has kept its original flower for 1 year Shock, and the others sprout new flowers regularly. I am not very good at remembering to feed them.

They like being sprayed with water (I have never done that).
I think they have this reputation of being very difficult to look after and IME the ones that come from Tesco's are dead easy Grin
Disclaimer: I have no specialist knowledge of orchids, don't even know what mine are called.

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AliceTheCamelHasNoHumps · 28/07/2016 07:57

Ooh came back from my shower to loads of advice! There is hope for my orchid! Thanks everyoneSmile

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Qwebec · 03/08/2016 03:41

I's my job to care for orchids (plus the fifteen ones I have at home) and Pacific is spot on.
Just to add: do the dunking in the morning, water in the core after dark leads to rot really fast.
What I do tohelp them reflower: in the fall I keep the windows open at night for a few weeks (the temperature must drop a few degrees, but not under 15 C). A few months later 80-90% of the plants bloom again for a few months.

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PacificDogwod · 03/08/2016 08:00

Oooh, I did not know that about the timing of dunks - thank you, Qwebec Smile

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