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Q&A for How to Care for Orchids
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QuestionHow often should you water an orchid?Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.Over watering is a very common problem with orchids. They don't require as much water as a lot of people give them. We recommend a small glass of water per week.
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QuestionAfter flowering, should I cut off any brown or dead looking stalks?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Yes. Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of the stem until the next flowering season. If it doesn’t regrow from there, you can remove the rest of last season's stem.
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QuestionNew leaves are growing at the end of two separate flower spikes and air roots. Should I just leave them on the parent plant?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Leaving it could cause the orchid to outgrow the pot. They might be able to be separated into two different plants if the roots are able to easily be separated. Replant the orchid into a bigger pot about every 2 years.
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QuestionWhat are the spikes that grow from the top of the plant? Should I cut these off or leave them alone?Community AnswerNew flowers grow from spikes that grow from the top of the plant. If you're seeing new spikes, let them continue to grow -- you might get new flowers.
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QuestionWhat do you do with air roots of orchids?Community AnswerYou can leave these be. If there are a large amount of areal roots this may mean that your plant does not have enough space to grow in its current pot. Some people like to cut them, but they are there to help your plant grow healthy and strong.
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QuestionMy orchid sends out runners with a white or gray look to them that stay low to the ground. Should I remove them?Community AnswerThese are roots, which emerge from above the soil level and turn silver-grey as they mature. Your orchid is an epiphyte, meaning it sends out "air roots" to attach to branches or rocks, without any connection to the soil. You shouldn't remove them, but you could switch to a terrestrial orchid if you don't like the look. It may also help to move the plant to a larger pot.
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QuestionAfter the blooms died off, the main stalk is beginning to die. How do I save it?Community AnswerThis is the natural process of an orchid. It will switch between growing new roots, flowers, flower spikes, and blooming. Once your flowers have run their course they will fall off and your main flower spike will begin to brown at the tip. At this point you can cut it back to the first node and hope for a new spike to grow out of it, or cut it off close to the base and allow for the new roots to begin to grow.
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QuestionWhen is the best time to repot your orchids? Mine seem to flower year round.Community AnswerWait until the orchid is actively sending out new buds or roots, usually right after it's dropped flowers. Some orchids are more finicky about repotting than others.
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QuestionCan you put an orchid outside to help it flower?Community AnswerThis depends on the environment. Yes, orchids do like a slight drop in temperature at night to help them bloom, but low humidity or too much sunlight may kill them.
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QuestionThe leaves of my orchid have split and cracked. What does this mean? Also I've got it growing in a large glass bowl with no drainage, is that all okay?Community AnswerAbsolutely not. Drainage is the number one key to keeping your orchid alive. These plants naturally grow on trees in the jungle. So while they receive a great amount of water to their roots, they have time to dry out and breathe. This could be why your leaves are splitting.
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QuestionMy orchid's buds are not opening, only drying and dropping. What's going on?Community AnswerSudden changes in temperature can cause sudden drying or dropping, called bud blast. If you have not had any changes with your temperature, it could be an issue with the roots.
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QuestionHow do I propagate orchids?Community AnswerYou can divide a large orchid by cutting the base into separate pseudobulbs, or by cutting stalks into pieces with one or two nodes each. It helps to find a guide for your exact orchid species.
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QuestionThe undersides of the leaves on my orchids are sticky. What causes this?Community AnswerThis may be because of overwatering or a parasite. The underside of the lead is where the orchid secretes excess water, so it is essential to keep it clean, or your orchid could die. I suggest separating the plant from the rest of your orchids, just in case it's a parasite.
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QuestionWhy does the base of my orchid smell bad?Community AnswerThis could be a number of things. Remove it from its current pot and check for root rot at the base, as well as fuzzy white spots (fungal infection). If you find either issue, it's time to report your orchid.
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QuestionWhy is my orchid sprouting a leaf at the TOP of the stem?Community AnswerOnce it grows three roots, cut it off and pot it for a whole new plant. Now you have two.
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QuestionThe flowers are starting to close. Is there any way to save them?Community AnswerThat just means the blossoms are at the end of their cycle. Cut them back when they turn brown and keep caring for your orchid until it blooms again.
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QuestionHow can you tell a root apart from a flower stem?Community AnswerIf you count down two leaves starting from the top, the next shoot is usually a flower spike, which sometimes looks like a mitten. Roots grow from lower on the plant.
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QuestionI was told to use ice cubes to water the orchids, does this work?Community AnswerNo. Orchids are tropical plants and the cold ice could send the plant into shock. Watering with room temperature water is best.
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QuestionMy orchid's leaves are still green, but they are very limp. What should I do?Community AnswerThey need more water, most likely. Check the roots. If the roots are brown-ish and mushy, you may be giving too much water or not allowing for drainage.
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QuestionWhat if there is a white-looking fungus growing on the leaves and buds?Community AnswerUsing a weak dish soap mix and a clean sponge, go over each leaf one or two times to remove it.
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QuestionThe undersides of the leaves have a sticky substance. What is this, why is it there and what should I do?Community AnswerIt might be aphids or mealy bugs. Aphids are tiny and mostly green, mealy bugs are white and fluffy. Check the underside of the leaf with a flashlight and a magnifier. If you see anything, use a q-tip wet with isopropyl alcohol to clean the plant. Do this every 10-14 days.
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QuestionHow do I get the flower to bloom again?Community AnswerPut the plant in a slightly cooler place, such as a bedroom window, and give it a lot less water. With a bit of luck, it will start blooming again.
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QuestionOn the stock where the flowers were growing, there are two places where it looks like it is growing a new plant. What's going on?Community AnswerFlower stems when cut down will sometimes be used by the orchid for new flowers. If it looks like there is growth on an old flower stem, it is time to celebrate: you will be gifted with flowers again!
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QuestionMy orchid fell over and broke off one of the blooming stalks. Is there any way to save the stalk?Community AnswerIf it's broken off completely, cut it above the injury with a sterile knife, and trim the portion left on the plant back to the nearest node or the base. The stalk should survive in water. The main plant will be fine but may not bloom again for a while.
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QuestionWhy do my orchids have sticky stuff that comes off the leaves?Community AnswerDon't worry, as this is just access sap from the plant as it grows.
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QuestionWhat do we do with our orchids in the winter? We live in a harsh winter climate from November to March.Community AnswerIf they're outside, bring them inside before the first frost to prevent them from freezing and dying. Then just care for them indoors as you normally would.
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QuestionMy leaves are dark green. I fertilize frequently but have no blooms. What do I need to do for blooming?Community AnswerMake sure the orchid has enough light. It may have just gone dormant, so be patient.
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QuestionThe leaves are brown on the tips. How can I save them?Community AnswerCommon causes for dark tips on leaves are too much sun, too much fertilizer, or too much salt in the water. IF the orchid is in a sunny spot, move it elsewhere. If you fertilized a lot, don't for a few months. If those two cannot be the reason, it is the salt content: use (deionized) water to completely flush the soil from top to bottom and let it drain out completely.
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QuestionThe flowers are falling off, and the stem is turning yellow. What should I do?Community AnswerThis is totally natural. The flowers are falling off, because the blooms are done. As they fall, the stem turns yellow. Your orchid is entering its resting period. Just go about your normal care routine.
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QuestionIs there an easy way to lower the temperature without lowering the thermostat?Community AnswerMove the plant closer to a window, out of the sun, and away from heaters, or just relocate it to a cooler climate.
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