I got one as a gift for Thanksgiving. The blooms are beginning to drop off (but the rest is still healthy and green). Do I just let them fall off and keep watering it or does it need some cutting? I don't know how to care for this flower. Any help is appreciated.
2007-01-19 05:08:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Just let the aging blooms drop off. When the flowers are all gone, the stalk will begin to become straw-colored and unattractive, so cut it back to where it emerges from the leaves. The fleshy part of an orchid plant below the leaves and flower stalk is called a pseudobulb. After flowering, the leaves may die back to the pseudobulb. If so, cut them back, but don't remove the pseudobulb. New growth will emerge from it (usually before the dieback of the leaves) which will become a new pseudobulb with leaves and, eventually, more flowers.
Care varies according to the species of orchid but, in general, keep the orchid in planting media that drains very quickly (it probably came planted in such media), water the plant every few days, keep it in a humid environment (setting the pot on a tray of pebbles and water with the water not quite reaching the bottom of the pot works well), and place it in good light but no direct sun. Your plant may also develop white "air roots" which are an indication that your orchid is happy in its surroundings.
Good luck and enjoy! You will probably be making a trip to the garden center soon to buy even more beautiful orchids.
2007-01-19 05:25:07 · answer #1 · answered by Sharon 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cut the plant back to where you see a horizontal ine about 5" from the leaves. Hope you have it staked. Use a well diluted Orchid food every watering and it will reflower in about 3 months.
Don't let the plant sit in water.
2007-01-19 08:37:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, let them fall off, and don't move the pot at all unless you're just gently turning it for sun. Water as normal. Don't touch it unless you're gently staking it up. They're such finicky plants, they don't like being moved at all.
It'll take a few more months to see a bud again, that's normal. Just keep caring for it.
My husband is a total green thumb and has kept his orchid alive and thriving for over 2 years now.
2007-01-19 05:14:10 · answer #3 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Orchid plants are very hard to grow... I belive they need lots of light and warmth.. leave it alone for now donot water to much.. let it go dry and then just water very little... It must be kept warm.. the blooms will grow back. also you needs a good plant good . check with your local greeney. I belive the needs the same food as afican voliets...
2007-01-19 05:13:37 · answer #4 · answered by ceemagiclydia 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋