These are the most common orchid questions I get and a link to my previous post in regards to their answers. I am also constantly updating each post that I have already completed, as I learn more information, so check back! My answers are not exhaustive but I hope they are helpful and if you have questions or comments please leave them. Or if you have a topic that you would like for me to research and post about, please leave that as well.
1. How much should I water my orchid? CLICK HERE.
NOTE: the most common mistake of any new orchid grower is over-watering an orchid which produces root rot and a myriad of other problems. Make sure your doing this right before anything else. This mistake and orchids not having a drainage hole is a deadly mistake.
2. How do I repot an orchid? CLICK HERE.
3. Why won’t my orchid bloom? CLICK HERE.
4. How do I tell the difference between a root and a spike? CLICK HERE.
5. How do I stake my orchids? CLICK HERE.
6. How much light does my orchid need? CLICK HERE.
7. Am I suppose to fertilize my orchid? CLICK HERE.
8. My orchid has either gnats, fungus and/or rot on it. What should I do? CLICK HERE.
9. Why are my orchid leaves turning yellow? CLICK HERE.
10. Is it okay to mist orchids? CLICK HERE.
Do you have a question? I love helping people out and answering questions!
Here is some info on that:
I welcome questions but overall if you read the other blog post first on watering, fertilizing, repotting etc. it helps both of us know what is going on a little more before you ask a question. I sometimes get people who are so excited about orchids (like me) that they ask a question before reading the other blog post and then I spend a lot of time linking those post in my answers :)
When leaving a comment or emailing – please answer these questions;
- How long you have had your orchid?
- What type of orchid it is – it’s fine if you don’t know
- What the problem/question is
- How are you watering it? How much and and how often?
- Does it have a drainage hole?Please read this first * (see below).
- Also a picture of your “troubled” orchid helps. If you can’t take a picture that is fine.
Orchids with NO drainage holes.
* This is a very common thing for florist to pot orchids in pots like these but it actually kills orchids. Orchids need to have total drainage or their roots smother and die as explained here..
Look for an inner pot inside the white one. If it has one take it out and discard the white pot. If it doesn’t -find a similar size pot with drainage and place it in there until the blooms fall of naturally and then repot it.
If you totally repot while in bloom the blooms may prematurely fall off because repotting shocks and orchid.
Once you have the orchid in a pot with drainage let it totally dry out before watering it again and then when you go to water – water it this way…
Note: Here are pictures I took at local grocery stores for your reference. These are potted in non draining pots.
Hope that helps and let me know if you have further questions,
Hannah
Posted with Blogsy
I bought an orchid (not sure of the name) at a farmer’s market. Cost about 5.00. It was blooming pretty good then the flowers fell off as expected. My question is why are my leaves drooping. They are still green but just drooping. Am I doing something wrong? I’ve been watering it (only when it looks dry) but I haven’t re-potted yet. Could this be the reason?
Thanks
Pat
Pat,
Does your orchid pot have a drainage hole?
Hi Hannah,
I am new to growing orchids (phal) and while my orchid seems to be thriving, I noticed that the bottom most leaf looks significantly smaller than the ones growing above it. It looks almost as if it is a newer leaf! The leaves above it are approx 6 – 8 inches in length, while the bottom one is approx. 3 inches. Have you heard of new leaves growing from the bottom?
Thank you for your help!
Hi Cathy,
I would love to help! New leaves do not grow from bottom on Phals (that I know of) but they can have smaller leaves under larger ones. A few of mine have some smaller leaves underneath.
Hannah
Hi there. I need help please! I have 7 orchids (phals and dendros) that have been easy to maintain for the past year and half…until I moved. I now live in a house where the east and west facing windows are far too small to let in enough light, plus it’s all wooden so the air gets dry quickly. I placed them on the window sills thinking there was enough tree/leaf cover to keep them from being exposed to too much direct sunlight. I was wrong. :( Two of my phals, almost immediately lost ALL of their leaves and blooms. At first I just thought it was them trying to adapt to their new atmosphere; it happened so fast that by the time I realized they were in trouble it seemed almost too late. I quick repotted them, soaking their roots and letting them air out prior, but they just don’t seem to be responding. They were my favorite ones! They are still “leafless and stalkless” and it’s been two months almost. The root system looks dry, but no rot. I just don’t know how to save them! Is it too late for my phals? I can provide pix if needed.
Julie,
Hi – I would love to help. Are you saying there are no more leaves at all? And which ones the Phalaenopsis or the Dendrobiums.
Hannah
Yep. All the leaves fell off. It happened in a matter of 3 days! I’m devastated. I’m trying to figure out how to attach pictures so you can see them. It’s horrible :( The two that I’m talking about are both Phals.
Julie,
Got your pictures – I responded through email. Unfortunately orchids can’t survive with leaves. They need leaves to survive. I asked you some questions through email – hopefully we can figure out what happened so it doesn’t happen to you again. I am so sorry,
Hannah
Hi! My orchid blooms are dying, have gone from about 8 to the last two. The bottom two leaves have yellowed and fallen off but now the remaining 4 leaves are looking “wilted” for lack of a better term. The plant is clean and moist. What should I do?
Hannah,
I would love to help:)
Do you mean the blooms were open and bloomed for awhile and then fell off or did they never open.
How long have you had it?
How do you water it? And how often?
Where is it placed in your house?
Hannah
My Cattleya has a clear sticky substance at the base of the petals onto the stem, all around the flower and it looks like pepper has been sprinkled lightly on the petals. I got the magnifying glass and it really doesn’t look like bugs. I looked at botrytis too and it doesn’t look like a mold. Any ideas? Thank you!
Hi Joyce,
I would love to help. I may need to see a picture? Can you email one to myfirstorchid@gmail.com
It’s hard to tell what is going on from the description because I can’t see it.
How long had this been going on for?
Hannah
thx for all the info. its the only site i use for my orchid care and my orchid is thriving – it has a new leaf and is making roots! lovely!. I’m also gonna use it to take care of a new orchid i got last week. I got it at my local flower shop. It was with about 20 others which were sitting behind the door being discarded after being stripped for a wedding.I asked if they were for sale and the lady said yes for £2.50 (bout 3 dollars). So i spent a good 20 mins finding the best one.Its very large. hopefully it will pick up after a bit.(very wasteful in my personal opinion). Thx again.
V – I love saving orchids that Nurseries are throwing out!! And three bucks is awesome! Great job:)
With orchids like those I normally repot them when I get them home and give them a good watering (they have probably been sitting somewhere unwatered) and they will need some fertilizer.
Again, great job!
Hannah