Herself’s Houseplants

If you are having trouble getting the right amount of water to your orchids consider this method.

“People think that they’re thirsty, that ‘I better get that orchid a little drink of water,”‘ said orchid grower Bob Fuchs. “They rot them.”

Whether buying orchids in a grocery store, a big-box retailer or a specialty garden shop like Fuchs’ nursery, it’s important to identify the species. Two popular species - sun-loving vandas and elegant phalaenopsis orchids - have different watering regimes.

“If you have an orchid in your house, a phalaenopsis that’s growing in a mossy mix, put a couple ice cubes a week on top of the moss,” Fuchs said. “Let that melt in there and that’s enough water for a week.”

Vandas can tolerate heavier, daily waterings if they’re allowed to drain and dry thoroughly. [ read more An orchid grower's tips for keeping an orchid in bloom]

Orchids are about the easiest flowering house plants to grow you’ll find.

If you read the house plant forums you’d think that every orchid needed its own private special micro environment. But that just isn’t true.

The orchids you are most likely to find for sale as house plants include: Cattelya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, and Phragmipedium.

Cattelya, Dendrobium, Oncidium and Paphiopedilum are epiphytic and should be grown in sphagnum moss or wood chips.

Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis and Phragmipedium orchids are terrestrial and should be planted in dirt.

Cattelya and Oncidiums need the most sun, Phalaenopsis the least. None of these want to be in a bright sunny window. You want east and west windows for most orchids. Phalaenopsis can also do well in a north window.

If your orchids leaves become darker, or it doesn’t re-flower for you move it to a sunnier window.

If the leaves get white and bleached or lighten in color, move it to a less sunny window.

Orchids do not like to be dry, but will quickly rot if left standing in water. So check them often. I find mine need watering every 7-14 days depending on the time of year. If the leaves split, wrinkle or fold you are not watering them enough.  If you have your plants planted in moss and they are not drying out every 7-10 days you should plant them in bark instead.  If you plant them in bark you will need to water them 1-3 times a week depending on how humid your home is.  Put a finger in the bark or mulch.  If it is dry water, if not don’t.

Do not get water in the folds of the leaves of the Phalaenopsis, it will rot in as little as one day if water is left sitting there.

Common problems with orchids usually involve bugs, scale being the most common problem. If your plants are sticky you’ve likely got an insect problem. Put the plant in the sink, gently remove any bugs or reside and wash the plant with a little dish soap and water. If it is still sticky a little rubbing alcohol will remove the stickiness. Usually that is all you need to do. But you might have to do this a couple of times to totally be free of bugs.

If the orchid has no roots, it will still usually do fine for you. Plant it in sphagnum moss, give it a little fertilizer and it will likely grow a new set of roots.

Orchids planted in bark do not do well in dry households. They may grow that way in the wild but unless your home is as humid as a jungle and it rains in there several times a day your orchid will quickly dry out.  If you plant your home orchids in bark, be sure to check them every other day to see if they need water.

See also:
Use sphagnum moss to make your plants easier to care for

What to do if your orchid is not doing well?

I find the most common orchid problems are scale, too little sun, or too little water.

With the exception of Phalaenopsis most orchids need a fair bit of sun. You can tell by the color of the leaves, too dark means too little sun. Too pale, or red edges or beige-bleached out leaves mean too much light. Orchid leaves are generally a medium green.

If you put your orchid outdoors to give it more light, put it under a tree. They can not handle direct sunlight.

If the pseudo roots are white or dry instead of green the orchid needs more humidity and likely to be watered more often. If you have your orchid planted in bark move it to sphagnum moss. Doing this cures 90% of orchid problems. You can find the moss at nurseries. It has even been know to raise orchids from the dead.

If the pseudo bulb is wrinkled, the leaves have folds or creases it needs more water. Replant it in moss.

If you have scale or other pests, take your orchid to the sink and wash it off. A little soapy water does fine. You may have to scrape the scale off with your fingernail. Use rubbing alcohol to clean off the stickiness. Then spray with water that has a little liquid dish soap and oil mixed in to it. Any oil handy in the kitchen will work. Do this every time you water the plant until it is free of pests.

I do not fertilize my orchids often. I do so when I re-pot them and maybe twice a year.

Do not under any circumstances cut the flower spike to save the orchid. It will not help and anyone who told you to do that is either mean or clueless. You bought the orchid for the flowers, enjoy them.

Do not let water sit in the folds of Phalaenopsis. It will die and it will do so very quickly. If you get water in there while watering, use a towel to gently dry out that area.

See also:
Use sphagnum moss to make your plants easier to care for