Orchids

[hardy49]

For my birthday my husband gave me three orchids and I am so afraid I am going to kill them !! One of them is in a container but the other two are in very flimsy sort of pots.Should I transfer them to proper pots - and when should I water >
Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Clanad]

Depending on the varietal, orchids can be difficult to impossible to grow successfully. I hope you do not become another defeated orchid grower.

One doesn't need to be fanatical about it (it doeshelp though) but in order to maintain your plants, one must, at least, understand their needs.

Being a tropical plant, often growing on other plants, especially trees bark, they need, no, demand, fairly constant temperatures and high humidity. The truly dedicated grower (of which I am not) finds themselves investing in expensive greenhouses or at least tent like structures.

However, if you'll take the time and effort to locate a plastic tray about 12 by 18 inches and two inches deep in a place free of drafts (warm or cold) and transplant your plants to special orchid bark. They are not tranplanted to anykind of soil. Many growers actually use florists foam into which they fit the roots. Your local floral supply or gardening store can help you. Place your plants close to one another to help increase the humidity.

Contd.

[Clanad]

Contd.

At any rate, the newly rooted plant is placed on a bed of pebbles (I use the kind I bought for my bonsai trees.) They should cover an inch or so in the tray. Then, add water to the tray. Enough to see it standing in the pebbles but not covering them. The actual roots of the orchids should never touch the water. The whole shebang should then be placed in the aforementioned area free of drafts and any changes of temps. They should get as much natural sunlight as possible... at least 6 hours daily. Again, your local gardening store should be able to supply you with a grow light if you don't have a place suitably lit by sun. They're not expensive. (Look for one giving at least 1,000 footcandles (fc) ). A fluorescent light works well.
So, OK, you'll need a spray bottle with the spray emitting a light mist. Again, to keep the humidity up (aiming for 60 to 70%) mist the plant lightly once a day or so, but not in the evening. You don't want drops of water sitting on the plant during night hours (it'll start rot which is fatal (to the plant, not you, hopefully).
Your garden store or online Googling will help you with any fertilizer requirements, which will be very, very small. Keep humidity up and light on and you should have some success... Best of luck!

[hardy49]

Thank you very much indeed

[Hawkwalk]

Clanad has given very good advice as usual but just to add I would guess that you have been given Phalaenopsis as these are the most common being sold in the UK at present.

They are extremely easy to grow and not an orchid to be feared. They are also the easiest ones to bring back into flower in the home.

Take a look here for some more info
http://www.orchids.uk.com/beginnersthree.htm

[hardy49]

You have been a great help - many thanks

[Malagabob333]

I have about a dozen orchids bought from a well known German supermarket.(up to �10 pounds cheaper than the larger British stores) I keep them in their original containers and have left the celophane sleeve in place Many have flowered repeatedly.

[hardy49]

Thanks again

[katerich48]

Can I just add to what everyone has said ..I was given an Orchid for my birthday in August - I put it on my windowsill.. and was told to give it half a cup of water once a week which I did.. My orchid was in flower for three and a half months before the petals dropped... I was then told to cut it back a bit and it should re-flower.

[hardy49]

Thank you all for being so helpful

[terambulan]

My orchids of 4y are still in original pots & constantly in flower - cut off dead flower stems. Keep them indoors on sill facing north and water like monsoon; good soak every few months or when the leaves yellow. I dip them in rain-water butt.