My Orchid Died....now what?

Are you part of one of those 'buy nothing' groups? I am. And, I am always seeing posts about orchids that have bloomed and now the plant parent is at a loss and is looking to re-home their once precious flower.

Well, I am here to help. I have successfully had my orchid re-bloom over and over again and it is surprisingly easy! That said, I have an easy to grow variety in the phalaenopsis group which is commonly sold in garden centers and grocery stores.

Orchids are tropical plants. With some exceptions, most like light, but not direct sunlight. My orchid lives in my back window. It never gets direct sun. Orchids also need a bedtime, like all of us. In other words, they do require darkness. If you have your orchid in a space with constant lights, it may explain why it is so unhappy. If you are using artificial lights, consider a timer to mimic the cycle of the day. Dark leaves can suggest not enough light; black spots may suggest sunburned leaves; medium to light leaves suggest sufficient light.

While orchids are tropical, they do not like constant heat. If possible, expose your orchid to nighttime temperatures 10 degrees cooler than their daytime temperatures. They generally like temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. I just leave my orchid. But, our house naturally has higher daytime temperatures than nighttime ones. Once your orchid has bloomed, move it to a cool spot to replicate what it would experience in nature. It is helpful to know what kind of orchid you have and what its growing cycle is like. You may even wish to consider placing your orchid outside in the summer during what is normally their dormant season.

Water your orchid infrequently. I generally touch the soil around mine to see if it is very dry. I don't follow a schedule but also do not water more than once a week. I just add a little water when the soil around the plant feels quite dry. When I water, I do not add a great deal of water. Some experts recommend a good water and drip dry. I never do this. Sometimes, I water with an ice cube to allow for a slow drip. Water around the crown and not down it. Orchids do not like "wet feet" so do not saturate your pot and leave it to sit. If your orchids roots are turning brown, you are likely watering it too much. For the phalaenopsis variety, wait until the roots are silvery before watering. Wrinkled leaves can signal either too much or too little water. If your blooms start but shrivel and drop, it is likely a sign of too little water. Just as our bodies do, the plant will protect its core and sacrifice the blooms.

Orchids are not heavy feeders and mine are generally happy to be left alone. However, if you feel that a fertilizer may spur your blooms on, use one for orchids which is generally a urea-free fertilizer. Do not fertilize when the plant is in its dormant period, if it has one.

Most orchids bloom in the fall or winter, and even spring, and several bloom several times a year. Vanda orchids, for example, bloom several times a year but cattleya and cymbidium orchids only bloom once a year. My variety (Phalaenopsis) typically blooms once a year although mine has bloomed at least twice this year alone.

Once your orchid has fully bloomed, cut the stalk down to the base approximately 1 inch above the base with clean scissors or shears. Cutting the stalk tells the plant to bloom again. Many orchids can produce several blooms from the same stalk so it may be hard to tell when the blooms are completely done. If you have a variety that produces several blooms on one stalk, you can cut it back to just above a visual node or joint to help the plant produce another flower. Then, when it is completely done, cut the stalk to its base. Again, it helps to know what kind of orchid you have. Once you know this, you can better guess what its growing season is. It is completely normal for the plant to enter into a dormant period. It is also normal for it to have no dormant period, depending on the variety.

Orchids can live very long lives. You may have to repot it if it is getting quite large. If the roots are turning brown or jumping out of their container, it is likely a sign that your plant has outgrown its home. Trim away any unhealthy growth. Most orchids live 15 to 20 years so have fun, don't get discouraged and enjoy! Happy growing!