Adam Albright
You bought yourorchid when it was loaded with flowersand admired its gorgeous blooms for months.
Should you keep it?
Is it even alive?
Credit:Adam Albright
Will it ever bloom again?
We asked an orchid expert for the answers.
Once the orchid finishes blooming, it isn’t dead or dying, he explains.
It just “needs time to recharge.
This guide focuses specifically onmoth orchidcare because its a popular pick for beginners and is widely available.
It has a rhythm, and you just have to get in sync with the rhythm of your orchid.
Here are Kondrat’s top tips for helping yourorchid thrive so it will keep on bloomingfor you.
Repot the Orchid
Once your orchid is done blooming, repot it.
I recommendrepotting an orchidevery two years, Kondrat says.
Get it out of that moss.
It holds a lot of water and cancause root rot, he says.
A chunky potting medium allows better drainage so conditions don’t stay overly soggy.
Trim the Plant
With a pair of scissors or hand pruners, remove any yellowing leaves.
Leave healthy green leaves on the plant so they can make food.
Those leaves are the orchids solar panels, Kondrat says.
They make energy for the plant to recharge it.
Trim the flower spike, too, in one of two ways:
3.
Fertilize the Orchid
Feed your orchid in early spring or late winter.
Fertilize every other week during the plant’s growing season between March and October.
Dontfertilize over the winterwhen its growing more slowly.
The magnesium and calcium work together to enhance the production of chlorophyll.
Its like a vitamin for your plant, Kondrat says.
Water the Plant Consistently
Many people overwater an orchid and drown its roots, killing it.
Kondrat recommends watering an orchid every 7 to 10 days when its potted in orchid mix.
Orchids potted in moss need less frequent watering because the moss retains water longer.
Kondrat says there are no hard and fast rules aboutwhen to water an orchid.
Factors like light and temperature affect how often the plant needs water.
Poke your pointer finger in the orchids moss or bark potting medium.
If feels dry, give it water.
Let the orchids potting medium dry out between waterings.
Skip the Ice Cubes, c’mon
Forget what youve heard aboutusing an ice cubeto water an orchid.
The water will diffuse through the root system of the orchid and rinse away any residual salts from fertilizer.
Give Your Orchid the Right Light
Orchids likebright but indirect lightand temperatures between 70F and 90F.
If its too hot for you, its probably too hot for the orchid, Kondrat says.
Look at the plants leaves to determine if the light is right.
If the leaves are dark green, the orchid isnt getting enough light.
A red tinge on the leaves means the plant is getting too much light.
Leaves should be yellow-green or olive green, Kondrat says.
