Hello redditers I post here because I'm sure somebody can help me with this.
So I got this orchid like 2 moths ago and it's super important to me, I want it to live as long as it can. The issue is that I don't know if I am taking good care of it.
I put it in front of a window but not in direct light (as I read on the internet) so she mostly gets sunlight in the morning and basically the whole day (bay window). I check the roots to know if she needs water, I don't let them become white and I water it by submerging the pot in water for ~10min then I take it out and let it dry. I already cut two flowers because they had yellow spots on them (you can see what remains of them on the top right by the little white thingy that holds it). Also in the second picture you can see two flowers probably dying (idk) and I don't know what to do. I live in Brussels and the temperature outside has been between 12 and 25°C (on hot days), though in my room the temperature is usually around 20°C.
Any advice is welcome of course and also you can say hi to Wendy ! (it's her name)
Thank you all in advance ! 😀
by Nassou_1803
9 Comments
You mean that the flowers are dropping off? That’s the life cycle. They drop off and then rebloom eventually
She is just losing her flowers, it’s normal. I have 6 orchids, one lost all flowers after 2 weeks, one was blooming for a month, lost flowers and now it’s sprouting a new branch. And one I got for my birthday in January and she is still flowering! She lost only 4 flowers.
You are doing good, she is well loved! No worries
It’s not your fault. Flowers will all die eventually. It’s a normal cycle. When you won’t have any more flowers you will need to cut the spikes right where the last flower was. You will notice that the lil pocket in the spike where the flower was is open. And the rest down the pockets are still closed. Next year the new flowers will bloom from these closed “pockets”.
https://preview.redd.it/mf511k40o50f1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=981d3b7cb119ac785c1e14a4fcb2ddfc0a4c4929
Just remember. Then eventually also the spikes will die. I’ve had the same spikes for two years. Then they died. When that happened I cut the spikes all the way down as close to where they grow. You will have a new spike after a few weeks. And nee blooms. It’s a beautiful cycle that never ends 😍
If you let the roots become silver it’s fine! It’s their way to tell you they need water. I’d wait for it at least a day and then water. You don’t want to risk overwatering.
https://preview.redd.it/83b5w42mo50f1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=eb674d71323857ec8748ce9734d275405d26d1e1
Word to the wise: do some research in your plants. (: A simple “orchid care” youtube search could’ve answered this! Plantswithcrystal on socials gives great orchid care tips for every stage & rescue of orchids. <3 Best wishes moving forward!
Ask in r/orchids for more specialized advice
Orchids like light (they’re used to growing on trees), and they can go weeks (like 4-6) without water. Robert Pavlis has some good information.
It’s fine, the leaves looks great. Root system looks good, not mushy or smells bad. The flowers will do that as the others mentioned