Do you water orchids from the top or bottom?

Do you water orchids from the top or bottom?

You can't properly water an orchid unless it has holes through which the water can drain. Water sitting in the pot will cause the roots to rot, so it needs to be able to drain through the bottom.

How long do orchid blooms last?

How long your orchid flowers last, greatly depends on the variety of orchid as well as the care that the blooms receive. Phalaenopsis orchids, one of the most popular types, normally bloom 1-2 times a year and the blooms can last anywhere from 60-120 days.

How long does an orchid live?

With good care and regular maintenance, an orchid plant may live for a lifetime — 100 years, or more.

Are banana skins good for orchids?

Banana peels provide a natural way to give your orchids potassium, potash, phosphorous, nitrogen and magnesium, although not in huge quantities. They work similar to a slow-release fertilizer when added to the soil in solid form.

Do orchids like sun?

These plants thrive in strong light, but direct sunlight can burn orchids. Bright, indirect light from an eastern or southern window is ideal. Leaf color is a good indicator of the amount of light an orchid is getting: Bright green leaves indicate a happy, healthy plant.

Are orchid roots supposed to be exposed?

If you ever notice some of your orchid's roots beginning to grow or loop above the surface of the growing medium, you have air roots. They're also known as aerial roots and can be a little daunting at first. You may worry that your orchid has become pot-bound and is in need of repotting. This is a common error.

How do you care for orchids after they bloom?

After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.

How often should orchids bloom?

Many orchids bloom once per year, some twice or even more. Once in bloom some flowers last weeks or months while others can last only days. Some basic research about the type of orchid will identify what to expect. For example, Phalaenopsis orchids usually bloom once per year and the blooms can last for months.

How long can orchids go without water?

Orchids – Do They Need Water? This orchid was not watered for almost 7 weeks. Over that time it slowly lost water, which can be seen by the wrinkling in the leaves, but it did not undergo extreme stress. Clearly, you can leave an orchid for a couple of months without watering and it will survive.

Should I mist my orchid?

You may also want to mist the orchid with a spray bottle daily. Misting gives the orchid more humidity but does not create a soggy root environment. It is best to put your orchid where it will receive medium indirect sunlight. A fact many beginners do not know is that orchids need a period of dark each night.

How do you take care of an orchid for beginners?

In homes with low humidity, air roots can turn yellow and shrivel. Should this occur, wait until your orchid stops blooming, then use a sterile knife or scissors to cut away the shriveled roots. There's also the chance your plant is outgrowing your pot. If you need to repot your plant, here's an easy way to learn how.

How often should you water an orchid in bark?

Phalaenopsis orchids in bark get watered every 7 days & those planted in moss get watered every 12 to 14 days. Some of the popular ways to top dress orchids are moss, bark, pebbles and glass chips. Any of these will make your orchid dry out a bit slower.

How long do phalaenopsis orchids last?

Commonly referred to as the "moth orchid," Phalaenopsis are one of the longest blooming orchid genera, producing flowers that last from 2 to 6 months before dropping. Phalaenopsis have also been known to bloom 2 to 3 times per year once they have reached a mature size.

What to feed orchids to bloom?

Experienced orchid growers fertilize their orchids weakly, weekly. Orchids need to be fed regularly. Growers suggest using a "balanced" fertilizer such as 20-20-20 that includes all "necessary trace elements." Regardless of the fertilizer formulation you choose to use, it should contain little or no urea.