Orchids

hey maxman....finally, someone else who is growing orchid too! I thought I was the only one here. I am also from central florida and growing here has been a challenge. I am finding that certain species do better here than others, and the species I could grow down south are not thriving here. Let me know whats wrong and maybe I can help.

i'd just like to know how to keep a potted orchid alive? i love orchids and can't keep one alive for the life of me.:angry: what's an orchid's typical life span? surely longer than a month or so?

most people over water them and it will kill them faster than anything. Also, most orchids you buy from home depot etc... are not potted right or have been in the same material for a long time stressing the orchid. The three things to remember are light, air circulation and water. Most orchids need lots of light (not direct sunlight) lots of air circulation around the roots (use a pot with lots of holes and hang outdoors in teh warmer months under a tree), and a soaking watering once every 1-2 weeks. for one orchid you can use some time released fertiziler in the pot, that should be enough as they really don't need much.

I had a potted orchid for three years, and found the best method to keep it alive was to forget about caring for it. It finally was eaten by a really big lizard.

Thanks for the tips

most people over water them and it will kill them faster than anything. Also, most orchids you buy from home depot etc... are not potted right or have been in the same material for a long time stressing the orchid. The three things to remember are light, air circulation and water. Most orchids need lots of light (not direct sunlight) lots of air circulation around the roots (use a pot with lots of holes and hang outdoors in teh warmer months under a tree), and a soaking watering once every 1-2 weeks. for one orchid you can use some time released fertiziler in the pot, that should enough as they really don't need much.

I have two of those grocery store type plants that need some help. They bloomed just fine, but now the leaves are turning yellow and drying up. I will try repotting as suggested. They did okay for a couple of years....

yellow leaves often is a sign of over-watering.

Not the only one

After I wrote the thread ,I thought to myself what a dork.I'm glad there are more orchid growers out there.Right now the problem is a phanolopsis, blooming but with dooping leaves.It may be a watering issue.Right now I've taken them all out to my covered screen porch,they can handle temps in the 50s at night. Let's keep this going, maybe a new group.

hey maxman....finally, someone else who is growing orchid too! I thought I was the only one here. I am also from central florida and growing here has been a challenge. I am finding that certain species do better here than others, and the species I could grow down south are not thriving here. Let me know whats wrong and maybe I can help.

In regards to the growing material. I found out from a retail orchid grower in Miami that they don't use bark because it rots and molds very fast. They use clay pellets or small porous rocks.My family lives in Miami and when I visit I always come back with something new. I been using that material and it works well, but it drains faster.In the winter when they come in, you have to keep them on humidity trays.

most people over water them and it will kill them faster than anything. Also, most orchids you buy from home depot etc... are not potted right or have been in the same material for a long time stressing the orchid. The three things to remember are light, air circulation and water. Most orchids need lots of light (not direct sunlight) lots of air circulation around the roots (use a pot with lots of holes and hang outdoors in teh warmer months under a tree), and a soaking watering once every 1-2 weeks. for one orchid you can use some time released fertiziler in the pot, that should be enough as they really don't need much.

My grandma often used broken clay pots in the bottom of her potted plants to help retain moister without rotting the roots. It also provided for better drainage.

Mama Scooterbug uses bark, waters sparingly, and also puts the pots on gravel in a lined planter for additional circulation.

Lots of direct light too.

After I wrote the thread ,I thought to myself what a dork.I'm glad there are more orchid growers out there.Right now the problem is a phanolopsis, blooming but with dooping leaves.It may be a watering issue.Right now I've taken them all out to my covered screen porch,they can handle temps in the 50s at night. Let's keep this going, maybe a new group.

Phals like it a little more on the moist side...you can use bark with spag moss on top to keep some moisture in and probably water more often than other porchids. Do't let them dry out completely, so maybe once a week especially if they are potted in stone or any non porous material. Do you see any roots growing out of the pot? Your roots should look fat and greenish white with green tips, Dead roots look dessicated. They also like it a little cooler, so the cool nights are good for them. If you want to post pics I can get a better look at whats going on.

Happy to have found a fellow orchid lover, I have about 150 in a small greenhouse!

I have two of those grocery store type plants that need some help. They bloomed just fine, but now the leaves are turning yellow and drying up. I will try repotting as suggested. They did okay for a couple of years....

Do you know the species name of them? Some orchids naturally lose their leaves during the winter months. You can tell if this is a natural process by lookingg at what leaves are being shed. If they are older leaves it is probably part of the natural process. if it is newer leaves it may be a more serious problem. They sometimes turn yellow from being too cold. It really depends on what species they are.

Anybody besides me read the Nero Wolfe mysteries?

(If you have read them, you will know how this pertains to orchids.)

Is anyone out there into growing orchids. If so pls let me know, I need some help.
I have several and used to the south Fl weather, but here is different.

The only time I've been successful with orchids here was when I kept a couple of them in the bathroom. They loved the steam from the shower.