Orchids are perennial tropical flowers that are easy to grow indoors. The orchid family is the most varied and richest. It has nearly 25,000 species. The best known and commercialized variety is the phalaenopsis orchid, also called the butterfly orchid because of the shape of its flowers. Although easy to care for, an orchid can wilt if not properly cared for. However, it is still possible to save it. Find out how to revive a dying orchid.
The orchid is a tropical plant that appreciates light and humidity. Although it is easy to care for, this flowering plant can die from lack of water or overwatering. In both cases, it is possible to revive your plant in just a few minutes.
How to save a dying orchid?
Before trying to save your orchid, it is important to define the origin of the problem. To do this, check the appearance of your plant. If the roots are rotting, it means you have overwatered your orchid. If, on the other hand, its petals fall or its leaves turn yellow, this means that your plant is dry. After determining the cause of the problem, prune the plant to remove damaged parts such as dry stems at the base and faded flowers.
- Saving a dried up orchid
If your orchid is dried out due to insufficient watering or direct exposure to sunlight, you can save it by watering it thoroughly. To do this, place your potted plant in a basin of water, so that the roots are completely submerged, for about 10 minutes. This way, the roots and soil will be refreshed again. Then remove the pot from the basin and let it drain.
- Saving an orchid from overwatering
To save your orchid from overwatering, first let the potting soil dry, then check the appearance of the roots, looking for rotten roots. These are soft, brown and can give off a bad smell. Rotten roots may subsequently turn white and then die. To revive your plant, remove it from the pot and remove the soil clinging to the roots. Using disinfected pruning shears, cut off diseased roots at the base, to prevent rot from affecting the rest of the plant. Then repot your orchid in a new pot, using pine bark-based soil to promote drainage. It is recommended to choose a pot that contains drainage holes so that excess water can drain away after each watering. Dip your potted houseplant in a basin of water to ease the shock of repotting.
How to successfully grow an orchid?
The orchid is a tropical plant that appreciates humidity. That said, don’t keep your plant near heat sources that dry out the surrounding air like the radiator. You can also mist the foliage once a day to maintain a humid atmosphere around the plant. Also, this flowering plant appreciates light, but fears heat. Choose partial shade for your plant. To successfully grow your orchid, it is important to pay attention to watering your plant. As a general rule, the orchid should be watered once a week during spring and summer, and once every two weeks during fall and winter. Moreover, when the orchid enters a dormant period, it is important to space out the waterings.
However, it is preferable, before watering your plant, to check the condition of the soil. If it is still damp, there is no need to water it. Wait until it is drier to do this. Note that orchids appreciate non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or filtered water. You should also water your tropical orchids with water at room temperature, so as not to damage their root system, and be sure to remove stagnant water from the saucer or planter.
To avoid excess humidity that could kill your orchid, consider placing clay balls at the bottom of the pot to promote drainage. It is best to use a transparent pot to allow the roots to catch the light. It will thus be possible to regularly check the condition of the roots, in order to define the needs of your plant.
To encourage the growth and flowering of your orchid, you can fertilize it using a special orchid fertilizer, without overdose. This must also be sufficiently diluted. Choose a nitrogen fertilizer during leaf growth, and a fertilizer rich in potassium during flowering. Indeed, nitrogen promotes the development of the green parts of the plant such as stems and leaves, while phosphorus stimulates the formation of seeds and flowers. It is therefore important to alternate between the two.
Thanks to these simple actions, you will save your dying orchid and once again enjoy beautiful flowering to brighten up your interior.
