Indoor Orchid Help

Mrs.McGuire

Hey gals... So I am a natural born orchid killer...Anytime one is within an arms reach of me, it dies- literally.

My supervisor is out on leave for cancer treatments and I have already killed one, and the other is hanging on for dear life. I don't know what to do, but I really need some advice so the orchid doesn't go into a deep depression, like the first one!

What's the best website for orchid care information? Specifically for watering, light, pruning, feeding, etc. Any tips you can offer is MUCH appreciated. I just feel awful about this. She adores these flowers and here I am killing them! Ugh!

Thanks in advance!

scatterbrainliz

Orchids don't need a lot of water.  Let the soil dry out before you water again and use warm water.  They also need humidity so if you could put the orchid container on a bed of marbles or stones and cover with a little bit of water.  This link is to the American Orchid Society.

Good luck!

Mrs.McGuire

Thank you so very much!

I think someone actually over watered it. And that someone wasn't me. I pulled it out of the ceramic pot and it is dripping wet. :-(

scatterbrainliz

Since you took it out of the pot, dump the extra water out that's in the container and let the orchid root ball air dry if possible then put it back in the container.  Instead of watering, you could just the mist the orchid.  Don't water the orchid for another week.  Too much water causes the roots to rot.

Mrs.McGuire

I've done as you instructed! **fingers crossed it doesn't die**

nital

orchids do far better with benign neglect than overwatering.  i often forget about mine, and don't water for a month or so, and they're fine.

Mrs.McGuire

I am learning that benign neglect is better care than excessive care! I have a "Please do not water the orchid" sign stuck to it. Hopefully that will coax the over watering fools to withhold! I swear the thing actually looks like it has perked up, but maybe it's just me.

MisN

Also, the leaves love being misted (and if the leaves go limp you are not watering enough).

I fertilize once a month.  Once it is done blooming cut back to the next node.

Good luck!