Orchids

[glenbar]

I bought an Orchid plant today. Have never had one before, so does anyone have any tips for caring for it? It was a bargain at £3.99 but dont want to kill it. Thank you

[Buenchico]

From the RHS:
http://apps.rhs.org.u.../profile.aspx?pid=333

[Brinjal]

I am assuming it is the phalanopsis orchid. Smallish plant with long spike flower. and silvery aerial roots. They are quite easy to look after. Keep it indoors in a warm light place. Not direct sunlight. DONT OVER WATER. Water it once a week or once every two weeks depending on how hot or cold the weather is. Water it by standing the pot in a tub of water or the sink and let the water absorb through the bottom. Quite often the pots have slits in the sides to help with absorbing water. Let all excess water drain away before returning it to its place. Dont let it stand with water in the saucer and if you do water a little from the top dont wet the plant itself. You can get a plant food and feed it while it is flowering. When the flower dies cut it back to just above the last nodule you will see on the stem. It will flower from there next season. They are quite easy and rewarding. Just dont over water.

[coccinelle]

I never had success with orchids as once the flowers had gone I didn't really know what to do. Links on the internet say to do as Brinjal says and cut it to above the first nodule so did that but the plant died. Now, I do nothing. Just leave it to flower and then after a while new buds form. By the way, don't put it in a pot, the light needs to get to the roots so just leave in the transparent pot.

[sidkid]

I put mine inside a heavy clear glass 'pot' to stop the plant from toppling over - more aesthetically pleasing than just having the plastic pot on show...

[sidkid]

Also I haven't pruned the flower stem and now there are side shoots formed all along it. Needs a fair amount of the support now but the show of flowers from just one plant is fantastic....

[megfitz]

I put mine in plastic transparent ice buckets (Sainsburys last year) every 2 weeks stand in washing up bowl of tepid RAIN water for about 20 mins , then spray with orchid food spray, I use Lorbex feed and shine(from garden centre)then stand on layer of pea shingle witrh just enough filtered Rainwater to cover , in the ice bucket. I have had them several years and triming after flowering gives another flowering stem or two. In between standing I spray with filtered Rain water each week.
Bit of a faff but the results are fantastic. Good luck.