Orchid Care

[Soph01]

Hi
I have an orchid which is in its dormant stage as the flowers are wilting and leaves aren't looking as green, which is all normal. However, the air roots have all shrivelled up and starting to break off, the roots on the top of the soil are also looking less green and starting to take a brownish tinge. Its watered once a week and kept in the right temperature but is this behaviour of roots normal?

[jamesnan]

I saw a tv programme that recommended dunking the whole pot into a jug of rainwater once a week, let it drip quickly and put it back on a saucer. This has worked for me, and my orchids are once again looking healthy and have all flowered over the past couple of months. I also use an orchid food.

[Answerprancer]

What type of orchid?
Assuming it's a phalaenopsis - "moth orchid" as they seem to be the most popular (two main leaves that are stiff like cardboard and glossy? Flowers on a long stalk that usually needs to be supported?)
These orchids tolerate shade, but not too much and flourish well in humid warm conditions eg bathrooms. If the aerial roots have all dried up that probably means you haven't been watering it regularly enough. A hand-mister is best and don't water in the evenings because that encourages mold/rot. Also, most orchids prefer rainwater or (at least) boiled kettle water that has been allowed to stand cold for a while.
I've just read back and seen that you said "soil" - if it's the orchid I've assumed it is then it should be in coarse bark or fibre, not soil.

[Tuvok]

I have an orchid that was repotted last year into orchid compost.

It didn't like it! Started wilting, leaves going soft etc.

Took it out of the compost and sat it on top.

Watered it weekly and gave it leaf feed weekly (from Poundland). Also squirted the feed at the roots.

Within the last month it started growing a lot of nice green new roots.

[Answerprancer]

...also, if the room it's in is not very humid (eg. living room) you could make it happier by putting a plastic plant tray under it filled with Hortag/Hydroton pellets which you keep wet all the time.