The first time I unpotted an orchid, I was quite taken back by how different the roots looked like compared to the roots of ‘normal’ houseplants. Because most orchids are ‘air plants’, plants that grow on trees, etc., that’s what their roots are; different. Therefore they have their own needs and behavior. I will cover […]
How to cut back the orchid flower spike
Let’s be honest, it’s the flowers in Phalaenopsis orchids that make us love these plants so much. Or at least that’s how we get into them in the first place! Of course with time we learn there’s more to these orchids than just the flowers; the leaves and roots have a life of their own, […]
What should I feed my orchids?
As I first discovered orchids, I never thought about fertilizing my plants. And whenever I started to investigate it, I was put off by the sheer complexity of it. Let’s just put it like this; chemistry wasn’t my ‘thing’ at school – all the chemical formulas would only make my head spin! 😵 But as […]
What soil to use for orchids?
Orchids require a different type of potting medium than what our typical houseplants do. This is because orchids are epiphytes aka ‘air plants’ – plants that live on the surface of other plants, trees, and even rocks. Typical houseplants are terrestrial plants; plants that grow from the ground. They are therefore potted in normal potting […]
How to save orchid flowers
Many first-time orchid owners panic when they see the flowers whither or the flower spike starting to turn yellow. “Help, my orchid is dying!” – Well, I have good news for you; your orchid isn’t dying. What’s happening is totally natural. Flower spikes aren’t your orchid – your orchid is the leaves, crown, stem, and […]
How to water an orchid
I still remember when I brought my first orchid home; a white phalaenopsis orchid rescued from a dumpster. I had no idea how to water it. And as I started to look into it, I felt overwhelmed and discouraged. For a moment, I thought maybe orchids aren’t for me, as I don’t like plants that […]
Why are my orchid’s leaves drooping?
Drooping orchid leaves is an issue every orchid enthusiast has encountered at some point in time. Maybe it’s your very first orchid that is now showing these signs after a few months of purchase. Or perhaps you couldn’t resist that sad looking orchid on the clearance table, calling your name to be rescued? Or maybe […]
Why are my orchid’s leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves is something all new orchid keepers will experience, sooner or later. It can be upsetting when experienced for the first time, as people don’t know what’s causing it – fearing for the worst! Therefore questions about leaves turning yellow get asked a lot. And they’re good questions to ask! Leaf yellowing is inevitable […]
How to look after an orchid house plant
In recent years Phalaenopsis orchids, and orchids in general, have grown in popularity as indoor plants. They used to be harder to find and more expensive, but are widely available and affordable these days. Phalaenopsis orchids have become the plant to give on anniversaries, Mother’s Day, birthdays, and even Christmas. But many people are left […]
How to Repot an Orchid: Step-by-Step Guide
Repotting an orchid is slightly different to repotting a ‘normal’ houseplant. This is because most orchids are epiphytes, ‘air plants’, growing up high holding on to trees etc. ‘Normal’ houseplants are terrestrial plants, which means they grow from the ground. For a plant to grow from the ground or in the air, requires a different […]
