I’ve never owned a real orchid until last week. I’ve used fake ones for years in our home and in client’s rooms, mainly because there are some really good-looking fake ones. And, because I have always been 99% sure that I would end up with a stick in a pretty planter, based on my gardening skills.
I picked up my first live orchid at IKEA last week for $10. I figured it was worth the investment, even if I kill it dead. For now, I have it in front of the window on my desk.
Okay, all of you green thumbs. . . How do I keep this thing alive? Give me your best advice. I need it.
I got my first orchid this year too! Surprisingly they are really easy to keep alive! Mine came with instructions to keep the roots semi-dry so I water every other day and it said no direct sunlight. So far it has been blooming away! I even have taken it with me to photo shoots!
ReplyDeleteI think a humidity tray would be good--just a pretty bowl with some river rocks and water poured into the bottom will work--but otherwise I've heard that most people kill orchids with kindness. Don't water it too much. Also make sure it's in the kind of light it prefers (full or partial sun).
ReplyDeleteNo help here, Emily! I have the 'brown arm' - but when you find out, please pass the word on! Thanks for sharing and have a great day! - Jalon
ReplyDeleteEmily, in the past I've not had much luck. But, I saw a beautiful orchid (actually two in a pot together) at Trader Joes around Valentine's Day. My hubby noticed me admiring them, and asked if I'd like one. I was a bit hesitant, like I said I'd not had much luck with them. His response, "well, even if it only last a couple weeks it is not any more expensive then me buying you two sets of flowers". He had a point. The tag that came with mine said to water it with two ice cubes (so in my case four since it was really two plants in one pot) once a week. I picked Sundays so I would remember...it is still beautiful, full of flowers and buds!! I have it placed near our french doors in our kitchen where it gets a lot of in-direct light (not bright hot sun).
ReplyDeleteHi Emily! I actually try to keep orchids around most of the time, so here are some of the tips I have learned:
ReplyDelete1) I actually think the more light the better. I have found that, when mine aren't in lots of sun, the buds on the end tend to die before blooming.
2) Water only occasionally (Jessica is right here - orchids are better off neglected!), maybe every other week. You can use the ice cube trick and just put 3 cubes in the plant and let them melt.
Hope this helps! -Rachel
I use the ice cube trick and its always worked well for me. I've had the best luck with ones from Whole Foods but for $10 I think I need to give ikea's a try!
ReplyDeleteOk, others already said it, but I'll underscore them: Ice cubes. My mom loves having orchids around. Don't let the soil get soggy. Just a couple ice cubes and let them melt. Do this maybe a couple times a week. I've not been able to get orchids to rebloom, but my late uncle was proficient at it. Maybe I'll ask my cousin...hmmm....
ReplyDeleteThis is so ironic, because i just posted the question on facebook yesterday, asking how to keep these dang things alive because i kill mine everytime!! I thought they were supposed to be easy, but apparently I suck!
ReplyDeleteI'm an orchid-a-holic and have finally learned the trick...water once a week with 3 ice cubes, not water...also, once they loose all their flowers, cute the stems down to the 2nd not, put in a dark room for a week and again, water only with ice cubs.
ReplyDeleteClaire - My mom (super green thumb) has had luck with getting orchids to re-bloom. I think the trick for her is tons of sunlight!
ReplyDelete-Rachel
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy husband got me a beautiful orchid last year for our anniversary, and I was surprisingly able to keep it alive for a bit as I do not have a green thumb either. However, I never got it to bloom again. I recently purchased another orchid to give it another shot...we'll see how I do this time. I'm also interested to see what people say for tips!
ReplyDeleteTwo ice cubes a week!
ReplyDeleteIt has already been said but DO NOT overwater. Orchids don't like wet feet. Too much water will kill them quickly! I have had some orchids for more than 15 years! I can't believe they are still living. Last summer after coming home from being away for two weeks I was shocked to find them blooming. They had been in a blazing hot sun room with no water and apparently they loved it.When I purchased those orchids at a flea market in Hawaii many years ago, the man who sold them to me said not to try to grow them in dirt. They need something that does not hold water like the bark mixture that is sold for growing orchids. I'm sure that yours came in a bark mixture but should you ever need to repot, don't use any type of soil or dirt.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear the tips as well. Always fake orchids over here.
ReplyDeleteI am an orchid serial killer, have had maybe 6 over the past 10 years and killed them all. I really did try to keep them alive, even tried the ice cube trick. I hve no luck with them. Good luck but if it dies don't feel too bad about it, they are extremely picky plants from what I've experienced. :)
ReplyDeleteI have actually been lucky enough to have an orchid plant re-bloom! I placed it on my kitchen window sill and water only 1x week - that is the key - orchids dont like to have "wet feet". After the first blooms died off, it took a couple of months, then it bloomed again!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
I can't help you - I've killed way too may orchids in my time. I'm all fake now because I'm tired of being a plant killer. ;) But I hope yours grows and stays alive! Maybe you can give me tips and some hope!
ReplyDeleteI always use the ice cube trick - one or 2 ice cubes 1x a week. Works wonders! Good to know about the $10 orchid from Ikea. thanks!
ReplyDeleteDon't water it too much,that is key and indirect lighting and it should be fine. Good luck,
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday,
Kathysue
I almost picked one up at Ikea last week too, but was afraid. I know nothing about them! All of these tips are terrific, sounds like they might be pretty easy to care for. Next time I'll get one!
ReplyDeleteOne of my green-thumbed friends gave me an orchid a year ago & I've managed to keep it alive ever since! Here are her two pieces of advice:
ReplyDelete1. Keep it in a sunny spot.
2. Water it once a week in the sink, but let it completely dry out. Orchids like dry feet.
Sometimes I only water it every other week...I'm really forgetful. So don't worry, neglect is a good thing! :)
Good luck!!
I've killed one orchid before :( My husband bought me a another one on our Anniversary in Sept, so far its doing good! I give it a rain bath once a week on the sink (light water) my blooms have falling off, but the leaves are green and getting bigger which i'm told is a good sign. Right now its in our kitchen window, which I'll move soon when spring is really here
ReplyDeleteThree ice cubes, once a week. (In case you missed the 1,387 people who already said that) I just learned this last week. Yay!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI finally started having success with orchids when I stopped fussing over them.
lots of sunlight but not direct, water every other week, let water run through plant and let it drain good.
After I started doing this I had them go dormant and rebloom which was so exciting! Good luck!
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI finally started having success with orchids when I stopped fussing over them.
lots of sunlight but not direct, water every other week, let water run through plant and let it drain good.
After I started doing this I had them go dormant and rebloom which was so exciting! Good luck!
I kill all my plants, everything! But I tell you what,I have two orchids now that I've had for close to a year, and it's the one thing I can keep alive. They are super easy. I water them maybe twice a month, if that. You only want to water them when they're bone dry. I usually run water through the peet moss and then let it soak in a sink so the water saturates it real well. They are both thriving and in full bloom. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI got one for my birthday, back in November and last week the last petal finally fell off! I barely watered it (per the instructions that came with) and that seemed to do the trick. I think I watered it maaaaybe twice a month? I'm heading to IKEA for a replacement. It's the one plant I haven't killed! :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've had my orchid for almost 3 years now and every year it comes back blooming! I put one ice cube in it every other day. After the blooms are all gone and the end turns brown, cut it to where about only an inch of brown dead stem in left, and it'll be blooming again before you know it!
ReplyDeleteThat planter is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI always water mine once a week with three ice cubes. It does the trick! You can't over water it with three ice cubes. These were the instructions that came with my orchid and it works!
ReplyDeleteAnd bright indirect light.
ReplyDeleteI have two fake ones on the living room mantle for the same reason! Please share when you learn what to do -- I'd love to give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI dont know specifically about orchids but I know my mom had flowers & other plants that always flourished & did beautifully! Her trick was a milk jug filled with water and smashed up egg shells. It smelled "interesting" but her plants and flowers NEVER suffered!
ReplyDeleteI have a black thumb so I'm useless. I always thought that orchids were really tricky to keep healthy. I'm sure someone will have good tips for you though.
ReplyDeleteI love the ice cube trick that your readers are suggesting. I managed to kill 2 last year and it definitely wasn't from kindness so I hope you get lots of great advice to share.
ReplyDeleteHere's an easy tips link that may help you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/orchid_care_tips/faq/frequently_asked_questions.html
My friends had several orchids in their living room that were beautiful. He'd come for lunch an mist them everyday.
Enjoy your beautiful orchid!
It is so pretty! I actually have never bought a real orchid before either! So you are not alone :)
ReplyDeleteApparently this is the season for $10 orchards. I just bought one for a get well gift, which shamefully I have't give yet. I figured it's a great gift and better than bringing a box of candy.
ReplyDeleteOrchids like moisture in the air. I would wait until the soil dries between waterings. A light spray of water on the leaves and petals is good too!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely water 1x a week when blooming and 1x every two weeks when it is dormant. don't overwater or let set in water. also- don't get the leaves wet- only the soil because this will cause them to rot. my orchids rebloom every year! they love afternoon sunlight in the window sill. good luck!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely water 1x a week when blooming and 1x every two weeks when it is dormant. don't overwater or let set in water. also- don't get the leaves wet- only the soil because this will cause them to rot. my orchids rebloom every year! they love afternoon sunlight in the window sill. good luck!
ReplyDeleteKeep in out of direct light and place an ice cube on the surface once a week... Nothing more! Until next year fertilize it with orchid mix. Perfect all the time!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking with a friend last week about her Mom's talent for maintaining orchids. She also commented that her Mom does the 1 ice cube a week trick.
ReplyDeleteI just killed my first orchid last week, or at least I think I killed it. Its just a stick at the moment. Lets hope it blooms again.
ReplyDeleteI hope yours stays alive and your thumb turns green.
I have not read the other comments to see if I am repeating myself.....but 3 ice cubes once a week. Just throw them on. That is pretty much it! So easy....
ReplyDeleteit's been hit or miss for me...more misses than hits! however, i've found my answer. since i can never get them to re-bloom, but CAN keep the plant alive...i purchase really nice fake flowers and stake them into the live plants. so, plant = alive & bloom = fake. shhhh, don't tell anyone!
ReplyDelete