FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Orchids
he American Orchid Society receives hundreds of orchid-related ques- humidity to compensate for the lack of
T tions each month in a variety of media: telephone, fax, e-mail and, yes,
even through the mail. Director of Conservation Ned Nash, who has
supporting root uptake. Last, plants with
thinner, softer foliage will generally re-
quire more water than those with harder,
answered the majority of these queries, has gathered the most frequently more succulent leaves. Plants with pseu-
encountered questions here. dobulbs (such as dendrobiums and catt-
leyas) generally need to dry out more
WHERE DO I CUT THE FLOWER SPIKE sufficient water so that it drains freely between waterings than do those without
WHEN IT IS FINISHED? through the container. Never allow any (such as phalaenopsis).
The simple answer: When most orchids potted plant to sit in its own water.
have finished blooming, the spike should DO ORCHIDS NEED TO BE FERTIL-
be cut off with a sharp, sterile blade as IZED WHILE THEY ARE IN FLOWER?
close to the base of the spike as is practi- WHAT FERTILIZER SHOULD I USE?
cal. Of all of the more commonly avail- The simple answer: Yes, if anything,
able orchids, only phalaenopsis (the moth flowering plants need extra fertilizer.
orchid) will rebloom from its old spike. Your plants will need to be fertilized with
Phalaenopsis will generally rebloom a product appropriate to the medium in
given a little extra care. The spike should which they are grown. In general, plants
be cut between the scar left by the first in a bark-based mix will need a fertilizer
flower and the last node (swollen, jointed high in nitrogen (usually in a 3-1-1 ratio),
area on the stem). One of the lower nodes while a balanced fertilizer will do for all
will then initiate a new spike that will others (usually a 1-1-1 ratio). If in doubt,
generally produce flowers within eight to fertilize with the same balanced fertilizer
12 weeks. Younger or weaker plants may you use for your other container plants.
not rebloom. It is also a good idea to cut Cattleya Orchids will do far better with too little
the spike off entirely by midsummer to fertilizer than with too much. The old
allow the plant to grow strongly to pro- Flowering plants may require more-fre- adage, “feed weakly, weekly” is appropri-
duce next year’s bloom. quent waterings to make up for the ate. Fertilize every week with a dilute
greater burden of the flowers. Plants will solution.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WATER? require less water when not in active
The simple answer: Once every four to growth (generally winter months), and WHEN SHOULD I REPOT?
seven days depending on season and dry- more while growing (generally spring and The simple answer: When fresh rooting
ness of the home. Allow the plants to summer months). Increased frequency of activity is expected (generally in the
approach dryness, gauged by pot weight watering will not make up for a poor root spring) or is very evident, generally every
or by the pencil trick (the point of a system. If roots are not plump and alive, one or two years. Fresh rooting activity is
sharpened lead pencil, when inserted into repotting may be called for, or the plant best shown by the succulent green root
the medium, will darken with moisture if may have been recently repotted by the tips on plump white roots. Often, the main
the plant has enough water), and apply vendor, in which case it will require raised flush of rooting will come from the base
Illustrations by Marion Sheehan
The American Orchid Society is the world’s The AOS BookShop and Orchid Emporium,
leading provider of information about and relat- and free admission to the International Orchid
ed to orchids. We invite you to join us and learn Center in Delray Beach, Florida, and more.
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of the plant (in the case of phalaenopsis), the best. Orchids are grown today com- and the medium is in good shape, suspect
or from the developing newest growth mercially in a variety of media, from fir underwatering, especially if the roots are
(in the case of dendrobiums and other bark to sphagnum moss to the increasingly white and the pot is very light. If, on the
orchids with pseudobulbs, such as cat- popular peat-based mixes best exemplified other hand, the roots are in poor condi-
tleyas). Orchid plants need repotting for by Pro-Mix. Watering frequency is gener- tion, suspect root loss. If the plant has no
one or a combination of two main factors: ally inversely proportional to the porosity roots, it cannot take up any water, no mat-
Potting mix breakdown, often evidenced of the medium used. In other words, the ter how much you give it. In this case, the
by dead roots, or the plant outgrowing the faster the mix drains, the more often you’ll cause may be root loss owing to overwa-
container. In the first case, a larger pot have to water. tering or medium deterioration, or a
may not be required, simply replacement recently repotted and poorly established
of the growing medium. In the second Phalaenopsis plant. The immediate solution is to raise
case, the plant may need dividing or may humidity in the plants’ vicinity to reduce
be shifted into a larger pot. Fresh media stress on whatever roots there may be,
should always be used. A good general and then deal with whether to repot or to
rule of thumb is to pot for the bottom of simply wait until the plant establishes in
the plant, the root system, and not for the the fresh medium.
top, the foliage. Freshly repotted plants
should be placed in a shady, humid area CAN I GROW ORCHIDS OUTDOORS?
until continued new root growth is The simple answer: Yes. Especially if you
observed. In general, if in doubt, pot in live in a frost-free or nearly frost-free
the spring. area, there is a wide variety of orchids
WHAT IS THE BEST ORCHID FOR that will grow and flower with light shade
WHAT IS THE BEST POTTING GROWING IN THE HOME? outdoors year round. Where winters are
MATERIAL? The simple answer: One of the most cold, orchids can be grown on the patio or
The simple answer: Best is whatever widely available orchids of the mass mar-
your vendor or source recommends and ket types is also the best for the home — Cymbidium
stocks. Orchids, in general, will grow sat- the phalaenopsis or moth orchid. Many
isfactorily in many different potting mixes homes have insufficient light levels for
if watering and fertilizing are adjusted the reflowering of most orchids. However,
appropriately. That is, if the basic require- there are a few orchids that will grow in
ments for moisture, root aeration and sup- lower light and will reflower under home-
port are accommodated, the most readily light conditions. Home-light means light
available media in your particular area are provided by a slightly shaded south win-
probably those that have proven to work dow, or an east or west window. Phalaen-
opsis will grow easily under the same
conditions enjoyed by African violets.
Another good choice, but usually only for
those already initiated into orchid appre- under trees in the warmer months when
ciation, is Paphiopedilum or the slipper frost does not threaten. This is often a
orchids. These, like phalaenopsis, have wonderful solution for orchid growers in
relatively attractive foliage, and will re- colder climates, and enables the plants to
flower in home conditions giving weeks grow so much better than they would if
of floral display. Both need to be kept left indoors all year. Growers in frost-free
evenly moist. Do not allow to fully dry areas with cooler summer nights (below
out, and fertilize regularly with a weak 60 F in August and after) can grow cym-
dilution of any available fertilizer. bidiums, one of the finest of all garden
orchids. Where summer nights are warmer,
MY ORCHID’S LEAVES ARE many varieties of vandas and cattleya
WRINKLED AND LEATHERY. WHY? types are appropriate.
The simple answer: Lack of water or
dehydration. The next step is to determine If your questions have not been answered
why the plant is not getting sufficient water. here, read the Beginner’s Care Sheets for
First, look at the roots. If they appear a the five most popular-grown genera in-
Paphiopedilum healthy white or green and are plump, cluded with your New Member Packet.
01.3