Orchids

Hi, I have just joined this forum, in the hopes that I will learn to be green fingered!!
My first question is, I have lots of lovely orchids bought from Supermarkets, but after about 8 weeks they all take on to die! How can I revive them? I have tried putting them in a cold dark place, but nothing happened. The only thing that works is if I give them to my mother and she puts them in her kitchen window, and ignores them. Then they always flower again. but, I am fed up of this! Can anybody help me?? Thanks :confused:

 

Hi SAS and welcome. I don't know about orchids but from what you say, why don't you put them in your kitchen window and ignore them? :D

 

Hi SAS and a warm welcome from me too. I think that Blackthorn is right, do as your mother does and you'll probably have the loveliest orchids again!

 

Ola SAS and welcome to GC. I think dendrobium may be able to assist you here.

I have one orchid here which bloomed beautifully the year before last in the Autumn. Then last Autumn I got flower stems and next thing I knew they were dead as a dodo! so obviously I would be of no assistance to you!

This year I have lots of new shoots and the plant looks healthy so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, enjoy the site!

 

Wouldn't count on it, LoL! I've only got one, a dendrobium, surprisingly enough :rolleyes: and I pretty much do what your Mum does, SAS - sorry - except that it's a west-facing front room window mine's in....

 

Aha, now that is a coincidence, because I think my mothers window is west facing too! And of course, I dont really have a west facing window! Thank you all thought, I shall persevere!

 

interesting........ let us know how it goes, SAS!

 

Welcome SAS - if its any help. I've been growing three types of orchid for the last three years, and all have produced flower spikes the following year.

They are grown out of direct sunlight but on light window sills (kitchen and landing). All are in either orchid compost, or in one case the sellers medium, a kinda bark. Watering is kept low- they really don't like overwatering, and feeding with orchid food about every two -three weeks.

Hope that helps.

 

Hi SAS welcome to gardeners corner

 

Hi SAS and welcome to Gardeners Corner.If you have brought Orchids from supermarkets then I think they are probably the Phalenopsis type probably in a clear plastic flowerpot.What you need to do is firstly buy your self some proper Orchid Compost which will ahve bark material included.You then need to tip out your Orchid from it's pot onto probably a sheet of news paper and check the roots.If they are fat and healthy looking then they are ok but any that have whithered will have to be cut off as close to the main plant,as they are dead and too far gone.Hopefully you will be left with some healthy roots.You need to repot the Orchid back into the same flower pot with the new Orchid compost,making sure you do not break off any of the good roots.Water with warm water,then you can leave to drain before siting them on the West facing window sill.Keep checking from time to time on the water situation.They like to be in cool conditions but not a freezing cold room.In time if they are happy with their conditions,then they will begin to flower.Just don't drown them,or burn them in hot conditions..Good Luck

 

Hi SAS and welcome to GC.