Orchid Plant Care: How to Revive and Care for Your Orchids by Following a Complete Guide
Orchid care represents a delicate balance between an art and a science. Because of their fragile yet exotically beautiful nature, many people have come to believe that they are indeed a challenge to care for. The simple truth, however, is that just about anybody can keep their orchids healthy, even rescue a dying plant to its full health, with the proper knowledge and a little patience.
Essential Care Tips for Orchid Plants
Before proceeding with the proper ways of reviving an orchid that has rotted, it is necessary to learn a little bit more about the very peculiar needs of these beautiful plants.
Types of Orchids
There are over 25,000 orchid species, but those you are most likely to come across include:
- Phalaenopsis Orchids – or moth orchids – are the most popular orchid, due to their long-lasting blooms and ease of care.
- Dendrobium Orchids: A bit more sensitive than Phalaenopsis, these orchids love cooler temperatures.
- Cattleya Orchids: Brightly colored, fragrant, and needing a bit more care, but well worth it.
Each type of orchid has its specific needs, but once you learn the very basics, the care process is pretty much the same regardless of the type.
The Natural Habitat and How It Affects Orchid Care
Orchids have grown naturally in tropical climates, many times using trees as their host instead of the ground. They draw moisture and nutrition through their roots from the atmosphere and decomposition material that surrounds them. That’s why the potting mix and the amount of humidity received are so critical to these plants.
How to Save a Rotting Orchid: A Step-by-Step Guide
One of the more challenging orchid-growing tasks is the resurrection of a plant that seems to have reached its last stage. Once the leaves have wrinkled and you have an aeriferous stem with a few roots, do not lose hope!
Orchid Health Assessment
Begin by inspecting the roots of this plant. Healthy orchid roots are firm, green, and of considerable thickness. If the roots are brown, mushy, or hollow, these must be removed.
Pruning the Dead Roots
Using sterilized scissors or pruning shears, cut away all damaged or rotten roots. Be gentle, yet thorough. Removing dead roots prevents further decay and gives your orchid a fighting chance to recover.
Using Cinnamon and Water Solution
Once you have pruned the dead roots, it is time for a natural antifungal treatment to prevent infections.
- First, add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon powder to 1 liter of boiled water.
- Allow it to cool, then strain out the particles of cinnamon.
- Place your orchid in this cinnamon water for 30 minutes. Besides cleaning your orchid, it will protect it from fungal diseases.
After soaking, take the remaining solution to spray your other orchids to prevent them from infestation and diseases.
Repotting the Orchid
Orchids prefer a potting mix that is well-draining and well-aerated. For ideal repotting, place the rehabilitated orchid in fresh pine bark mixed with dry pumice stone. This mixture absorbs enough moisture without retaining too much, which will minimize the possibility of the roots rotting again in the future.
Place a layer of dry moss on top to help it retain humidity but still help the air to circulate around the roots. Finally, place the orchid in a cool, bright location but out of direct sunlight until it’s been about a week.
How to Care for Orchids after Reviving Them
After you have revived your orchid successfully, it is time to work on their long-term care in maintaining its health and possibly bloom again.
Lighting and Temperature Needs
Orchids need to have very bright, diffused light. While direct sun scorches leaves, too little light prevents blooming. Most orchids prefer daytime temperatures between 65°F and 75°F, while nighttime is somewhat cooler.
If your orchid isn’t getting enough light, you’ll notice the leaves turning darker green. Too much light will cause them to become yellow.
How to Water Orchids
One of the biggest mistakes people make with orchids is overwatering. Since orchids are air plants, that is epiphytes, they do not like to sit in water. The key to having a healthy orchid is a watering schedule that emulates the natural setting of the plant. Here’s how you can do it:
- The general rule is to water once a week during the warmer months and every 10 days during the cooler months.
- Always check the potting mix first. If it’s still damp, wait before watering.
- Use room temperature water, and don’t let the water hit the leaves to avoid rot.
The Best Potting Mix for Orchids
You should never plant an orchid in regular potting soil. They must have a mix that allows air to circulate around the roots. The best potting medium would contain a mixture of:
- Pine bark
- Coconut husk chips
- Perlite
- Charcoal
This mixture will ensure that there is good drainage of water and the healthiness of the roots by preventing water from sitting around the roots for too long.
Preventing Orchid Diseases and Pests
No matter how much one may take care of his orchid plants, at times they may fall prey to diseases or pests. Early identification and treatment save your orchid plant.
Common Orchid Pests and How to Treat Them
Orchids are extremely prone to infestation by aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Here’s how to handle these unwanted guests:
- Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects suck the sap of orchid leaves. A simple solution of water and mild dish soap will wash them away.
- Mealybugs: These insects form a white cotton-like mass on the leaves. Remove these pests with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.
- Spider mites: These small arachnids deposit fine webbing on the leaves. A neem oil spray is a very good organic method of getting rid of them.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases: Prevention and Treatment
The most common fungal issue is root rot, which is generally caused by overwatering. Other fungal issues you may deal with include black rot and leaf spot. Wherever there are black spots or mushy areas on the plant, they should be removed, and the rest of the plant should be treated with a fungicide.
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Other concerns include bacterial infections, such as bacterial brown spot. This often occurs when water has been allowed to stand on the leaves for too long. Make sure there is good air circulation around your orchid and don’t wet the foliage when watering.
