Talkback: Growing orchids

Gardeners' World Web User

My 1st has been flowering since April I have 7 now I buy them when they are reduced ie Tescos /and B&Q

Gardeners' World Web User

Phaleniopsis are actually extremely rewarding plants to grow given the right TLC

Filtered light from windows with frosted glass or net curtains is vital .......bright sunlight scorches the leaves

They love the liquid produced nby wormeries

Simply water once a week in summer and once a fortnight in winter by standing the pot in wormerie liquid up to just under the rim

NEVER water from the top or allow water to get into the crown

They stand cooler temps but never below 50F

only cut nback the stalk if it clearly goes dry and brown

remove obviously dead leaves

repot every 2 years when not in flower using proper orchid compost but with a very sharp sterile stanley knife or blade remove any dead /squishy roots

good roots should be firm and green or greenish ......treat and cuts with a dusting of cinanmon

i have 20 different phalenopsis many that i have rescued from owners about to dump them and theres never a day where one is not in flower

Gardeners' World Web User

I have had one for 3 years and it has grown new flower spikes each year plus the one it already had. It blooms each year and at the moment is still blooming from buds which opened in June! It is smothered in pink flowers.

Gardeners' World Web User

I was given an Orchid last year in July, it just keeps flowering. The flowers at the top of the spike went, and then it flowered down by the leaves. Now it's flowering at the top again. All I've done is spray it with a mist of water daily, it sits by a small south facing window which gets at most a couple of hours of sunlight daily.

Gardeners' World Web User

if possible cut the flowering stem down to a node before the last flower has fallen, regrowth is then almost certain.

Gardeners' World Web User

I too get a lot of enjoyment from making an Orchid re-flower. Not only the Phaleniopsis but also the Slipper Orchid, infact my Slipper Orchid which is now in full flower has more flower then what it had when I bought it. The other advantage is what other house plant can you get that will flower for 6 months or more at a time.

Gardeners' World Web User

I have one and water once a month stand in bowl of tepid tap water and one stable spoon of tomato feed for 1or2 hrs. At the moment i have 2 stems of flowers and had flowers since we bought it 2 yrs ago. Its beautiful.

Gardeners' World Web User

Got a pressie of a moth orchid in July and apart from watering every 1-2 weeks, have ignored it- and it is still in bloom. It's sitting on my mantlepiece which gets light in from one side from my window at the front of my house and also from my patio doors. I love it!

Gardeners' World Web User

Great article. I will put my orchid in the bathroom. I had it for 3 months and the leaves seemed to be fine. Its just the flower stem is not growing! My question is. Where exactly do i cut the stem? And do i need to water the orchid or just let it grow from shower steam?

Gardeners' World Web User

Excellent timiing with this topic! I need some advice - how do I propagate a moth orchid from leaves that are growing from a flower stem? I believe it is called a keiki. So far there are two leaves, one 10cm and the other 2cm and I can see new growth developing from the centre of these two, but no aerial roots. Can I propagate from this?

Gardeners' World Web User

A trick that I am sure everyone will appreciate. Whilst the orchid is not flowering & you are left with the boring green leaves - insert a "silk" orchid spray (available from garden centres) then remove when your orchid decides to flower again. The number of people that have passed comment on mine!! On the real ones - I use rainwater (at room temperature) once per 2 weeks - letting it run through the pot/roots & then allowing to drain. Success so far!!