Some of the most beautiful species of orchids terrify us when their flowers, leaves and stems wither. On a lovingly tended plant, this is not a cause for concern. Read here how to properly care for a dry orchid to encourage it to bloom again.
It is normal for orchid flowers to dry up
Dry orchids rest - their care program does not
By no means all types of orchids bloom incessantly. Hybrids with bulbs in particular retreat for a while to gather fresh strength for the next flowering period. As a visible sign, the flowers, leaves and stems are drying up. With this care you guide the plants through the rest period:
- Only cut off the leaves and stems when they are completely dry
- Pluck wilted flowers or drop them on the ground
- Water sparingly
- Don't fertilize
Most orchids stop growing during the cold season. The reduced light conditions are the biggest problem in winter care. Allocate the plants the brightest possible location on the sunny windowsill. When in doubt, plant lamps compensate for the lack of light. If the room is heated and the air is dry, spray the dormant orchid with soft water at least once a week.
Repotting brings dry orchids to life
When the sun regains its strength at the end of February/beginning of March, the dormant phase for orchids is coming to an end. The change to fresh substrate now provides new impetus. Dip the root ball in soft water to soften the aerial roots. Then pot the plant and cut off all dried, dead aerial roots.
With a slight turning movement, position the root system in the culture pot and fill in the new substrate piece by piece. Water a little and give the orchid its usual location. The amount of irrigation water is increased in proportion to the progress of growth. After 6-8 weeks, the first fertilizer can be applied to mark the final end of the dry, lean resting period.
tips
If you forget to water your orchid regularly, that is by no means a reason to dispose of the dry plant. In contrast to waterlogging, the beauty of flowers from the rainforest can withstand dry conditions for some time. As soon as you notice the omission, immerse the root ball in soft, room-warm water until no more air bubbles rise.