Their unorthodox lifestyle as epiphytes does not imply that orchids will give up at the first problem. For example, dry shoots and leaves do not signal that the rainforest beauty has died. You can find out when an orchid is actually dead here.
It is often not clear whether the orchid is really dead or can still be saved
How to recognize a lifeless orchid
A single rotted leaf or dried flower stalk does not necessarily mean the orchid is dead. Rather, it is a combination of symptoms that leave no doubt that a plant is no longer alive. You should pay attention to this:
- The leaves have either all fallen off or yellowed
- Flower stalks and pseudobulbs have dried up to the base
- All aerial roots are discolored brown, softened or dried out
As long as you can deny one of these points, there is still hope of renewed budding and subsequent flowering. Thus, before or after flowering, Dendrobium orchids shed all their leaves, while the pseudobulbs remain green and later bud again. It is normal on Phalaenopsis for flower stalks to die off to make room for the next shoot. In any case, the network of aerial roots is constantly becoming and passing away.
Bringing a seemingly dead orchid to life - this is how it works
If an orchid still has green components, do not throw the plant away. With a little luck, you can breathe new life into the tropical flower with the following care program:
- Relocate to a bright, cooler spot with temperatures 5 degrees lower than normal
- Cut off all dead leaves, shoots and bulbs
- Water sparingly and spray once a week
If you now pot the orchid around a fresh substrate, this measure will have a vitalizing effect on growth. Take this opportunity to cut off any dried-up, brown aerial roots once you have potted the plant. It is important to note that you should never cut off green parts of an orchid.
tips
Don't buy orchids that are in bloom. Instead, opt for a Phalaenopsis with a few flowers and numerous buds. Properly cared for, you will be able to enjoy the opulent tropical blooms for longer thanks to this prudence.