Orchids in general are easier to care for than they get credit for – especially the most popular indoor orchid, Phalaenopsis.
But there are some ways to get them happy and healthy, so they re-bloom and produce those gorgeous flowers again that you first fell in love with.
Struggling to do so, one orchid owner anonymously took to the Gardening UK Facebook page to ask whether their houseplant was “beyond saving”.
They said: “Advice please! My orchid was doing too well, it had beautiful flowers before I left for a week’s holidays, came back and the flowers were dying.
“I’ve made sure not to overwater it. Is this normal or is it beyond saving?”
Group members in the comments section claimed that the orchid isn’t dying and can be saved.
One gardening enthusiast suggested implementing a certain watering technique. They recommended keeping the orchid submerged in water.
Watering orchids enough and at the right time is something many owners struggle with and can put them off owning this houseplant.
April Wright claimed: “My orchid lives in water on the windowsill so they can take a lot of water and it constantly blooms.”
However, one gardener in the comments section claimed that this isn’t best for orchids. Marco Spadaro wrote: “Orchids don’t like constant water. Half a cup once a week is plenty. If you leave orchids in water for days the roots will rot and become full of water.
“Whilst some studies suggest it’s doable and they like it. The roots still need access to oxygen and light. So I’m unsure how reliable it is keeping orchids submerged.”
Posting a picture of her thriving and blooming orchid, April responded: “No idea but as you can see it’s been living like this for a year now very healthy plant.”
Looking closely at the photo of the orchid, not all of the roots are submerged in the water. This is important as their roots need access to oxygen and light.
April added: “Yes, some roots aren’t submerged but the roots are quite healthy and it’s been constantly blooming for a year – but thanks for that information.”
Marco found it “very impressive” that the orchid has been blooming for so long but stressed that it is important to allow the roots to breathe.
