How do I get my orchid to flower again?

We recommend cutting off the stem above the second bud. Then put your orchid in a ‘cool’ place and only give it a little water. If the plant forms buds, put the orchid back in a warmer place for it to flower again.

Once your Dendrobium has finished flowering, it’s best to cut the stems immediately so they don’t re-grow like the Phalaenopsis. You must continue to care for the plant in the same way as when the plant was flowering. It is especially important to give the plant fertiliser occasionally, as it will only start to flower again once the plant is large enough.

The Cymbidium flowers for four to six weeks. Cut off the entire branch after flowering. The Cymbidium will develop some new shoots that can produce one or more branches in the following year. The Cymbidium flowers once a year. The natural flowering period is between September and April. It is true that after flowering it can be difficult to get the Cymbidium to flower again.

My orchid’s leaves are drooping, what should I do?

The most common cause of this is watering. First look at the roots. If these are a beautiful green colour, then your orchid has enough water. Don’t water it anymore. If you see the roots are becoming a little grey, this means that your orchid is too dry. The best thing to do is to immerse your orchid in water. Preferably immerse the plant in a bucket of water for a few minutes (5-10 minutes). Please note: don’t take the plant out of its inner pot. The roots will now be saturated with water. Allow the orchid to drain well and then put it back in the pot. Orchids need less water during the winter.

The leaves of my orchid have turned completely yellow! Why does that happen?

This is usually the result of too much sunlight. They do need to be a light place, but they don’t like direct sunlight.

How often should I water my orchid?

Immerse the orchid’s root ball in water once a week for a short time (5-10 minutes). Allow the water to drain afterwards.

I have an orchid with several shoots that are still attached to the mother plant. I would like to remove these cuttings from the mother plant and put them in a separate pot. What is the best way to do this without losing the cuttings?

It is best to let these shoots grow a bit larger so that the root can develop further. You can then remove the cutting (officially called keiki) by cutting off the branch and repotting it in new soil.

Where do I buy an orchid?

Orchids are available at garden centres, florists, supermarkets and DIY stores.
The special varieties can usually be found at the high-quality florists or garden centres.

A new orchid is growing out of an old flower stem. How and when can I split and pot it?

It is best to leave the ‘new plant’ attached to the existing plant. If you remove the ‘new plant’ and plant it again, then you will not have a big chance of success. If the plant remains attached, branches can also regrow.

Is it better not to put orchids in a flowerpot because the roots also need light?

The roots do need light, but that is more important during the growing phase at the nursery and on the shop floor. When the plant is flowering at home with the customer then this is less important, so using an opaque decorative pot is no problem.

Can I repot my orchid?

Repotting Orchids is a delicate process. We always advise that the orchid should remain in the growing pot. The roots often grow partly outside the pot. The moment you remove the orchid from the pot, it is almost impossible not to damage the roots. If this happens, there is a good chance that the plant will die. You can place the growing pot in a decorative pot. You can also leave the growing pot in glass and wrap it in moss, for example. In the rare cases where the roots and the plant really start to grow, you could think of repotting, but this is not often the case.

Do you suffer from insects such as mealy bugs or aphids?

Mealy bugs or aphids. These insects that are not welcome on orchids. Unfortunately, these are a common pest for many types of plants. Bugs often appear in the winter months when the humidity in the house is too dry and the pot and roots are too wet. Draughts can also be a cause. As well as the products available at garden centres, there is a home remedy: mix green soap with methylated spirits (50:50 ratio) and spray on the plant. You may have to repeat this a few times because aphids are persistent. And be careful with the flowers because the spray can stain them.

I have mildew on my orchid, but the leaves are still nice and green and new leaves are growing. What can I do about this?

If there is mildew on the leaf, then it’s best to clean the leaf with water at 50°C.

What is the ideal temperature for an orchid?

The ideal room temperature for an orchid is between 15 and 25°C.

Where can I find out more information about my special orchid?

At orchidsinfo.eu we have information about all kinds of different orchids. Is your question not listed? Please send us a message on Facebook or Instagram, or check out the orchid care guide for more tips and information about your orchid.