Help! My orchid is suffering from aphids. How do I get a Dendrobium to bloom again? What should I do if my Cymbidium’s leaves are drooping? Our growers are happy to answer these and other questions!

 

My orchid is pestered by mealybug or aphids

Mealybug or aphids. There are definitely beasties that are not welcome on orchids. Unfortunately, they are a common pest in many plants. Mealybugs and aphids often appear in the winter months when the humidity indoors is too dry and the pot and roots are too wet. Draughts can also contribute. Alongside the products that you can buy at garden centres, there is also a home remedy: mix green soap with methylated spirit in a 1:1 ratio and spray this on the plant. You usually need to repeat this a couple of times, because these pests are stubborn. And be careful of the flowers, because it can cause staining on them.

 

 

My orchid is drooping

Oh no! My orchid’s leaves are drooping. Don’t panic! The most common cause of this is watering. First look at the roots. If they’re nice and green, your orchid has enough water. So don’t give it any more water now. If the roots look a bit greyish, that means that your orchid is too dry. The best thing is to soak your orchid. Ideally, you should immerse your plant in a bucket of water for a few minutes (5-10 mins). Note: don’t take the plant out of its inner pot. The roots will now fill themselves with water. Leave the orchid to drain thoroughly after soaking it. Now it can go back into its cachepot. Orchids need less water in winter.

 

Don’t catch a cold!

One essential tip from the grower: when you buy an orchid, make sure that it isn’t left in the cold car too long. And make sure that the orchid is wrapped up well when you buy it in order to take it outside. Orchids don’t like the cold. It’s a good idea to bear this in mind, particularly in the winter months. The cold causes the buds to dry out more rapidly and flowers to fall from the branch. When you get it home place your orchid in a light spot, but not in direct sunlight. And don’t place an orchid directly over a radiator.

 

 

My orchid has shoots

You might find that there is a new plant growing from your orchid. You can leave the new shoot to develop as a plant in its own right. But if you don’t want to do that, you can take the gamble of cutting the plant away from the mother plant. Wait as long as possible to do this. Allow the root to develop a bit more first. You then place your new plant in a pot with orchid soil, called bark. This is available from most garden centres.

 

How do I get my orchid to flower again?

If your orchid is no longer producing any new flowers on the stem, it’s time for a trim. To get your Phalaenopsis to flower again, you need to cut the branch above the second ‘node’. These are thickenings on the branch. Start counting from the bottom. If you have a Cattleya, Cambria, Cymbidium, Dendrobrium, Miltonia, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Vanda or Zygopetalum you can also cut the entire branch off, so that a new branch can grow from a leaf joint. Once you’ve cut the branch off, put the plant away in a cool and light spot. Water once a month. After two months replace the plant in its normal spot. Now water once a week again. After about six months the plant will form new attractive long branches with stronger blooming. This varies according to the species.

 

You can find more care tips at Care tips.

You often see the phalaenopsis or dendrobium, which is not surprising because you can buy them at many shops! Yet many people don’t dare, because there is a big misconception that orchids are difficult to care for. A great pity, because it is super easy! With a little time and these 4 general tips, your orchid will last for years!

1.      Keep an eye on the sun
A phalaenopsis or dendrobium should be placed in a place where there is enough light, but avoid the bright sun, especially in the summer months.
Are the leaves turning yellow? This could be a sign of too much direct sunlight. On the other hand, dropping flower buds or dark green leaves indicate a possible lack of light.

2.     Temperature
A phalaenopsis or dendrobium does not like draughts and should not be placed near the central heating. An orchid feels best at a temperature between 20°C and 22°C.

3.     Immerse
Immerse the pot in a bucket for a minute. Allow the plant to drain thoroughly after immersing, this will allow the excess water to run off. The orchid can then easily go seven days without water.

Rainwater is better than tap water which contains (too) much lime. It is best to water early in the day. In the winter months when the heating is on, it is a good idea to spray the orchid with water regularly to ensure that the humidity does not drop too low.

No time to immerse your orchid? Pour the water on the soil in the pot, not in the heart of the plant. Always use water that is at room temperature.

4.     Nutrition
Orchid nutrition can be bought at the garden center or DIY store. A phalaenopsis or dendrobium does not need much nutrition, once a month is enough. Read the packaging carefully to see what quantities have to be given each time.

Do you have another type of orchid? Or would you like to read more tips about each orchid? Then take a look here.

Do you find it hard to wait for the next flowering period of your orchid? Extend the flowering time of your orchids by taking good care of them with the right plant food.

To keep your orchid in great shape, you only use the best care materials, of course. Pokon specialises in orchids. Not only is it easy to take care of orchid but you can also be sure that they will get the best possible nutrition and attention.

How?

Orchid potting compost:
Orchid potting compost is suitable for all types of orchids. Orchids in the wild often grow with their roots in the air, so when the roots are in the soil they can quickly turn brown or rot away. It is therefore important to have proper water management of the soil and an open soil structure.  Orchid potting compost consists of the best and highest quality raw materials such as bark chips and peat moss. And they also contain sufficient nutrition.
For more information click here.

Orchid nutrition:
Your orchid will flower even more profusely when you feed it with special orchid food. This food contains essential nutrients and a rich mix of trace elements that will keep your orchid nice and healthy. In addition, your houseplant will become strong and healthy thanks to extra humus extracts and a 100% vegetable biostimulant. This allows your orchid to absorb the nutrients better. Magnesium and iron ensure that the green colour of the leaves will be even more intense!
For more information click here.

Orchid power spray:
Power spray is a nourishing spray for orchids. By spraying the special nutrition on the orchid leaves, the plant will become visibly more vibrant. Not only will the green leaf get an extra healthy green shine, but its flowering power will also increase.
For more information click here.

For more tips and information, visit Pokon.

Photo credits:
HAY Rotterdam
Moniek Kuipers
Pantoufle design