Drooping petals

[wizard425]

A new blog entry has been added:

Drooping petals

Hello,

[orchidsamore]

Have you watered enough. Too many beginners hear that they should not over water and think this means use only a little water. Lack of consistent water will dehydrate the leaves.

Actually you should soak your plants heavy when you water and then let it dry to the required amount before watering again.

'Do not over water' should be understood to mean 'do not water too often,.

It rains for hours or even days in the wild. When the rain stops the water left is the same if you watered 20 minutes or 20 hours. All the rest runs off.

Your Phalaenopsis are the most abused by beginners. Water them very heavy and then let them almost dry out before watering again.

Miltonia can usually stay a little wetter, but they do not like high temperatures. When the temperature gets over 80 you start to see leaves looking pretty bad.

Cattleya and Dendrobium need to dry completely before a second watering.

Oncidium are more tolerant and can stay damp often and dry out as well.

Paphiopedilum should never dry completely although a short dry period will not kill the plant.

Vanda need water every day.

[kiki-do]

My guess would be that you aren't watering enough, as Jerry mentioned. I don't let them get soggy, but water more often and never let it dry out, especially when blooming. I also mist the roots that might be above the medium.... every day or every other day, depending on how hot/dry it is. Also, I keep it in medium light once it blooms. Miltonias are a little fussier than some others, but are very rewarding. Actually they seem (to me) to react almost immediately when they aren't happy. So check your light and watering. Good luck.

[wizard425]

I just love this board! Thank you so much for your wonderful tips. I was terrified of over watering....that's all I've heard or read. Once the blooms fall off, (phal and milt) will they continue to rebloom. My Milt. doesn't have any blooms currently. Most likely because their dying of thirst! I raced right over and gave them a big drink.



Thanks, Lynne

[wizard425]

Will my orchids rebloom once the original petals have died? I don't see any evidence that they will Thanks

[Amanda L]

Given the care that the others have suggested, your orchids should re-bloom the next season.

[wizard425]

Dear Orchid helpers,
I am about to give up! My leaves look good on the plants but the stems from the dropped off blooms are dead sticks. Do I cut them back? One has those shoots but it doesn't look like anything is growing in them. I think I ought to cut back the ones that are definitely dead but will wait to hear from you. Thanks! Lynne, the sad and horrible orchid grower.

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by wizard425

Dear Orchid helpers,
I am about to give up! My leaves look good on the plants but the stems from the dropped off blooms are dead sticks. Do I cut them back? One has those shoots but it doesn't look like anything is growing in them. I think I ought to cut back the ones that are definitely dead but will wait to hear from you. Thanks! Lynne, the sad and horrible orchid grower.

Hello Lynne! You are not a sad and horrible orchid grower. You may be new at this, but far from horrible!
Now, I don't know which type of orchid you are referring to, but I have a feeling you are talking about a phalaenopsis? If so, then yes, by all means, cut back the stems. Once they are not blooming anything, and have turned color from green to brown, then they are spent. Cut them. Continue your care for them, and they should rebloom for you next year.

[wizard425]

Thanks Kiki! What about the miltonia? Lynne

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by wizard425

Thanks Kiki! What about the miltonia? Lynne

Miltonia's can be treated the same, as far as spent blooms and spikes goes. Once it's bloomed and done, you can cut the spike. No more will come from that spike. On Miltonia's I cut way back on fertilizer when it's done blooming. Water the same, but less fertilizer. The leaves are sensitive to fertilizer and can turn color on you. Now I am no expert, but I grow a couple Milt's and I find the leaves look a little worn (lighter color and kind of limp sometimes) after a blooming season. But they come back, especially when the next spikes are developing. Perhaps others can give you more help.