But I do love flowers, and orchids especially because they're beautiful and I can actually grow them. I once believed the myth that they were difficult to care for, and I've killed a couple despite all my best intentions, so I specifically requested to NOT receive them as gifts. Despite my protestations, however, one of my researchers gave me a beautiful orchid as a gift a couple of years ago. It didn't hold up well in my office, but this time, I was determined not to fail. I took it home, I did some online research, and I eventually coaxed new roots and blooms out of the plant. Victory!
What I've learned through trial and error:
Orchids like ice. I have underwatered and overwatered, and I can speak from experience when I say that I would err on the side of underwatering. I water this plant once a week, using three to four ice cubes.
Orchids should not sit with their roots submerged in water. I'm caring for the mini-orchid in the above photo for a friend, and it came to me in a little terracotta pot looking limp and devoid of happiness. I removed it from the pot and put it into a little glass I had on hand, and let the roots dry out completely. Then I started it on the ice regime; because it's so little, it only gets one cube of ice per week. That little new leaf? It came in under my care! /dusts off shoulders
Indirect sunlight is key! I have another orchid at work (also a gift), and I put it in a window with full sunlight. The leaves got terribly sunburned; I actually had to cut off part of a leaf.
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| I have a weird window display |
I also changed the vase so the roots wouldn't be submerged, which is really important for this orchid because I don't have ice cubes at work. Instead, I use water from my betta's tank for all of the plants in my office. (He gets clean water, the plants get fertilizer, and everyone wins!) The bigger vase ensures that the water runs through the orchid's planter without causing root rot.
Moral of the story: If I can raise orchids, so can YOU.
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