Pixie 162 Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 No idea what forum this would belong to, but as im asking a question on a house plant, i assumed it wouldnt belong to the gardening thred... Anyways, I got a lovely deep purple orchid for easter today, It has a couple of blooms but they look rather depressed n droopy. My partner said its possibley because its from a supermarket so it may not of had natural light etc... I asked for a house plant for easter, something that would brighten up my front room.. But, iv never had a orchid before! Any help? ...Do they bloom all year or at certain times? Any advice on its care? iv seen orchids that are big, bright & full of flowers.. will mine get like that eventually? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,630 Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 I see your post has been on for a couple of days now with no response from members, you could try asking Mr G oogle, theres plenty of Orchid societies and growing tips on there, good luck they are very nice rewarding plants Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 I went on google, but couldn't seem to find anything helpful, it was all membership based sites and one that I got reading n realised it was going to tell you to buy the book! I'll have another look tonight as I don't get much time to go on the labtop etc. Even though when I got it it was looking quite droopy and sorry for itself, iv popped it on a coffee table so it has some natural light but not direct, all the droopy half open blooms are starting to rise & iv had three beautiful flowers open up! Do they flower all the year, do I need to trim them.... & will it ever need repotting? I'm ok with plants that live in soil but this seems to be in bark, I'm useless with new things lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted April 8, 2012 Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 Here you go Pixie: http://www.gardenseeker.com/orchids.htm http://www.talktalk.co.uk/home-garden/garden-advice/orchids-care.html http://houseplants.about.com/od/growingorchidsinside/a/Orchidshouse.htm http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/orchids-cultivation-and-care-153917.pdf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 I really appreciate that Stu, thankyou! I will have a read of them later on Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2012 A question as i dont understand, it says to enhance humidity to sit the orchid on a tray of moist pebbles... Now, mine is in a plastic clear pot inside of a black pot pot.. Iv popped some pebbles in the pot before putting the orchid back in after watering (in its own clear plastic pot) .. i put the pebbles in to make sure the water can drain & that the plant wasnt sitting in drained water - Would this work in the same way? i bet i sound quite dumb asking.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Many plants benefit from standing in a tray of pebbles and water. Not to have roots in the water but to be surrounded by the higher humidity produced from below by the larger area of the tray. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Wickid, thank you! Im going upto the garden centre next week to buy a proper orchid pot so i can repot after its finished flowering. I took the clear pot out to water it last night & noticed theres a large root growing through the bottom, but it seems to be too thick to push through without damaging.. that shouldnt effect the plant too much should it? iv also noticed two roots on the top thats 'escaped' from the pot.. but they turned a very pale green/white.. normal? i dont think iv ever asked so many questions about one plant before!! such beautiful ones though, i want to look after it properly so im rewarded with its beauty in the long run Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 Break/cut the pot to free the root and re-pot it into a bigger pot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 cut the pot underniethe? i will do that tomorrow.. On the net it says DO NOT report while the plant is still in flower, mine currently has one flower & around 12 buds. shall i do as the net says to do or go ahead and repot? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted April 9, 2012 Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 In that case wait. Some plants are encouraged to flower by being 'pot bound' I know nothing about orchids Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 Orchid's doing well... Nearly all the bud's have bloomed, although a few dropped off the higher branch/stem. Now i want another.. with bigger flowers, seen a couple recuded in tesco earlier.. tempted... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Orchids become an obsession! I have two types growing wild in my garden. the spotted and the northern marsh orchids. They flower in June and look beautiful amongst the grass. When you go for an orchid pot be sure to ask for potting compost fit for orchids. Take a look at this website. It gives valuable advice on potting and why clear pots are used these days: http://www.orchid.org.uk/orchidpotting.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted June 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 All flowers on my orchid have fallen off, got a couple of new leaves growing & iv had to cut away a couple of dead routes, What do i do now? cut it back and repot? I want another one, one with bigger flowers on! I do believe mine is a moth orchid? lots of little flowers, but just as beautiful Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackson 301 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 I'm sold; this orchid growing sounds fascinating - can't wait to get started. Instead of buying the weekly bunch of flowers, I'm going to plough my interest into raising orchids (question is: does this subject suit the criteria for 'Nottstalgia'?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Pixie: Joint this news group; there are some Orchid specialists posting on there. uk.rec.gardening Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pixie 162 Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Cheers compo. ill check that one out! & Jackson, Go buy yourself an orchid! I know somewhat about them, just the basics really... The range have some beautiful ones with massive flowers, im tempted to go buy my second for the bedroom! ... Iv quite addicted to keeping cactus' too, how sad am i! lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted June 7, 2012 Report Share Posted June 7, 2012 Jackson Goes under members interests, Kat's Gardening Forum Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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