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Ramblings of a retiree in France
Not so Flowering Friday
I am in need of some advice. I received this orchid in November 2022 and until fairly recently had managed to keep it alive – something of a record. But recently, the wheels or rather the flowers have fdried up and allen off one by one and it now looks fit only for the scrap heap.
What should I do? Can it be revived?
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Oh dear I’m afraid I’m no help. Hope someone knows what you should do.
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Ruth, fortunately there are people who’ve kindly shared their words of wisdom.
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The flowers and stalks die off, but the leaves look good. Keep watering it and do not cut off the root-shoots that will sprout (and probably climb over the sides of the pot). Eventually, it should flower again.
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Thank you Madeline, I knew someone would know what to do.
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I hope you can figure out what’s going on and it continues to live and bloom for you.
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I’ve had helpful advice from those way more knowledgeable and it’s on a break.
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Yeah!! 😃
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That always happens to mine as well. I love orchids and some last longer than others!
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Well, mine isn’t dead, merely taking a rest!
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It is not dead, it has just finished flowering. The green leaves and the air roots look healthy. It just needs a little break now, and then it will bring forth another flower stilk. Keep it moist, but not drenched, and then it will be fine.
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Stella, thank you! Without your words of wisdom, I would’ve consigned it to the bin. I hadn’t appreciated that like all of us, it just needed a break.
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That happened to one of the orchids at my office. They were going to throw it away but luckily my coworker knew about orchids and said it was not dead and would come back to life, and she was right!
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That’s what everyone has said
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It still looks healthy, hopefully after a bit of R n R it will bloom again!
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Fingers crossed 🤞
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Orchids are much more sturdy than most people think. Your foliage looks nice and healthy, so just cut off all the dead stalks and let it have a rest. Water it really well once a week, and make sure it is sitting in loose medium, not potting soil. Orchids like this grow in the crotches of trees in accumulated debris.
Once the weather is warm, set it outside for the summer. Here in New England, it is extremely humid in summer, so they are happy and feel like home. I’m sure they will like your climate as well. Sometimes I fashion a little sling out of bird netting and place one in a tree, their favorite vacation spot!
Good luck!
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Dorothy, thank you for your great advice.
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You can cut the brown stem down, leave the green one. Water once a week with water that has stood for a day. Good luck.
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Thanks
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Normal process. Trim the brown and leave the green. It will rest and bloom again!
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Thanks Cindy
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Good advice from Cindy, never throw away a plant still very much alive.
Joanna
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Thanks Joanna
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Hello, Sheree! I had a gorgeous orchid recently, but I transferred it to the countryside at my parents’ place where it could get more light and fresh air than in my apartment.
The point is that mine did the same thing, which, believe it or not, is normal. It has done flowering, and it is now time for her to rest. I removed the wilted flowers from the stems, cut the large sticks, washed the roots, added fresh orchid soil, and replanted her. She is still green and has begun to produce buds!
They are demanding flowers, and while they are lovely, they require time and attention; nevertheless, once you get the hang of it, you’ll know how to proceed. I’m going to add a clip here for clarification; she explains it extremely well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMpf-zXqoDQ&ab_channel=MissOrchidGirl.
Thanks and have a great week ahead! 🌺
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Katherine, much appreciated, thank you
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Of course!
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Has ur flowered again? Some orchids (bigger ones like yours) only flower 1x or 2x a year. Smaller ones flower all year round. The advice you’ve been given is sound.
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No, it’s hibernating
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