Orchids are ruthless - if you make even the slightest mistake in caring for the flower, you will have to buy a new plant.
Pouring water into the rosette of leaves? Get ready for root rot. Transplanting into universal soil? The plant will suffocate without air. Putting it on a southern window? The leaves will get burned and the flowers will fall off.
The secret to salvation: water only by immersion, use bark instead of soil, and keep the pot in the shade.
Bonus: once a month, wipe the leaves with milk - this will repel ticks and restore shine.
Now let's talk about common myths associated with orchid care.
So, some gardeners advise putting ice in the pot instead of watering. This is deadly for tropical orchids.
The roots get too cold and the plant dies within a week. Water the flowers only with warm water (25-30°C).
Transparent pots seem convenient, but the roots overheat in the sun. Wrap the container in foil - this will save it from drying out.
To revive rotten roots, take the orchid out of the pot, remove the black roots with scissors. Soak the remaining ones in a fungicide solution (1 drop per liter) for 2 hours.
Plant in fresh bark and do not water for 10 days. In a month new roots will appear.
As for flowering, phalaenopsis orchids bloom only with temperature changes. At night it should be 5°C colder than during the day.
Try taking the plant out onto the balcony for a week in the fall – and it will produce an arrow.
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya