Orchids
Last October I purchased two live orchids from Pottery Barn. I ordered two plants, thinking it would increase my chance of success. The plants bloomed for almost two months and I was thrilled, but of course eventually the blooms died and I was left with two plants to care for. The Pottery Barn website gives detailed instructions on how to care for your orchids, and I was surprised to read that the best care is a bit of neglect. “Water: Water lightly every 20–30 days, if needed. Best if allowed to almost dry out between watering. Check the medium with your finger; if you feel moisture, do not water. ”
I walked past these plants many times with water, but I didn’t give into the urge to saturate their little roots. It was hard to ignore these plants and I had to keep telling myself “do not water”. When I finally watered them I limited it to one cup for each. Never in a million years did I think they would re-bloom, but look at my orchids now!
Both plants have double stems filled with flowers! If you love orchids but don’t have good luck with them, try following the instructions from Pottery Barn. My orchids are staying right where they are because they seem to be very happy. I’m not moving them and once they drop their flowers I’ll be ignoring them again. I have high hopes for these orchids!
Anne
8 Comments
Barb haakonson
Hi, every time I think about watering my orchid, I just use an ice cube. I received an orchid and this info from granddaughter Ashley. I mostly neglect it.
mimi'sdarlins
Anne, I started growing orchids about nine yrs ago, with trepidation, but found them to be so rewarding, I wouldn’t be without them! I’m continually surprised at how many times a year they will bloom. I have one just like yours happily flowering since early March.
I find phalaenopsis to be the easiest to keep reblooming, some of the more exotic varieties not so much.
kathleen Solomi
I have 2 plants sleeping at present
Congratulations , they don’t always oblige with a second flowering
Mary Jane
Isn’t it great fun to have one rebloom! We received one for Christmas two years ago and when it finished it was moved to our bathroom and since it has rebloomed twice (it is into it’s second bloom). Obviously it likes the humidity and the indirect light. Congratulations on your success.
Pat
My girlfriend has orchids and she puts 3 ice cubes on the plant every week and that is it and her orchids are beautiful. Your orchids are beautiful. Maybe it is finally my time to buy myself one.
Katherine Schaffer
Anne –
Your orchids are just lovely; so glad you were able to get them to bloom again! But as always, you are quick to share some helpful tips with those of us out here in “Bunnyland”, whether it be on quilting, working with felt, embroidery … and now.. indoor gardening! You’re a sweetie and deserve those new bloom!
Jenni
My boss has hundreds of orchids in her backyard hanging along her fence. No lie…hundreds. She will give me a few now and then due to lack of room. She has taught me to give them 5 ice cubes a week and leave it at that. It works! That is all you have to do. 5 ice cubes a week.
Paula
Very pretty. Orchids are one of the few plants that thrive in my house, because all my plants either thrive on neglect or die.