Comments on: Q&A http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=qa Basic Orchid Care for Beginners Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:46:15 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marc http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5105 Marc Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:02:33 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5105 Many orchids can bloom annually if given proper care. It will help to <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/identify/index.html" rel="nofollow">ID your orchid</a> to know its care needs. If you can't identify it, check <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/index.html" rel="nofollow">this basic orchid care info</a>. Many orchids can bloom annually if given proper care. It will help to ID your orchid to know its care needs. If you can’t identify it, check this basic orchid care info.

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5103 Carolyn Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:51 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5103 I do not know the name of my orchid. It has just finished blooming. How long does an orchid take to bloom again I do not know the name of my orchid.
It has just finished blooming.
How long does an orchid take to bloom again

]]> By: Marc http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5094 Marc Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:48:47 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5094 Removing the soft spot was a good idea in case it was <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/problems/index.html" rel="nofollow">a bacterial or fungal infection</a>. Other possible causes to examine include <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/problems/index.html" rel="nofollow">pests</a>, <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/water.html" rel="nofollow">overwatering, underwatering</a>, cold <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/water.html" rel="nofollow">water</a> on leaves, or allowing water to sit on leaves overnight. As long as it doesn't continue to happen, the orchid should be fine. Removing the soft spot was a good idea in case it was a bacterial or fungal infection. Other possible causes to examine include pests, overwatering, underwatering, cold water on leaves, or allowing water to sit on leaves overnight. As long as it doesn’t continue to happen, the orchid should be fine.

]]> By: Judi http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5087 Judi Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:06:48 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5087 My phal developed a small mushy spot on one leaf. All the others appear healthy. I cut off the soft spot. What caused this and what do I do about it. thanks for your help. Judi My phal developed a small mushy spot on one leaf. All the others appear healthy. I cut off the soft spot. What caused this and what do I do about it.
thanks for your help.
Judi

]]> By: Marc http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5085 Marc Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:37:34 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5085 Check basic care info for <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/identify/orchids/phalaenopsis.html" rel="nofollow">Phals</a> and <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/identify/orchids/cymbidium.html" rel="nofollow">Cymbidiums</a>. Like many orchids, Phals may not appear to be growing for several months at a time. If it's been less than a year, it may only require some more patience. If you believe the orchid is in declining health, common causes include <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/water.html" rel="nofollow">overwatering, underwatering</a>, or low <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/light.html" rel="nofollow">light</a>. Cymbidiums do need bright light, and one hour of good light per day may not be enough. Increase hours of light so that leaves are light green, not dark green. Black leaf tips may also be caused by <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/humidity.html" rel="nofollow">low humidity or poor air movement</a>. Check basic care info for Phals and Cymbidiums. Like many orchids, Phals may not appear to be growing for several months at a time. If it’s been less than a year, it may only require some more patience. If you believe the orchid is in declining health, common causes include overwatering, underwatering, or low light.

Cymbidiums do need bright light, and one hour of good light per day may not be enough. Increase hours of light so that leaves are light green, not dark green. Black leaf tips may also be caused by low humidity or poor air movement.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5076 Jennifer Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:34:10 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5076 I have two questions for you. First I have a phal that I purchased about 8 months ago while it was in bloom. After the flowers died I cut back the flower spike and I've tried to keep its environment as stable as possible. There is a little shriveling on the leaves and I haven't seen any growth of new leaves or anything yet. I'm afraid it's slowly dying. The roots seem healthy but it isnt firm in the pot. Maybe i didn't pack the media tightly enough when i repotted it? Any advice for what I need to do to keep it healthy and hopefully bloom again? Second question. I just bought a new cym. It is in bloom right now. From what I have read it needs bright light. Our house doesn't get very direct light so we got a plant light and I have been turning that on for about an hour every afternoon. The leaves and flowers look firm and healthy but I noticed tonight that the tips of the leaves are turning black. From what I've read it sounds like this is from salt buildup? I've only had it for three days so I can't believe my water would be that bad to affect it so quickly. Any suggestions? I'm trying desperately to keep these alive and propering but starting to get worried for both of them. I have two questions for you. First I have a phal that I purchased about 8 months ago while it was in bloom. After the flowers died I cut back the flower spike and I’ve tried to keep its environment as stable as possible. There is a little shriveling on the leaves and I haven’t seen any growth of new leaves or anything yet. I’m afraid it’s slowly dying. The roots seem healthy but it isnt firm in the pot. Maybe i didn’t pack the media tightly enough when i repotted it? Any advice for what I need to do to keep it healthy and hopefully bloom again?

Second question. I just bought a new cym. It is in bloom right now. From what I have read it needs bright light. Our house doesn’t get very direct light so we got a plant light and I have been turning that on for about an hour every afternoon. The leaves and flowers look firm and healthy but I noticed tonight that the tips of the leaves are turning black. From what I’ve read it sounds like this is from salt buildup? I’ve only had it for three days so I can’t believe my water would be that bad to affect it so quickly. Any suggestions? I’m trying desperately to keep these alive and propering but starting to get worried for both of them.

]]> By: Marc http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5084 Marc Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:00:20 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5084 If your <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/identify/orchids/phalaenopsis.html" rel="nofollow">Phal</a> has enough energy to try to bloom, it's probably not a <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/fertilizer.html" rel="nofollow">fertilizer</a> problem. Likely culprits include cold <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/temperature.html" rel="nofollow">temps</a>, <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/problems/index.html" rel="nofollow">pests</a>, or <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/details/humidity.html" rel="nofollow">dry air</a>. If your Phal has enough energy to try to bloom, it’s probably not a fertilizer problem. Likely culprits include cold temps, pests, or dry air.

]]> By: Sam http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5075 Sam Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:46:56 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5075 My Phal has started to rebloom. However the buds turn yellow and drop off. They are in a nice light window. I thought I had kept them watered evenly. I have however neglected to fertilize them routinely. Otherwise they appear happy and healthy. Why are the buds falling off before they bloom? My Phal has started to rebloom. However the buds turn yellow and drop off. They are in a nice light window. I thought I had kept them watered evenly. I have however neglected to fertilize them routinely. Otherwise they appear happy and healthy. Why are the buds falling off before they bloom?

]]> By: Marc http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5071 Marc Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:45 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5071 Yes, your orchids are done blooming. It will help <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/identify/index.html" rel="nofollow">to identify what kind you have </a>to best learn to how to care for them. If you can't ID them, follow <a href="http://www.aboutorchids.com/care/index.html" rel="nofollow">this basic orchid care info</a>. Yes, your orchids are done blooming. It will help to identify what kind you have to best learn to how to care for them. If you can’t ID them, follow this basic orchid care info.

]]> By: Mimi http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/2010/06/09/qa/comment-page-5/#comment-5068 Mimi Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:02:02 +0000 http://www.aboutorchids.com/blog/?p=3761#comment-5068 I have 2 orchids and all of the flowers have fallen off the stem does this meann it is done blooming I have had themn for about 3 months now and also what do I do now that it no longer has flowers to ensure they coninue to bloom next time it is ready? I have 2 orchids and all of the flowers have fallen off the stem does this meann it is done blooming I have had themn for about 3 months now and also what do I do now that it no longer has flowers to ensure they coninue to bloom next time it is ready?

]]>