I got an orchid...now what do i do?

[cali baker]

My realtor presented me with this beautiful orchid arrangement yesterday. I love it but i don't know how to care for it so that the orchid will last awhile. Can anyone here give me some tips? i believe sunlight is necessary...but that's really all i know. I wanted to ask here b4 googling this. Thanks to all my friends with green thumbs!

 

[Lucy-licious]

All I can say is don't take any advise from me cos I kill all things plantlike!!

 

[cali baker]

Me too Angie!!

hey, I thought [MENTION=1034]BruceP[/MENTION] had a green thumb? i recall Bruce and Lari's yard to be very lovely.

 

[BruceP]

Boy, did YOU think wrong!!! I'm just the common labor and do whatever Im told to do by 'she who must be obeyed'.

Lari says to put 2-3 ice cubes in the pot, once a week. It will flower about once a year... maybe twice.

 

[cali baker]

that's it?! i can handle that!
you guys are too cool, thanks [MENTION=983]LariP[/MENTION] (oh , and Bruce too)

 

[LariP]

Henny, I have several orchids. The important thing is that the roots never stand in water. That will rot them and kill the plant faster than anything. That's why the ice cubes work. When the flowers all die and drop off the stem will likely stay green. Buy a Fake Orchid flower and attach it to that stem with the little clips that are likely already there attaching the stem to a support post....that's what I do with mine between when they flower.
If the stem turns brown then cut it off, and it'll put out new stems other years, but if it stays green it will get more flowers on it next year.

 

[cali baker]

thank-you, Lari. I am so determined to not let this thing die!!

 

[heff101]

View attachment 16636

My realtor presented me with this beautiful orchid arrangement yesterday. I love it but i don't know how to care for it so that the orchid will last awhile. Can anyone here give me some tips? i believe sunlight is necessary...but that's really all i know. I wanted to ask here b4 googling this. Thanks to all my friends with green thumbs!

Wait for it to die then go buy another one!

 

[Sarah]

Sounds like [MENTION=983]LariP[/MENTION] has this one covered. Thanks goodness. Before we got Brooke people told us to get a plant to see how well we could care for something. We got a bamboo plant which is supposed to be unkillable...Well it can be killed. haha It's a good thing Brooke is a lot more fun and adorable than a plant I guess.

 

[Bella'sMom]

being in Florida I actually have my hanging outside in a shady area. I just make sure I soak them well about once a week. Just run the hose over them. They are in baskets so they drain real well. I have never had to feed them, but we also have perfect conditions. In the freeze times I bring them in, if they need to be in for a long time, I will just run water through them from the kitchen spout. Different orchids bloom at different rates. I have a couple that constantly bloom. Some that are once a year and some that are about every 3-4 months.

it looks like you have what they call a Moth orchid, they will keep there blooms for a long time and will bloom a couple times a year. No direct sunlight.

 

[cowsmom]

im not to good with plants either

 

[Alice Kable]

My thumbs are brown, too!

 

[laurendoodler]

It is beautiful!!

I can't keep plants alive, lol. Ever. My boyfriend bought me fake flowers so I wouldn't kill them!

 

[Vicaroo1000]

My suggestion: enjoy it while you can and toss it when it goes belly up. I've profoundly green thumbs - but I can't keep an orchid alive.

<== driveway pots for proof of green thumbs LOL

 

[cali baker]

Very pretty, [MENTION=2614]Vicaroo1000[/MENTION] !