Orchids
How do I care for my orchid upon arrival?
How much water does my orchid need?
How do I care for my orchid when it is flowering?
What do I do when flowering is finished?
When will my orchid flower again?
Why does my orchid have bud drop?
Looking for more information on orchids?
Bromeliads
How do I care for my bromeliad upon arrival?
How much water does my bromeliad need?
How do I care for my bromeliad when it is flowering?
What do I do when flowering is finished?
How do I start a new bromeliad?
How do I make my bromeliad flower?
Looking for more information on bromeliads?
Upon Arrival
Unbox and unsleeve plants immediately on arrival, follow with a thorough watering. Place in moderate light, no direct sun. In greenhouses, allow 75-80% shade.
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Watering
Phalaenopsis Orchids need good moisture to preserve bloom life; keep evenly moist but not soggy or saturated.
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When Flowering
Here are some more pointers: you can feed with 20-20-20 fertilizers at a rate of one teaspoon per gallon every other watering. It is important not to let the soil dry out; evenly moist is the ideal state. Since conditions vary in each household or office, we can't say how often to water but a good checking guide would be to lift the plant daily and see if it is top heavy. The pot should feel heavy versus the rest of the plant. Water should not be dripping from the bottom, nor should it be sitting in an enclosed container holding water. The holes in the bottom of the pot are there for exactly that reason, good drainage.
If the plant seems to lose its luster, you can always mist it with the same rate of fertilizer. Only the plant, not the flowers. The misting can be done several times a day as long as you make sure there is no runoff and no standing water on the leaves.
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When Flowering Is Finished
There is a time the flowers are going to droop and fall off. This is the natural cycle of the plant. Due to different varieties, the length of time you are going to enjoy the flowers varies a lot. From a month to three if the maintenance is correct.
When all flowers are off, cut the stem two inches above the leaves. This will give the plant the chance to flower from the base and from the stem. If you cut the stem much higher, the new spike will be thinner and will not be able to support as many flowers. If you cut the stem much shorter, it will not flower from that stem, only from the base. Following the procedure described, you will give the plant the opportunity to have multiple spikes as the years go by.
The feeding in this period is stronger. The same fertilizer at the same strength but with every watering. If you lose roots, (they turn dull and lose the green tip) turn to misting daily for two weeks.
The orchid demands fresh air circulation, clean water (watch for cold and over-chlorinated tap water) and good diffused light.
This is also the time to repot the plant if needed. Remember that it is normal for the roots to hang all over the place, they are looking for moisture, air and light. If repotting, use bark in the mixture, and make it porous. Your garden center can supply orchid mixes. The only reason to repot an orchid is to freshen the orchid mix, not the size of the pot. This is a plant that needs a much smaller container then the plant itself. If you place it in a lot of soil in a huge pot, the roots are never going to find their way to the light and will rot on the way.
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When Will It Flower Again?
It will flower naturally if you have cooler nights once you cut off the spikes and the plant has had the opportunity to put on one or two new leaves. Move the plant outside in the evening or to a cooler room for the night. If your home/office is the same temperature 24 hours a day or hotter at night to save energy, you might as well buy a new plant (which is fine with us). Ideal day temperature is 77 to 86 degrees F., and at night 65 to 72 degrees F. Go back to watering and feeding described in "When Flowering".
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Why does my orchid have bud drop?
Exposure to low humidity
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Looking for more Information?
If you require more information or, as we hope, get serious with your orchid habit, a good place to look is www.orchidweb.org.
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Watering
Bromeliads require infrequent watering in indoor situations; water in lower leaves and soil only, do not allow water to stand in cup indoors as this may shorten bloom life. Water should be room temperature (min. 68 degrees F.). A little water every ten days to two weeks is usually sufficient.
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When Flowering
Our tag gives the basic instructions nevertheless, here are some more pointers: you can feed with 20-20-20 fertilizer at a rate of 1 gram per liter once a month. It is important not to let the soil dry out, evenly moist is the ideal state. Do not water in the cup, only over the soil. If your choice is to fill the cup and let it flow over into the soil then, you must keep this water fresh, replacing it every two days. Since conditions vary in each household or office, we can't say how often to water but a good checking guide would be to lift the plant daily and see if it is top heavy. The pot should feel heavy versus the rest of the plant. Water should not be dripping from the bottom, nor should it be sitting in an enclosed container holding water. The holes in the bottom of the pot are there for exactly that reason, good drainage.
If the plant seems to lose its luster, you can always mist it with the same rate of fertilizer. Only mist the plant, not the flower.
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When Flowering Is Finished
There is a time the flower will dry out. This is the natural cycle of the plant. Due to different varieties, the length of time you are going to enjoy the flowers varies a lot, from a month to three, if the maintenance is correct. Cut the stem off inside the cup when the flower dries out.
Bromeliads only flower once in a lifetime. They will keep on living for a long time without new flowers. After the flowering cycle, the mother plant will have offspring sprouting from the base of the plant which, at the proper time, will bloom.
The feeding in this period is stronger. Use the same fertilizer at the same strength but with every watering. If you lose roots, turn to misting daily for two weeks.
Bromeliads need fresh air circulation, clean water (watch for cold and over-chlorinated tap water) and good diffused light.
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Starting a New Bromeliad
No repotting is needed of the mother plant, just cut the sprouts off by the base when they are eight inches long, and plant in a well-drained mix. Mist for a few weeks so they set roots.
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Flowering
Bromeliads can be forced to flower after one year of growth. It can be accomplished by dropping into the cup a small slice of tomato, apple or any fruit. The decomposition of this fruit will release ethylene gas and induce the flowering. If the plant is older, it will flower naturally with the change of seasons.
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Looking for more Information?
If you require more information or, as we hope, get serious with your bromeliad habit, a good place to look is www.bsi.org the home page of the Bromeliad Society International.
Good luck and enjoy the colors!!
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