Revitalizing an Orchid: Insights from Experienced Plant Specialists
Revitalizing a drooping orchid isn't rocket science, but it does require some skill and know-how. If you've noticed your beloved orchid isn't looking its best, we've enlisted the help of some plant pros to provide expert advice on how to revive this finicky houseplant.
Expert Sources:
- Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University and author of "Plants Are Speaking. Are You Listening?"
- Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms, a grower of more than 1,500 plant varieties
popular houseplants, but they also have a reputation for being finicky. Under the right growing conditions, these plants can thrive for years in your home. But if you misread its lighting and watering needs, you can put stress on this plant and potentially kill it. If your orchid is struggling, whether its blooms look wilted or its leaves have spots, there are ways to bring it back to life. Ahead, we're sharing a few expert-approved methods for reviving a dying orchid.
Spotting the Problem:
Colorado State University and author of
Orchids exhibit various signs of distress, allowing you to easily identify when they need a bit of TLC. Keep an eye for:
Plants Are Speaking. Are You Listening?
- Stinky potting mix - root rot or fungal disease
- Yellowed leaves - overwatering
- Wrinkled leaves - underwatering
- Red or purple leaves - sunburn
- Spotting, leaf loss, or wilted buds - fungal, bacterial, or insect issues
Costa Farms, a grower of more than 1,500 plant varieties
Reviving Your Dying Orchid:
To bring your orchid back to life, you'll want to address its specific needs. Here are some expert-approved revival methods:
root rot or other fungal issues, trim the roots and repot the plant. "Repotting after removing any of these types of roots keeps the orchid from further spread of root rot and crown rot," Langelo says.
- Adjust Watering: Over- and underwatering are common causes of stress to orchids. Wrinkled leaves usually mean your orchid is a tiny bit starved for water, whereas yellow and drooping leaves indicate it's receiving too much. To remedy any imbalance, tweak your watering routine to better suit your orchid's needs.
- Trim Dead Roots: Regularly inspect your orchid's roots for any shriveled, dying, or dead ones. If so, trim them back with sharp scissors. If the roots exhibit signs of rot, cut the affected part and repot your orchid in a fresh medium.
- Repot at the Right Time: Timing is crucial when repotting orchids. Never repot your orchid when it's blooming; you should wait until the flowers have wilted away. Orchids don't need to be repotted to prevent them from becoming root bound. Instead, they commonly push roots up and out of the potting mix themselves, according to Costa Farms' horticulturist Justin Hancock. Repot your orchid when the potting mix starts to break down and becomes too dense.
- Soak Orchid Roots: Periodically check the roots of your orchid and soak them in water for about 10 minutes to help rehydrate and revitalize the root system.
- Increase Light Exposure: If the leaves or flowers look a bit wilted or tired, try giving your orchid a brighter spot. Orchids thrive in medium light but really love plenty of sunshine, says Hancock. To achieve this, you can make use of both natural and artificial light sources.
- Maintain Appropriate Temperature: Orchids prefer temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius) during the day, with temperatures cooling down to around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius) at night to nudge the plant into blooming.
- Maintain Optimal Humidity: Orchids require specific humidity conditions to thrive, ranging from 50 to 90 percent. Phalaenopsis orchids, for example, need 50 percent humidity, while Cattleyas flourish in a humidity range of 50 to 80 percent. To maintain the appropriate humidity levels for your orchid, you can use either a humidifier or a makeshift solution, like a cloche or a water tray.
- Identify and Treat Pests: If you notice your orchid's struggling, look for signs of pests. Common pests that can affect your orchid include mites, aphids, thrips, scale, mealybugs, and weevils. To help combat these unwanted visitors, research and apply the proper treatment to your orchid.
- Check for Diseases: If your orchid shows signs of stress, it might have contracted a disease. Some common issues for orchids include bacterial leaf spot and the tobacco mosaic virus. To prevent and fight diseases, sanitize your pruners and pot before repotting, and ensure proper watering practices.
mealybugs suck the energy out of your orchid," says Hancock. Some common pests that may affect your orchid include weevils, sowbugs, springtails, snails, scale, thrips, mealybugs, and
Caring for a Healthy Orchid:
spider mites. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to treating pest infestations, so research the type of pest to find the right treatment.
To ensure your orchid remains healthy, it's essential to understand its native environment so you can provide it with the proper care. Before purchasing an orchid, familiarize yourself with its growth habits and preferences. This information can help you avoid purchasing an orchid that may not be suitable for your environment. Once you have a better understanding of your orchid's specific needs, you can provide it with the right watering, sunlight, and temperature.
Martha Stewart provides guidance on common houseplants, including orchids, which are known for being finicky despite their popularity. If your orchid is struggling, external links from Colorado State University and Costa Farms offer expert advice on identifying and addressing issues such as root rot, overwatering, underwatering, sunburn, and fungal, bacterial, or insect problems. To revive a dying orchid, experts recommend methods like adjusting watering, trimming dead roots, repotting at the right time, and soaking orchid roots. Increasing light exposure, maintaining appropriate temperature, and humidity levels, and treating pests and diseases are also crucial for orchid care. Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, explains that pests like mealybugs can suck the energy out of orchids.