A mild dishwashing detergent can serve as an effective treatment for aphids and other pests. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with a half gallon of water. Pour into a clean spray bottle.
For mites, aphids, mealybugs and other insects, a gentle brush or jet of water can kill and dislodge them from plants. Regularly washing the foliage thoroughly with soapy water, wiping every leaf and rinsing with a sink sprayer is one way to bring populations down.
Oil Spray: Mix 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo in 1 gallon of water. This can also be mixed with 1 cup of alcohol to help penetrate the orchid insect's shell. Shake well before and during application. Spray every five to seven days as needed, covering both sides of the foliage.
The easiest way is to soak your orchid in a bowl of water once every week or two --- when the moss dries out. Unlike most houseplants, you don't need to keep orchid moss evenly moist; if it stays too moist, the orchid can rot.
You may also want to mist the orchid with a spray bottle daily. Misting gives the orchid more humidity but does not create a soggy root environment. It is best to put your orchid where it will receive medium indirect sunlight.
While each growing environment is unique, and watering habits vary from person to person, it is generally a good idea to water about once per 7-10 days, when the mix gets dry. Too much watering leads to root rot, crown rot and other over watering problems like fungus gnat infestations.
To get a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in an area with a lower room temp — about 55–65°F at night should do it. Placing your orchid in a window away from the heater might work, too. We've had best success getting new flower spikes in winter, when our homes and their windows aren't as warm.
Yes, because Seasol is virtually phosphorous-free it is safe to use on phosphorous sensitive native plants. You can use it on every type of plant in the garden.
Since most epithetic orchids prefer to have water around 5.5 to 6.5, this is an extreme acidic overload. Terrestrial orchid will near die if you offer them diluted vinegar, since their pH preference is more alkaline, around 7.5.
For this reason, some orchid owners use olive oil in conjunction with lemon juice. After wiping off the orchid leaves with lemon juice, you can drop a tiny amount of olive oil on a cloth or paper towel and use it to buff your leaves until they shine.
Soapy wash water from dishes or laundry will help keep plants alive in an emergency, but you should be aware of certain possible problems. Chlorine. Bleaches commonly contain chlorine, which can damage plants, particularly if it touches the foliage.
Soak for about 10 minutes to saturate. Allow the water to drain out completely; orchids like a good soak but don't tolerate sitting in water. Uneven watering will result in shallow or uneven root growth. After you have watered your orchid, feel the weight of the container; it will be heavy.
Of all of the more commonly available orchids, only Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid) will re-bloom from its old spike. Phalaenopsis will generally re-bloom given a little extra care.
Your orchid has tightly tangled roots.
This is a surefire sign your orchid needs to be repotted. Give plants breathing room by placing it in a larger pot every year or two with fresh potting soil.
After a period of rest, the plant will send out a new flower stalk, which may come from the existing stalk or from new leaves at the base of the plant. Give the old flower stalk a chance to rebloom; there is nothing to lose. Take a close look at the old flower stalk.
What About Watering Orchids In Bloom? Regularly water orchids that are blooming, growing new roots, or new leaves. While some orchids such as Cattleyas and Dendrobiums like to dry out between watering, others such as Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilums like to remain evenly moist.
Overall, the most common reason that orchids fail to bloom is insufficient light. The Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum orchids are usually happy with the filtered light in a windowsill but many other varieties need more light than that.
Like all plants, orchids require sufficient light in order to produce flowers. Insufficient light is the most common cause of failure to re-bloom your orchid. Leaf color indicates if the amount of light is adequate. The lush, rich, dark green of most houseplants is not desirable in orchid leaves.
Water Weekly
Just because your orchid no longer has its blooms doesn't mean you should stop watering it. Continue to water your orchid with three ice cubes (one ice cube for orchid minis) on the usual day each week.
An orchid with yellowing leaves may have been exposed to direct sunlight. You may actually see a white patch with dark brown spots surrounded by yellow. Orchid Plant Care Tip: Although this tropical plant loves light, it prefers indirect sunlight.
It is well known that orchids are shade loving plants and you shouldn't let them be exposed to too much sunlight. The harm to an orchid is huge when exposed directly under the fierce sunshine in hot summer.