The orchid is a tropical plant that loves warmth and humidity. Therefore, it must be watered regularly, especially during the growth phase. If there is no water, the orchid dries up, its petals fall off, and its roots acquire a gray color. If you forgot to water your orchid to the point where it’s becoming dry, don’t panic! you can always save them. Find out how to revive a dry and wilted orchid.
The orchid is a flowering plant that can be grown very well at home, provided it has the necessary conditions for its proper development. With poor care, your plant could dry out and die. However, you can save it so that it blooms again.
How to revive a dry orchid?
Here are the steps to save your wilted orchid:
Cut the Stem
If the orchid is dehydrated, its flowers will fall off and its stems will dry out. The flower stalk is a stiff stem on which the flowers develop. It can also carry up to 20 flowers.
The first help you can give your plant is to remove its wilted flowers and let them rest. To stimulate the flowering of a dried orchid, it needs to be pruned. To do this, count 2 buds from the base of your plant and cut the dried stem 1 cm from the 3rd bud.
Take care of the roots
If your orchid’s roots are white or black, remove them with scissors so as not to contaminate the rest of the roots. Also remember to remove dead roots. Press your fingers on the roots, if some are soft it means they are dead and therefore need pruning. Keep only the aerial roots, which are always useful.
repot
Once you’ve cleaned your plant of dehydrated roots, stems and petals, you’ll need to repot it to change the substrate. In fact, who says a new substrate means a new supply of essential nutrients to help your plant bloom again?
Do not use a standard substrate to repot your orchid. Your orchid needs a substrate rich in clay pellets, peat moss, coconut fiber and charcoal, and pine bark, among other things. Also, consider choosing a clear plastic pot to constantly check the condition of the orchid’s roots. Repotting can be done every 2 or 3 years.
Therefore, you need to provide your orchid with the necessary conditions for its proper development.
Exposure
Place your pot in a bright spot away from direct sunlight that could dry out your plant’s foliage.
Temperature
Keep your pot at a temperature between 18°C and 25°C. Also, keep the pot away from drafts. Although the orchid loves warmth, it does not like humidity, so keep your plant away from radiators or other heating systems. In fact, the radiator dries the surrounding air and therefore your orchid needs more water in this case.
Watering
While your orchid’s roots can dry out and die from dehydration, too much water can cause rot.
To water your plant, remove the pot and submerge the plant in a basin of water for 10 minutes. Then remove the pot from the bowl, drain and put the pot lid back on. With this technique you can moisturize the roots, but also the root ball. Use room temperature water for watering, as hot or very cold water could damage the orchid’s roots. It can also be used in irrigation water, a liquid fertilizer once a month but without excesses. In hot weather, you can spray your orchid leaves, but make sure your plant dries well afterward. This is because water can build up in your plant and cause it to rot.
Orchid Diseases
If the growing conditions are not suitable for orchids, your plant may develop certain diseases. We may therefore notice a gray rot that forms on its flowers or black spots that cover the plant. In this case, it is necessary to remove the damaged parts of the system to avoid the risk of contamination.
If you meet these conditions, your dried orchid can develop new stems with flower buds at the ends, which will then give you beautiful flowers.