how do you take care of an orchid on a long vacation

Advice on orchid care while on vacation please

• 1) Water them thoroughly for the time leading up to your departure.
• 2) Move them into subdued light at moderate temperatures, and the highest humidity you can manage.
• 3) Consider capillary matting to provide water while you're away.

Full Answer

How to repot an orchid?

When you are ready to repot your cactus, start by gently removing the plant from its container. If you are having trouble with the root removal process, dislodge the soil on the edges of the pot with a flat tool such as a butter knife. Once out of its pot, shake the excess dirt from the roots with your fingers.

Do you need to repot an orchid?

When an orchid plant starts to grow over the edge of the pot, it is time to repot it! Orchid plants need repotting for one or a combination of two main factors: Potting mix breaks down, often evidenced by dead roots, or the plant outgrowing the container. In the first case, a larger pot may not be required, simply replace the growing medium.

How to water orchids correctly?

Watering Orchids the Right Way

1. Water Only in The Morning. The best and only time you should water orchids is in the morning. ...
2. Watering Frequency. The rule of thumb for orchids is to water once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer. ...
3. Smaller Potted Orchids Vs. ...
4. The Pencil Trick. ...
5. Use Rainwater if Possible. ...
6. Use Only Room Temperature Water. ...
7. Never Water the Leaves. ...

More items...

How to properly care for orchids?

Proper sunlight is another requirement of the red orchid cactus. When keeping it as a houseplant, you must ensure this plant gets plenty of indirect sunlight. As per SFGate, too much or too little light can cause the cactus' leaves to become yellow or ...

How do I leave my orchid for 3 weeks?

Most orchids will survive for two to three weeks (a typical vacation period) without watering, occasionally up to one month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis all will survive with up to three weeks of not watering as long as their medium is maintained moist.

What to do with orchids when you travel?

0:145:20What to do with your orchids when you're going on vacation. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTwo weeks I do not suggest people converting over their orchids from bark or moss into water cultureMoreTwo weeks I do not suggest people converting over their orchids from bark or moss into water culture right before you leave on vacation. You need to do that about a month before you leave on vacation.

How do I water my orchid while on holiday?

0:064:06Q&A- How to keep Orchids watered during vacations? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you don't want the pot to actually touch the water. And suffocate the bottom roots here. So forMoreBut you don't want the pot to actually touch the water. And suffocate the bottom roots here. So for this particular one a glass will be just fine if you have bigger pots.

Can orchids go 2 weeks without water?

Most Orchids will survive for two to three weeks without water, some occasionally up to one month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis, all these common species of Orchids will survive up to three weeks during a typical, 2 to 3 weeks' vacation period.

How do I leave my orchid for 2 weeks?

Long Vacations (two weeks to several months): Find a trusted orchid sitterWatering: Water the orchid with three ice cubes on the same day each week. ... Indirect light: Place the orchid in a north or east-facing window for indirect light. ... Temperature: ... Moisture:

How long can cut orchids go without water?

Depending on the orchid species, the popular varieties can last between 1 week (e.g. Dendrobium) to 3 weeks (e.g. Moth Orchid, Dancing Lady, Slipper Orchid) in a vase of water. In corsages or bouquets without water, they last for only 1-2 days. When dried properly, they can last for a year or more.

Do you water orchids from the top or bottom?

To master watering orchids, it is essential to water from above with fresh, pure water. For orchids with water storage, pseudobulbs, water when the potting mix is approaching dry. Otherwise, for orchids without water storage, without pseudobulbs, keep the potting mix barely damp.

How often should orchids be watered?

An orchid generally needs water once a week during the winter and twice a week when the weather turns warm and dry. An orchid shouldn't go longer than two to three weeks without water; it will start dying.

Why do orchids leaves turn yellow?

Orchid leaves turn yellow if not watered often enough, watered too lightly or because of low humidity. Underwatering orchids causes roots to turn white, shrivel and die back. The shriveled, dying roots cannot transport water and nutrients to the orchid which causes the leaves to turn yellow.

How can I water my plants while on vacation for a month?

Place gallon jugs or jars of water (size dependent on how long you expect to be gone) alongside your plant with a piece of twine or yarn in the water, and the other end around the soil of the plant. The water will wick from the jug to the plant and keep it's soil moist while you are gone.

How do you know if orchid is dying?

The telltale differences:1) Crown and roots: If the crown--the part of the plant that connects the leaves and the roots--is brown and mushy (this can occur from too much water), the orchid is likely dead. ... 2) Yellow leaves: If only the bottom leaf is turning yellow, no need to worry.More items...•

How long can orchids survive shipping?

2) GROUND OR AIR – A general rule is to keep orchids in a box NO MORE THAN THREE DAYS and preferably as short as possible.

Can I bring orchid on a airplane?

When traveling with an orchid by plane, you will need to wrap and cushion it before your flight. This will help minimize damage during transport. Pack the orchid in a box that can fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. You can bring orchids onto most domestic US flights.

Can you bring an orchid home from Hawaii?

With the exception of gardenia, jade vine and Mauna Loa orchid, fresh flowers from Hawaii are allowed onto the U.S. mainland after passing inspection. "Once they are inspected, they have to be sealed up" in either a box or bag that can be closed, said Michael L.

Do water globes work for orchids?

Watering globes are a great option for plants that like to maintain moist soil, such as ferns, Calathea, spider plants, pothos, peace lily, Philodendron, elephant ears, and orchids. Watering globes are a great option to keep your plants watered when you are away on vacation.

How do you water orchids?

So how do you water orchids? 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.

How often should you water an orchid?

Over watering is a very common problem with orchids. They don't require as much water as a lot of people give them. We recommend a small glass of w...

After flowering, should I cut off any brown or dead looking stalks?

Yes. Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) of the stem until the next flowering season. If it doesn’t regrow from there, you can remove the rest of last seas...

New leaves are growing at the end of two separate flower spikes and air roots. Should I just leave t...

Leaving it could cause the orchid to outgrow the pot. They might be able to be separated into two different plants if the roots are able to easily...

How often should you water the Orchid?

The Orchid thrives when it dries out in between waterings. On average, you should water your Orchid once per week. This helps it to dry out for a f...

How much sunlight does the Orchid need?

The Orchid loves bright and direct sunlight. You can help your Orchid by giving it the brightest spot in your house where it gets a lot of direct s...

What is the best soil for the Orchid?

Your Orchid grows best in wood chips, rather than soil. You can also plant your Orchid in Leca, which helps to drain the moisture quickly and preve...

How often should you fertilize the Orchid?

Your Orchid is needs fertilizer to stay healthy throughout the year. You should fertilize your Orchid once per week with special Orchid fertilizer....

Is the Orchid toxic for pets?

The Orchid is not toxic to your pets and small children and is completely safe to keep around them.

How to keep orchids from getting stale?

In mild months, you can open windows in your home to provide a gentle breeze. Otherwise, use an overhead fan on a low setting or an oscillating fan directed away from the or chids to keep the air from getting stale or stagnant.

What humidity should I use for orchids?

If the humidity in your home is higher than 60% , place a dehumidifier in the room where your orchids are to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

How many species of orchids are there?

Orchids are beautiful, delicate flowers that come in array of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are over 22,000 species of orchids, and care requirements may vary based on the type. However, you can follow some simple guidelines, regardless of what kind of orchid you have, to keep it healthy and looking great.

How much humidity do orchids need?

2. Mist orchids daily if the humidity level in your home is below 40%. Orchids do best in environments with 40-60% humidity. Pick up a hygrometer from a gardening center or superstore and use it to test the humidity in your home.

What is the best potting medium for orchids?

Provide a fast-draining potting medium designed for orchids. You can choose between a bark-based or moss-based potting medium. A bark-based medium drains well and will help prevent overwatering, but can break down quickly. A moss-based medium retains moisture better but it necessitates careful watering and may need to be repotted more often.

How to keep water from spilling on floor?

Put a saucer or drip tray underneath the pots to prevent excess water from spilling on your floor.

What happens to a plant after it blooms?

After flowering, the foliage growth will eventually stop. You can give the plant less water and fertilizer until new leaves start to grow again.

The perfect soil for your Orchid

In all other plant care guides, I start by explaining how you should water your plants. But this is a little different when it comes to Orchids. Orchids, unlike almost all other plants, don't grow in soil. Orchids, in their natural habitat, grow on the bark of trees, rather than in soil. You can see this when you look at their "roots".

Growing your Orchid in Leca

You can grow your Orchid in wood chips or Leca. Whether or not you choose to grow your Orchid in wood chips or Leca, you have to make sure your Orchid never sits in a puddle of water at the bottom of your pot. Your Orchid is very sensitive to overwatering and if it sits in a puddle of water, it will die quite quickly.

Watering your Orchid

We've already discovered that Orchids don't grow in soil, but rather in wood chips or Leca. This makes watering your Orchid a little different than watering your plants that happily grow in soil.

Humidity for your Orchid

Your Orchid doesn't like wet feet and is very sensitive to root rot, but it does thrive in very humid environments. Most homes are too dry for most tropical plants, but you can help your Orchid with this.

Sunlight requirements for your Orchid

The Orchid is a flowering plant, which means it needs a lot of direct sunlight to thrive. Growing flowers takes a lot of energy, energy which it gets from the sun.

Fertilizing your Orchid

Often, when I describe how to fertilize a plant, I assume the plant is planted in soil. Since your Orchid doesn't grow in soil, your normal plant fertilizer doesn't work well for an Orchid. When you want to properly feed your Orchid during the growing season (spring and winter), you should get special Orchid fertilizer.

Toxicity for your pets

If you love houseplants and you have pets or small children, you're in luck! Orchids are generally not toxic and are completely safe to have around your pets and small children.

Can orchids be placed in a bathtub?

When you travel, don't forget to make arrangements for someone to check in on and care for your orchid, says Rogers. But if you can't find a plant sitter, "orchids can be placed in a bathtub on risers, with water level just below the bottom of the pots to help increase humidity and extend time between watering," he says.

Can you keep orchids in a container?

If you're keeping your orchid in a decorative container, make sure it has been thoroughly drained after watering it and before putting it back in that container, says Rogers. "Also, after watering, make sure no water remains in the crown or the leaf joints of the plant," he warns.

Do you have to repot orchids?

Don't forget to repot your orchids. Like other plants, orchids benefit from being repotted. "If you have never done it, it can be intimidating the first time or two—but not only does it get easier, it can rejuvenate you as well as the plant," Horak promises.

Can orchids be killed by overwatering?

Don't give it too much water. "In most cases, orchids, are more likely to be killed by doting overwatering than neglectful under-watering," warns David Horak, curator of the orchid collection at Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Can you put an orchid on a coffee table?

You can't simply set your orchid down any old place, warns Bruce Rogers, orchid expert and author of The Orchid Whisperer, Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids ($15.59, amazon.com). "Although your new orchid looks stunning on the table behind the couch, there may be a heating vent under it that will cook it the first day," he says. "Putting it on the entrance table by the front door could expose it to freezing cold weather and drafts during winter. [And] an orchid on a coffee table may be easy pray for pets and small children ." So, be sure to thoroughly scope out where you'd like to keep your orchid, making sure it's is free of things that can injure it.

How to keep orchids from drying out?

1. The first solution is to soak your orchid medium in water for thirty minutes the day you leave. This is an exaggerated amount of time, but the idea is to hydrate your orchid medium more than the typical watering cycle. 2. Another idea to avoid your orchid drying out is to add humidity.

What to do if orchid is not blooming?

Change the potting medium: if the orchid is not in bloom, then this might be an option. Trade out harder materials that do not absorb water (as charcoal, fir bark, pebbles, gravel, Styrofoam peanuts, etc.) for sphagnum moss.

How long can orchids survive in humidity?

The orchid will suffer, but it’s an extreme measure to save an orchid with in an extreme humidity crisis. The orchid can survive up to almost two months , depending on the species, then transfer it back into a moist potting mix covered in sphagnum moss. We personally can’t think of any other reason to not water an orchid.

How long can orchids live without water?

How long can an orchid go without drying out? Most orchids will survive for two to three weeks (a typical vacation period) without watering, occasionally up to one month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis all will survive with up to three weeks of not watering as long as their medium is maintained moist.

How to make an orchid pot?

Select a small pan filled with rocks, gravel, or other higher standing pebbles. Fill the pan with water only half-way up to the sides of the gravel. Do not cover the rocks with water. Place the orchid pot over the pebbles. Water will naturally evaporate over time, floating upwards towards the pot.

How many pages is the fertilization guide for orchids?

If this article has been useful so far and you want more information about orchid care, please subscribe to my newsletter. You'll get a 14-page fertilization guide to download as a gift.

Can you water orchids for you?

Loving and caring individuals who don’t know how to properly water your orchids will drench the little orchid-souls to their imminent drowning.

What is orchid forum?

Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Is the UK the birthplace of orchids?

That's somewhat surprising. The UK is pretty much the birth place of orchid growing. I figured orchid societies would be common. Do you have any neighbors you are on good terms with that you could ask or kids in your neighborhood you could pay to take care of them? Also many orchid nurseries have boarding services so if there is an orchid nursery in driving distance, that might be an option.