Saving dying orchids can be a daunting task as not all orchids are easy to grow and cater for. And it can also be a little difficult to figure out the steps on how to bring an orchid back to life because it is a large family with over 30,000 different species, having different habits and traits.
Paying close attention to your plant can help, as an orchid plant that fails to produce flowers or has some abnormalities in its foliage composition is a sign that it is dying.
Having an overall understanding of what might be harming your orchids is the first step toward reviving or fixing them.
Why Is My Orchid Dying?
Most orchids are sensitive to their basic requirements and a failure to meet these requirements can be the reason why your orchids are dying.
Orchids are known for their long-lasting blooms which can stay for months, and also rebloom throughout each year.
Still, if you notice that your orchids produce little blooms or are not producing any, then you might be lacking in meeting its requirements.
It is recommended to be familiar with your orchid species’s background and has an understanding of the right conditions for its proper, healthy growth.
Have a detailed understanding of the right lighting, watering, soil, temperature, humidity, and fertilizer needed by your orchid.
- Lighting Condition
Lighting conditions might vary a little with particular varieties of orchids, but figure out if your orchid likes direct sunlight or a more partial/indirect sunlight intensity.
Having this knowledge could assist in figuring out the right spot to grow your plant to get it to produce beautiful blooms and also what light intensity should be avoided for your orchid plant.
- Watering Condition
Most Orchids enjoy frequent watering, but not all can tolerate wet or soggy soil, so having this knowledge can help you in tailoring your watering schedule to the plant’s requirement.
Also, plants, in general, do not like being watered with tap water or any other water source treated by chemicals, so do avoid this.
- Soil Condition
Orchids are often known as epiphytic plants that grow off tree trunks and rocks, so not all of them require potting or normal soil.
There are still epiphytic orchids that could grow in a well-mixed potting soil, so have an understanding of what your orchid’s soil needs are, do they require a growing medium? Or are they better when grown in a pot with potting soil?
One thing that seems constant with orchids is that they do require a well-drawing medium or soil to get rid of the excess water from water.
- Temperature Condition
This also varies with species as their tolerance level is different with each not all orchids can survive extreme cold or extreme heat.
Study the temperature condition of your orchid while in the wild and then proceed to replicate that while indoors.
- Humidity Condition
This should also be studied and replicated indoors. Does your orchid prefer high humidity or low humidity?
For orchids that require high humidity, you can make use of a spray bottle and mist often or you can get a humidifier.
- Fertilizer Condition
Orchids often require regular fertilizer during their growing season as this can be done every week or more.
Understand how often your plant needs fertilizer or if it needs fertilizer at all for proper growth. Also, what type of fertilizer is used also matters.
Some orchids prefer an orchid fertilizer made for orchids, while some prefer a more balanced fertilizer.
Identifying and Fixing Dying Orchids
Providing care to your orchid is a lot more than meeting its basic requirements, you have to monitor your orchids for any abnormalities or signs of a possible illness or disease.
Aside from not blooming in a proper manner, orchids are prone to certain diseases and pests which can be made visible through leaf appearance. By addressing these issues you can revive your dying orchid or dead orchid.
- Yellow leaves or leaf loss
There are lots of reasons why the leaf of your orchid is yellow. It might be a reaction to too much or too little sunlight or water. Adjust your watering and light plant to fit its requirements.
Another reason can be the formation of new leaves. Older leaves die and fall off when new leaves form. If you notice this, a light trimming should be done to keep the plant looking fresh.
- No new leaves
If you notice that no new leaves are forming on your plant, this is natural as most orchids have a period of dormancy they go into. It is not permanent and do ensure you limit watering and fertilizer feeding during this period.
- Pest and Diseases
Orchids suffer from a wide range of diseases and pests like;
- Mosaic Virus,
- Root rot,
- Leaf spots
- Scales
- Mites
- Mealybugs
- Snails or slugs
These can be treated with mild soap or rubbing alcohol or some plant fungicide. For some of the pests, the use of Neem oil works great.
Frequently Asked Questions
With quick detection and response, you can revive a dead orchid.
Water your orchids every 7 to 10 days depending on the variety.
Without enough water, your orchid can stay alive for a maximum of 3 months.
Because of their peculiar sun requirements, keep your orchid in an east-facing window.
Not all orchids can tolerate direct sunlight but some do grow well under direct sunlight.
