Orchids are easy-to-maintain houseplants. However, like any other plant, care issues can occasionally arise, leading to the dropping of orchid buds, flowers or leaves. While this might be alarming, it also serves as a gentle warning from the plant. In this article, we’ll explain the reasons behind bud, flower, and leaf drop, so you can prevent it in the future.

What to do when an orchid is dropping buds, flowers or leaves?

When when an orchid is dropping buds, flowers or leaves, this can be caused by various factors. We’ll discuss them one by one below.

 

Why are the flower buds dropping from my orchid?

If the buds of an orchid are falling off, the plant might not be receiving enough sunlight or water. Place the orchid in a brighter spot and water it at least once a week. Temperature fluctuations, such as draughts, are also detrimental to orchids. If your orchid is new to your home, bud drop is likely a response to the changed environment.

 

 

Why are the leaves falling off my orchid?

If the leaves of an orchid are falling off, the plant may have been sitting in water for too long. This can cause the roots to rot, resulting in yellowing leaves that eventually fall off.

Also read: What to do with an orchid with yellow leaves?

 

Why are the flowers falling off my orchid?

Since orchids are tropical plants, they thrive in warmth. If they are too cold, both buds and flowers can drop because the roots become less active. Therefore, ensure that your orchid is always placed in an area with an average temperature of at least 15 degrees Celsius.

Also read: How to make orchids rebloom again?

 

Bonus tip

Keep orchids away from the fruit bowl. Ripening fruits release a significant amount of ethylene, which is not favorable for blooming orchids, and can also lead to bud, flower, and leaf drop.

Caring for an orchid isn’t difficult at all. It’s a beautiful plant that doesn’t have many demands. With minimal effort, you can enjoy it for years to come. In this article, you’ll find 4 handy tips to help keep your orchid blooming for as long as possible.

Also read: The orchid from birth to maturity

 

How to keep your orchid blooming for as long as possible

Keeping your orchid blooming for as long as possible is all about the right care. As long as you keep the plant happy, it will reward you with beautiful flowers. There are thousands of different orchid species, with the Phalaenopsis being the most well-known. They don’t all require the same care, but there are a few general tips that will make most orchids happy. The guidelines below will take you a long way. Tip: when purchasing an orchid, always ask if there are any specific tips for the specific variety you’re buying.

 

Inspect your new orchid

Since prevention is better than cure, we recommend always checking whether an orchid is healthy when purchasing it. Are the roots green, the leaves smooth and 50% of the flowers are open? Then you have a healthy plant. Bad signs are: dark brown roots, misshapen leaves and many yellow buds.

 

 

What is the best place to keep an orchid?

Once at home, it’s important to find a nice spot for your orchid. The best place to keep an orchid is a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause the leaves to burn, which we naturally want to avoid. Make sure not to place an orchid in a drafty area or near a heater. Also, be cautious with fruits, as some types of fruit – like bananas – emit a certain gas (ethylene) that can cause your plant to age faster.

 

How to water an orchid & how often?

The next important step in keeping your orchid blooming for as long as possible is watering. There are two methods of watering your orchid:

1. Immerse it in water

Remove the orchid from the decorative pot and place it in a container with water for 5 – 10 minutes, allowing the plant to absorb water. Take the orchid out, let it drain and place it back in the decorative pot. Preferably do this once a week.

2. Water it

Pour about 60 ml of water onto the soil in the orchid’s pot. During the summer, it’s best to water your orchid once a week, while once every two weeks is sufficient in the winter.

When watering your orchid, make sure there’s no standing water in the pot. This can be harmful to the plant, causing the roots to rot.

 

 

How to get your orchid to rebloom

Most orchid species bloom for an average of six to ten weeks. Unfortunately, all blooms come to an end. But don’t discard the plant, as you can make it bloom again. To get an orchid to rebloom, there are two things you can do:

• Is the stem still green? Cut it off above the second bud.
• Is the stem dead? Cut it off completely.

 

Place the orchid in a cool place and give it relatively little water. When the plant starts forming new stems and/or buds, move it to a warmer spot to encourage blooming. Water your orchid once or twice a week and occasionally mist it with a plant spray. Optionally, you can support the new stems with a stake and clips.

 

Also read: How to make orchids rebloom again?

Most plants need to be repotted from time to time. Providing more space and fresh potting soil encourages growth and prevents root suffocation. But orchids are a bit different. While you can repot an orchid, it doesn’t require the same frequency as other plants. In this article, we’ll delve into the reason why and provide you with some practical repotting tips.

Can I repot my orchid?

Yes, you can repot your orchid. But unlike most other plants, orchids prefer to be snug in their pots. The tighter the fit, the more flowers they will produce. Therefore, it’s not a problem if you see roots creeping outside the plastic pot. You’ll know it’s time to repot when the pot starts to crack. In general, you should repot your orchid every two to three years.

Also read: The importance of the plastic pot of an orchid

 

How to repot an orchid

The best time to repot an orchid is in the spring, when it can recover most effectively. Be extremely gentle when removing the orchid from its old pot, to minimize damage to the roots. Start by eliminating any unhealthy roots and yellowing leaves. Then, transfer the orchid to a plant pot that’s at least 20% larger than the previous one, ensuring ample room for the orchid to grow comfortably. For this, use special orchid potting soil, also called bark. Ordinary potting soil is too dense, restricting the orchid’s ability to breathe.

Also read: How to care for an orchid

 

 

Finally, soak the orchid in a water bath for around ten minutes, allowing it to absorb a sufficient amount of water. During the first few weeks after repotting, monitor the plant regularly and water more frequently if necessary.

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

Mealybug or aphid. All bugs that are not welcome on orchids. Of course, you hope your orchid will never suffer from it, but unfortunately it is a common plague on many types of plants. If it does happen, in this article we give tips on what you can best do about it.

 

What to do with mealybugs?

Does your orchid suffer from lice? Then here is a useful tip! To combat the lice, mix 90 ml of spirit, 140 ml of water and 3 drops of detergent or green soap. Shake well and spray on the lice. Be careful with the flowers, though, as it may stain them. You can also buy lice control products at the garden centre. Usually you have to repeat this a few times, as lice are stubborn.

Also read: Care tips from the orchid growers

 

How do you recognise mealybugs?

Mealybugs can be recognised by small white bugs of about 3 to 5 millimetres that secrete a substance that looks like cotton wools. Like almost all lice, mealybugs also secrete sticky honeydew. You can recognise this by the shiny speckles on the leaves of your orchid. The bug feeds on plant sap. It causes unsightly puncture marks on the leaves, but can also weaken the weakened one, making it more susceptible to other pathogens.

 

 

What causes mealybugs?

Mealybugs are strongly attracted to moisture. So if you have mealybugs on your orchid, it could well be that the plant is getting too much water. Aphids often appear in the winter months when the humidity in the house is too dry and the pot and roots too wet. Draughts can also be a cause. When fighting mealybugs, it is therefore important not to water the plant too much in order to further repel the aphids and eventually deprive them of nutrition.

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

 

If your orchid has yellow leaves, it’s a sign that the plant may not be in optimal health. Several factors could contribute to this issue, such as direct sunlight, being subjected to extreme temperatures (either too hot or too cold), or overwatering. In this article, we will explore these potential causes and provide you with the remedies!

What to do with an orchid with yellow leaves?

 

Direct sunlight

One of the causes of an orchid with yellow leaves could be direct sunlight. Orchids prefer a bright spot, but not direct sunlight. Avoid placing your plant too close to a window, or consider using sheer curtains to create some shade. However, be cautious not to place it in an excessively dark spot, as this may cause the flower buds to drop prematurely.

Also read: How to make orchids rebloom again?

 

Too high or low temperature

Another reason for yellowing orchid leaves might be a temperature imbalance. Orchids thrive in temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 ºC. They can tolerate slightly cooler or warmer conditions, but only for short periods. Try to maintain a relatively consistent temperature at home, as orchids dislike sudden temperature fluctuations.

 

Overwatering

Overwatering is another common cause of yellow leaves in orchids. Excess water can lead to root rot, resulting in the appearance of yellowing leaves. During the summer, water your orchid once a week, and in winter, reduce it to once every two weeks. To prevent root rot, consider using the immersion method. Simply immerse the orchid’s root ball and inner pot in water for 5 to 10 minutes. This method helps ensure the roots receive adequate hydration without becoming waterlogged.

Also read: 3 ways to water your orchid

 

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

 

When you purchase an orchid, it comes in a plastic pot. Many people assume that this pot is unnecessary, so they discard it and place the orchid in a decorative plant pot. While this may seem reasonable, it’s not quite the intended practice. The plastic pot of an orchid actually serves a purpose! It helps your orchid thrive and stay healthy. Read on to find out how.

The importance of the plastic pot of an orchid

 

When you remove an orchid from its plastic pot and place it in a pot without drainage holes together with potting soil, the roots no longer receive oxygen. Since orchids have aerial roots, they require oxygen to survive. Additionally, overwatering can cause the roots to rot. Excess water has nowhere to go, leading to water pooling at the bottom of the pot. This results in the roots remaining wet, leading to rot. By using a plastic pot with drainage holes, excess water can easily escape.

Another advantage of a plastic pot is its transparency. This allows you to see the roots of the orchid at the bottom of the pot, so you can check if your orchid needs watering. Are the roots green? Then it has sufficient water. Are the roots grey or white? Then it’s time to water.

 

Also read: 3 ways to water your orchid

 

 

Repotting an orchid

For these reasons, you don’t need to repot an orchid too frequently. Repotting only is a good idea when the roots are growing out of the plastic pot, causing it to break. Use airy soil, preferably special orchid potting soil, because regular potting soil is too dense and doesn’t drain thoroughly enough.

 

Also read: How to care for an orchid

 

When caring for an orchid, you don’t want to overwater it. Because excess water in the pot can cause the roots to rot. In general, watering once a week is sufficient during the summer, and once every two weeks in the winter. But since every plant has different needs, it’s always best to check whether your orchid needs water first. We’ll tell you a very handy trick! (more…)

By far the most important step of orchid care is watering. This is also the part that some people find tricky. Do I water too much or too little? To find out whether your orchid needs watering, here’s a handy and easy trick!

 

How can you tell if your orchid needs water?

Check the roots! The colour of the roots will tell you if an orchid needs water. If the roots are grey, it is time to water. If the roots are green, the plant has enough water.

Read also: What to do with an orchid with yellow leaves?

 

 

How should I water my orchid?

If it is necessary to water your orchid, there are three methods to ensure orchids are watered properly:

• Bathing: Put the roots of the orchid in a shallow bath for a short while (5-10 minutes). You can use a basin, a bucket or your sink. Leave the (plastic) inner pot in place to ensure that you don’t damage the roots. It’s also essential that the plant dries thoroughly after its bath because orchids don’t like wet feet.
• Dish of water: You can also water your orchid by immersing it in a dish filled with water. By placing the orchid with its (plastic) inner pot in a layer of water for 5-10 minutes, the roots will absorb the water they need. If you do this, make sure to let the orchid dry well.
• A shot glass of water: If you don’t have time or you can’t take the orchid out of its pot, the shot glass is the perfect tool for you. To give an orchid the exact amount of water it needs, you only need to pour one shot glass of water (around 60 ml) between the roots.

 

In this video, you can see the above steps:

 

 

For more care tips and inspiration:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/orchidsinfo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/orchidsinfo
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/orchideenederland
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/orchidsinfo

Do you ever wonder this: how much water does an orchid get? What is the best place in the house? And does an orchid actually need nutrition? The biggest misconception is that orchids are difficult to look after, when in fact they are so easy! With a little extra attention, you can enjoy your orchid for months, often even years. We collected some tips to keep your orchids in top condition this winter.

Orchid winter care tips: how to keep your orchids fit and vital

 

Watering

By far the most important step of orchid care is watering. In winter, we recommend watering once a week. Tip: to see whether your orchid needs water, just look at the roots. Are they grey then it’s time for water. Green roots mean the orchid has enough water.

If you wonder: when do I water too much or too little? With these three methods you’ll make sure your orchid is watered correctly. Check the video below or read it here: 3 ways to water your orchid.

 

 

Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken

 

Een bericht gedeeld door OrchidsInfo (@orchidsinfo)

 

Put your orchid in a bright spot

As it is darker in winter, it is recommended to place your orchid close to the window. This way, they will still catch enough light, during the darker days. When looking for a spot for your orchid, there are a few things to consider:

• Orchids like plenty of light, but they don’t like direct sunlight. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that you can never put your orchid on a window sill, just make sure to pick a sill that’s not in full sunlight all of the day. In winter, the orchid can safely be placed in the window sill, as the sun shows itself much less often then and is less bright.
• Orchids don’t like draughts. A little fresh air now and then won’t be a problem, but be wary of windows and doors that are often open.
• Another thing orchids don’t like is being near a heater. In summer, when your heater is off, it’s not a problem, but pay attention to this in winter.
• Orchids like a room temperature of at least 15 to at most 25 °c. Most rooms in modern houses comfortably meet these demands.
• The kitchen is a fine place for orchids, but be wary of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables emit ethylene, which may cause your orchid to drop all its buds at once.

 

 

Cut off dead flowers

When the flowers of your orchid die, they dry out and eventually fall off. If this doesn’t happen naturally, you can also cut off the dried flowers carefully yourself. Doing so allows the plant to focus all its energy on its blooming flowers and new buds. During the bloom period of your orchid you don’t need to trim it. When your orchid has completely finished blooming, you may choose to trim it to stimulate the creation of new buds. How? Read this article: How do I get my orchid to flower again?

 

 

More care tips? You can read it here!

Do you ever wonder this: how much water does an orchid get? What is the best place in the house? And does an orchid actually need nutrition? The biggest misconception is that orchids are difficult to look after, when in fact they are so easy! With a little extra attention, you can enjoy your orchid for months, often even years. We collected some tips to keep your orchids in top condition this summer.

Orchid summer care tips: how to keep your orchids fit and vital

 

Watering

By far the most important step of orchid care is watering. In summer, we recommend watering once a week. You may wonder: when do I water too much or too little? To make it easy, we have highlighted three methods to make sure your orchid is watered correctly. You can read it here: 3 ways to water your orchid.

Tip: to see whether your orchid needs water, just look at the roots. Are they grey then it’s time for water. Green roots mean the orchid has enough water.

 

 

Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken

 

Een bericht gedeeld door OrchidsInfo (@orchidsinfo)

 

Put your orchid in a bright spot

An orchid is often placed in the windowsill or somewhere else close to the window, but in summer that can be a little too warm. If you’re looking for a nice place for your orchid, there are several things to keep in mind:

• Orchids like plenty of light, but they don’t like direct sunlight. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that you can never put your orchid on a window sill, just make sure to pick a sill that’s not in full sunlight all of the day.
• Orchids don’t like draughts. A little fresh air now and then won’t be a problem, but be wary of windows and doors that are often open.
• Another thing orchids don’t like is being near a heater. In summer, when your heater is off, it’s not a problem, but pay attention to this in winter.
• Orchids like a room temperature of at least 15 to at most 25 °c. Most rooms in modern houses comfortably meet these demands.
• The kitchen is a fine place for orchids, but be wary of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables emit ethylene, which may cause your orchid to drop all its buds at once.

 

 

Cut off dead flowers

When the flowers of your orchid die, they dry out and eventually fall off. If this doesn’t happen naturally, you can also cut off the dried flowers carefully yourself. Doing so allows the plant to focus all its energy on its blooming flowers and new buds. During the bloom period of your orchid you don’t need to trim it. When your orchid has completely finished blooming, you may choose to trim it to stimulate the creation of new buds. How? Read this article: How do I get my orchid to flower again?

 

 

More care tips? You can read it here!