How to Revive an Orchid (5 Proven Methods)

Orchids are beautiful flowers that can live for a long time. But sometimes they can get sick or unhappy. They may lose their leaves, their roots, or their flowers. They may look dry, yellow, or brown. This means they need your help to get better.

In this article, you will learn how to revive a dying orchid in 5 proven methods.

Method 1: Check the Watering

One of the most common reasons why orchids die is because they get too much or too little water. Orchids do not like to be wet or dry for too long. They like to be moist but not soggy.

To check if your orchid needs water, you can do these things:

• Look at the leaves. If they are wrinkled or limp, your orchid is thirsty. If they are yellow or black, your orchid is drowning.
• Feel the potting mix. If it is dry and hard, your orchid needs water. If it is wet and mushy, your orchid has too much water.
• Lift the pot. If it is light, your orchid needs water. If it is heavy, your orchid has too much water.

To water your orchid properly, you can do these things:

• Use room temperature water. Do not use cold or hot water.
• Water your orchid in the morning. Do not water your orchid at night.
• Water your orchid once a week or when the potting mix is dry. Do not water your orchid every day or when the potting mix is wet.
• Water your orchid from the top until water comes out of the bottom holes. Do not let your orchid sit in water or soak in water for too long.
• Drain the excess water from the pot and saucer. Do not let your orchid stay in the water or have wet feet.

Method 2: Check the Light

Another common reason why orchids die is because they get too much or too little light. Orchids need bright but indirect light to grow and bloom. They do not like the direct sun or dark shade.

To check if your orchid has enough light, you can do these things:

• Look at the leaves. If they are dark green, your orchid needs more light. If they are yellow or red, your orchid has too much light.
• Look at the flowers. If they are small or few, your orchid needs more light. If they are faded or burned, your orchid has too much light.

To give your orchid enough light, you can do these things:

• Place your orchid near a window that faces east or west. Do not place your orchid near a window that faces south or north.
• Use a sheer curtain or a shade cloth to filter the light. Do not expose your orchid to direct sun or strong heat.
• Move your orchid away from the window in summer and closer to the window in winter. Do not keep your orchid in the same spot all year round.
• Rotate your orchid every week to give it even light exposure. Do not let your orchid lean to one side or grow unevenly.

Method 3: Check the Temperature

Orchids like to be in a warm place, but not too hot. If they are too cold, they will not grow well, and their leaves will turn yellow. If they are too hot, they will dry out and their flowers will fall off. You need to find the right temperature for your orchid.

To check if your orchid has the right temperature, do this. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature near your orchid.

You should keep your orchid in a place where the temperature is between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius (64 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). That is the best temperature for most orchids. You should also avoid placing your orchid near a window that gets too much sun or near a heater or air conditioner that blows hot or cold air on it. Those things can make the temperature change too much and hurt your orchid.

Method 4: Check the Fertilizer

Sometimes orchids can get too much or too little fertilizer. This can make them unhappy and sick. Too much fertilizer can burn their roots and leaves and make them turn brown or yellow. Too little fertilizer can make them weak and stop them from blooming. You need to find the right balance for your orchids.

To check if your orchids need more or less fertilizer, you can look at their roots and leaves. Healthy roots are green or white and firm. Healthy leaves are green and shiny.

Your orchids might have a fertilizer problem if you see:

1. brown or black roots or
2. yellow or wrinkled leaves,

To fix this problem, you can try these steps:

• Flush your orchids with clean water. This will wash away any extra fertilizer that might be hurting them.
• Use a balanced fertilizer that has equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are the main nutrients that orchids need.
• Use a low-strength fertilizer every time you water your orchids. This will give them a steady supply of food without overfeeding them.
• Adjust your fertilizer according to the season and the type of orchid you have. Some orchids need more fertilizer in the summer when they are growing and less in the winter when they are resting. Some orchids need more nitrogen to grow leaves and some need more phosphorus to grow flowers.

By checking on your orchid’s fertilizer, you can help them revive and thrive. You will see them grow new roots and leaves and produce beautiful flowers.

Method 5: Check the Pot and Potting Mix

First, you need to take your orchid out of the pot carefully. Hold the stem gently and lift it up. You might see some roots sticking out of the potting mix.

Second, you need to look at the roots and the potting mix. Healthy roots are green or white and firm. Sick roots are brown or black and mushy.

Good potting mix is loose and airy.

Bad potting mix is wet and smelly.

Third, you need to trim the sick roots using clean scissors. Cut off the brown or black parts and leave the green or white parts. Be careful not to cut too much or hurt the healthy roots.

Fourth, you need to replace the bad potting mix with fresh potting mix. You can buy orchid potting mix at a garden store or online. Fill a new pot with some potting mix and make a hole in the center. Put your orchid in the hole and cover the roots with more potting mix. Press lightly to make it firm.

Fifth, you need to water your orchid and put it in a bright place. Orchids like to be moist but not wet. You can water your orchid once a week or when the pot feels light. Orchids also like to have indirect sunlight. You can put your orchid near a window but not in direct sun.

By using these methods, you can revive your dying orchid and make it happy again. Orchids are amazing plants that can live for a long time if you take good care of them. Enjoy your beautiful orchid!

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