Amateur Gardening – 10 July 2019

6 JULY 2019AMATEUR GARDENING 41

Anne Swithinbank’s masterclass on: orchid problems

Q

My Phalaenopsis orchid looks

dead at the top, but still has healthy

looking roots. Is it going to survive?

Deidre Charnock, Salisbury, Wiltshire

A

Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) were

the favourites of Victorian orchid

collectors, and how amazing that

species gathered from the forests

of Malaysia and Borneo have

been hybridised, multiplied by

tissue culture, and now fill

supermarket shelves.

In the wild, moth orchids

are epiphytic, growing

on trees, and absorbing

water and nutrients from

the environment through

aerial roots.

Growth is made by a

central rhizome producing fleshy

leaves one at a time, with usually four

or five per plant. It is important to keep

water out of the centre, especially during

winter, when cold, wet conditions

encourage the rotting that has probably

killed your plant. There is a tiny chance

a new growth bud might form at the top,

but if nothing shows after a couple of

months, give up and buy another one.

Moth orchids are renowned for

their long flowering periods and an

ability to grow happily in normal room

temperatures and indirect light, making

them ideal houseplants.

Moderate care keeps them

flowering for a few years,

but good care will see

them thrive longer. A

common scenario is the

forgotten orchid, never

repotted and eking out its

existence on an erratic diet

of tap water and an occasional

feed. I have to admit to a few of

these, and answering your question

has shamed me into giving them some

much-deserved TLC!

What’s wrong with my orchid?

been hybridised, multiplied by

central rhizome producing fleshy

them ideal houseplants.

Moderate care keeps them

flowering for a few years,

but good care will see

them thrive longer. A

common scenario is the

forgotten orchid, never

repotted and eking out its

existence on an erratic diet

of tap water and an occasional

feed. I have to admit to a few of

I have 55 houseplants (not

counting those in the porch

and greenhouse), but that is

no excuse for neglecting

these poor Phalaenopsis

Body image and bottom image: Alamy. All other photography John Swithinbank / TI Media, unless credited

See-through pots help to check

root health. My plants are stunted,

due to low winter temperatures

and erratic watering.

Phalaenopsis

rescue guide

After the last flower has faded,

cut the stem above a node just

below the old flowers and a new

spike will arise. After the whole

spike has died, the plant will grow a

new leaf and then a new spike.

Gauge watering requirements

by feeling the weight of the pot.

Add an orchid fertiliser to the

second watering rather than to dry

roots, or use a foliar feed. Bring

water to room temperature and

apply in mornings during winter.

In hard water areas, use rainwater.

You need to repot after a few

years, because compost breaks

down, encouraging overwatering.

Cut away dead roots.

Anne’s

top tips

Repotting

your orchid

REPOT in spring or autumn when

the plant is taking a breather from

flowering. Use bark-based orchid

compost and return to the same

(washed) pot or up to a 5in (13cm) pot.

Leave aerial roots outside. If living

roots inside have grown too long, it is

better to trim rather than fold them in.

Moth orchids originate

from Malaysia and Borneo

Moth orchids are

renowned for their long

fl owering periods

Inset: Alamy

Potted Phalaeonopsis

placed in deep pot sleeves

risk sitting in water. Remove

them, water, then drain

and replace. Alternatively,

sit the pot on stones in

the base.

Trim dead roots and

any healthy roots that

have grown too long