The Orchid plants are just beautiful and lovely. They make a wonderful gift on all types of occasions and events. They can be used to create and craft unique flower arrangements for indoor decorations and for office weekly flower ornaments. There are more than 250,000 species of original and hybrid species of Orchids found all over the world. As of now, many horticulturists continue to cultivate and breed more species and varieties of Orchids. Because these plants are easy to grow at home, many home gardeners love growing them at home. But not all gardeners find it easy to care for, ending up with dried and dying Orchid plant. If this is the case, there are ways that you can do to revive your orchids at home.
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Determine whether the Orchid is dead or still alive.
The first thing to do if you want to revive your Orchid plant is to look for the signs of life. As what the florists say, you can only bring an orchid back to life if there is a sign of it. If it is no longer alive, there is no way to revive it.
According to the local florist in Singapore, most plants look as if they are dead when they shed leaves after blooming. However, this naturally happens after the flowers fall off from the stems. But it does not mean it is dead. The plant should have a green stem and the roots are still firm. The roots will tell you if the plant is dead already or if it is still possible to be revived.
If the plant has left but leaves are starting to turn into yellow color or if there are dark spots on the leaves, it tells that the plant is infested with fungi or bacteria. Soon enough, the plant will die if the problem is not dealt with right away.
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Diagnose the root of the problem.
Part of reviving the Orchid plant is to diagnose the problems. It is important to know what causes the plant to become dry and unhealthy or why it is not blooming. Bacterial and fungal infection is noticeable by the spots on leaves or discoloration of leaves. Another sign of unhealthy plant is when buds start to drop off even before they blossom. The possible reason for this is because the environment is not suitable for the plant or that the air in the area where the plant is located is polluted with ethylene gas leaks or smoke from cigarettes.
Another reason why the plant dies is that the roots become very dry and they lack the nutrients they need. Although they are naturally epiphyte, they can grow even on trunks of trees and on branches or rocks, but they can also grow in potting soil provided that the soil is well-drained and sufficient fertilizer or plant food is given regularly.
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Revive the plant.
Once you know that the plant can still be revived despite its condition, it is best to transfer the plant inside the house or place it under shades. Repotting the plant into larger pots will also help its roots to grow better. Choose a pot that has several holes for proper drainage and never let water to sit on the pot’s tray.
Make sure that it gets enough light but not directly from the sun. Too much light will get the leaves sunburned, thus leaves become yellowish. If the leaves are too dark, it means that the plant needs more sunlight. Water is also required to keep the plant hydrated but when you give water, make sure that it will not sit on the pot or soil because too much water will rot the roots of the plants. The safest way to water the plant is once a week or twice a week if the temperature is too high and dry. If mushy roots are noticeable, reduce the water. In case the roots have some parts already damaged or rotted, you can simply trim off the damaged part.
To get the right formula for the Orchid fertilizer, you can always ask the florist or some of the local horticulturists. Giving the plant an ample amount of fertilizers that it needs will help it to slowly become nurtured from the roots to the tip of the leaves and stems. You can expect to bloom in the next season, especially in the cool season.
Another important factor in reviving the Orchid plant is the right temperature and environment. If leaves turn into paler color or there are lesions or pitting on the leaves, you should bring the plant outside to get some warmth. On the other hand, if the leaves are wilted and leathery, place it in an area with some shades and temperature below 80 °F. During winter months and your plant is located outside the house, you may want to transfer them inside or cover the soil with a layer of mulch to insulate and protect the plant.
Orchids are one of the complex plants that can bloom year after year. It may have its dormant period, or it may look dry and wilting, but there are things that you can do to revive it. It is perfectly normal for the plant to drop off the last blooms and the leaves after the blooming period, but when you found the right technique to care for your Orchid plant, you will have it back into life. With these basic and simple plant care tips, you are guaranteed to have the plant back to its healthy state and blooming stage.
