4 Best Ways On How To Save Orchids

Don’t beat yourself up if you need to learn how to save orchids in four ways. Orchids are not the easiest plant to grow, and it’s usual for gardeners to face challenges and study solutions for saving orchids. However, don’t let this deter you from having these beautiful flowers in your garden. 

With the extensive list of orchid species, you will indeed find a suitable one for your area and practices. Nonetheless, even the most prepared gardeners can find their orchids looking like they’re close to death one day. 

 

How To Save Orchids Successfully  

 

Option #1. Isolation

When you notice your plants looking leggy or weak, you must isolate them immediately. This is beneficial for them since you can comfortably identify their condition and do the proper solution to revive them. Additionally, separating dying orchids is the first step to help them recover and avoid additional stress from being around the current location with other orchids. 

If the orchids have pests or diseases that transmit efficiently, putting them in a different environment will keep the other plants healthy. In the long run, it will be easier for the gardener to manage the potentially infected orchid and control the disease or pest before it becomes more problematic. Recovery would be much easier if there will be no additional challenges as the orchids heal. 

 

Option #2. Proper maintenance

Saving orchids are not only limited to treating their current state. The implementation of their ideal conditions and maintenance practices will help them rejuvenate themselves. Additionally, these ideal conditions should prevent worsening the orchids’ state or create new problems as you recover them. 

For example, did you know that overwatering is the number one cause of root rot? Unhealthy-looking orchids may be suffering from this condition, but it is not entirely hopeless. You can fix orchid root rot by removing the damaged roots and encouraging new and healthy ones. 

So how does one water a weak orchid without the risk of root rot? Experienced gardeners use lukewarm water and let it drain at the bottom of the pot. This way, the root system won’t undergo shock, but the orchid will still get water that’s important for healing. 

You may also need to remove the spikes on your orchids using a sharp and sterilized pruner if they didn’t bloom. Pruning orchids can help save orchids so that the plant can focus their energy on recovery much easier. And to further help them get some energy, you can provide orchid fertilizer over the roots. 

 

Option #3. Prevent and treat parasites

There are many pests common to orchids, including scale and mites, to name a few. If you recognized the infestation signs from any pests, you want to eradicate them to lower their population quickly. Isolation of infected plants would be beneficial in addition to washing them with water or using horticultural oil depending on the severity and number of pests in each plant. 

It’s also worth remembering that stressed plants will be more vulnerable to pests and diseases. To save an orchid, you want to protect it and be one step ahead. Besides isolation, you can use an orchid-safe pesticide as a preventative measure for your orchids. 

A lot of homemade treatment for infestations or infection from fungi and bacteria also work well as preventative measures to protect your orchids. However, be mindful of your orchids’ tolerance as some might be too harsh for the already fragile plants. Do your research and test a small part of the orchid first before using a treatment for all orchids. 

 

Option #4. Relocation and repot

As mentioned earlier, using a greenhouse for growing orchids is advantageous because it doesn’t expose them to fluctuating weather conditions. More so, you can use this controllable environment for saving orchids to prevent further stress as they try to heal. You can provide the orchids’ optimal requirements so they can replenish their damaged parts in the greenhouse. 

In addition to changing the location, another way to save orchids is by repotting them in a new container and medium. For example, do you know how to save orchids with no roots? It sounds like this condition will be hopeless, but similar to root rot, you can still get your orchids back by removing the non-functional parts and putting the orchid in a new container. 

Repot the orchid in a new pot and media before placing it lidded in a plastic to create the rooting’s ideal humidity. The main takeaway here is that you can still usually save orchids that look like they’re at the end of the line by merely putting them in a new environment. Just be careful with removing them from the previous pots, and handle them with care. 

 

Conclusion

Experienced or not, you may one day find your lovely orchids in a state close to dying. You must know how to save orchids and be prepared to rejuvenate them as quickly as possible. The first option is isolating the sick orchids and ensure proper maintenance practices to prevent further stress or diseases. 

You can also check for pests and create preventative measures as sickly orchids are more prone to having them. Lastly, please put them in a controlled environment like a greenhouse and repot in a fresh container and medium. Doing so can encourage recovery and new growth that you might even recover orchids with no roots. 

 

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