Hello orchid lovers, this is gonna be a jumpscare š these are my 3 orchid plants that have been gifted and Iām not sure how to look after them. The one in the middle is actually surviving after Iāve placed it in pure water. Would like some advice if Iām able to get them back to life or have they died. Also would like to point out I have watered them about a month ago, the right one doesnāt seem to be drinking the water.
The roots will turn silver and color when they need water. They will be a bright green like a green bean when theyāre well hydrated. Keep in good light.
2 LikesI donāt know if the first plant is an orchid. If so, Iām unfamiliar with this type. The other two are phalaenopsis orchids. It looks like you currently have one in water, and one in soil. Neither of which are ideal for epiphytic orchids. You want to pot them in a media that both retains some water, but has air pockets, as these roots require water, but just as essentially, require air, otherwise you will suffocate and rot the roots. A orchid bark and sphagnum moss mixture- very light and fluffy is a good starting point. Itās also a very good idea to pot in an orchid specific clear plastic pot with lots of ventilation holes. You can then keep an eye on the roots to determine when itās time to water. Water your plant the roots will turn green. Wait for the media to dry, the roots will turn a silvery color. Only then, you should water again.
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^super good advice!!! Also, that first plant on the left looks more like a philodendron of some kind (Orchids are monocots, so their leaves have parallel veins. Similar to tulips and corn). If possible, @Acey please take it out of that jar. Its leaves definitely need more space to grow. *also, in case @Acey would like more context about orchid care: in the wild, Phalaenopsis orchids grow high up in the canopy of tropical forests, getting all their moisture & nutrients from tree bark & other plants around them. This is why a mix of bark chips & sphagnum moss is an ideal potting mix. Based on how dry or humid your area is, you may want to adjust ratio accordingly (sphagnum is very absorbent & is good at keeping things moist).
2 Likes I recommend watching MissOrchidGirl on YouTube!! Her orchid care videos are very thorough and super beginner friendly
2 LikesThank you guys, will definitely update and hopefully I can save them
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The plant in the first pic is not an orchid. It looks like itās probably an Antherium. The orchid in the last pic looks like it might not make it. It may have a chance if you remove it from the jar immediately, let it dry out some, then plant it in orchid mix (which is mostly bark with maybe a little sphagnum moss) after you cut off any dead roots. The dead ones will be mushy or papery, depending on how long itās dried. Once repotted, let it dry out between waterings. The roots will turn grayish when it need watering again. Fertilize with orchid food according to the directions on the container/bottle. Best of luck!
1 LikeIāve repotted the two that were in the glass, not sure what to do with the glass now because itās pretty. However, figured that one of them is a philodendron.
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