Empty Nest Moms

Empty Nest "Our Everyday Lives" => Some "Fun" things to do.... => Gardening! => Topic started by: JustUs2 on January 11, 2019, 11:19:56 AM

Title: Help with orchids
Post by: JustUs2 on January 11, 2019, 11:19:56 AM

I received three beautiful orchids from my grandchildren for Christmas.  They naturally have sentimental value to me and I'd like to keep the flowers around as long as I can.  My problem is that the orchids appear to be "crying".  I don't know the proper terminology to describe it, but there are large water droplets on the flower stem and  leaves that resemble teardrops.  I wipe the droplets off, but they come again within the next day or so.  Does anyone know what is causing this to happen? 

Title: Re: Help with orchids
Post by: MaryB on January 11, 2019, 05:43:17 PM

See if this help:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmHQRZ6gVg8

Title: Re: Help with orchids
Post by: Quiet Abode on January 14, 2019, 12:35:10 PM

How are you doing, MaryB?  I watched the video you shared an I am so jealous of her gorgeous orchids! 


Justus2, I don't have orchids, but I grow several other plants.  It's hard to be sure what's going on without knowing what type of orchid you're growing, what the leaves and flowers look like, and where it's been placed in your home.  However, I think you're describing a process called guttation.  It's a natural reaction of the plant, but it could mean you're giving those orchids too much water.  I hope you aren't still growing them in the same pot they came in.  If so, make sure there are drainage holes, because it's common for plants to arrive in a plastic pot with a decorative ceramic pot around it.  If that's what is going on, your orchids are sitting in water which is bad news. 

Title: Re: Help with orchids
Post by: MaryB on January 14, 2019, 02:38:24 PM

Hi  :039: Quite Abode.    I'm taking it one day at a time! 
Hope all is well with you! 

Title: Re: Help with orchids
Post by: JustUs2 on January 23, 2019, 09:50:08 AM

Mary B., thank you for posting that video here.  She's easy to follow along with which I appreciate!  Her plants are gorgeous.


I looked at my orchids, Quiet Abode, and they were potted up like you said. A plastic pot inside another pot except my outer pot is metal instead of ceramic.  I had no idea!  I  switched them to a terracotta pot made for orchids and they're doing better.  I think I have moth orchids, but I'm not certain about that as the tag didn't say. 


Thank you both for the help!

Title: Re: Help with orchids
Post by: MaryB on January 23, 2019, 12:58:26 PM

You're welcome.   :big hug smiley sign: