Orchid Troubleshooting

Light

• Not providing your orchids with the correct amount of light is one of the most common issues growers face. The American Orchid Society explains, "Without enough light, orchids may produce lush looking growths but no flowers. Not giving orchids enough light is the most common reason for failure to bloom." Your orchid should have light- to medium-green leaves with a soft sheen. Too much light will bleach the leaves yellow or char them to a dry brown, and too little light will cause leaves to appear a dark green -- which, in other plants, is a sign of health. If your orchid's leaves are too light or too dark, experiment with changing the light levels until the leaves are just on the edge of pale.

Watering

• Improper watering techniques can be dangerous to your orchid; in fact, the American Orchid Society states, "Without question, more orchids are killed by incorrect watering than by any other reason." Most orchid varieties withstand underwatering better than overwatering, which can kill the root system and cause, counterintuitively, dehydration. Dehydrated plants will be brown and dry, and have droopy leaves, shriveled stems or buds that fall off before blooming. Orchids should be watered just as the potting medium dries out. You can use a wooden stake or a finger to determine if the lower layers of medium are dry. Dry orchids should be watered copiously. It is better, in most cases, to water well and less frequently than water lightly on a regular basis.

Insects and Disease

• Like other plants, orchids are susceptible to infestation and infections. Common pests that like orchids include slugs, aphids and mealy bugs, and symptoms of unwelcome munching include holes or rips in the leaves or the presence of these critters around the base of the plant. Most insects can be washed off using clean water from a spray bottle or garden hose. Orchids can also suffer from scale, rot or diseases like botrytis. These can be prevented by watering correctly and ensuring there is good air flow around the roots of the plant; however, signs of these types of issues include irregular marks, discoloration or dark and soft patches on the leaves and flowers. Wash and isolate potentially infected plants to prevent the spread of the disease.

Repotting

• The orchid's roots will tell you if and when the plant needs to be repotted into a larger container. Healthy roots will sprout new growth every one or two years, depending on the specific variety of orchid. Newly sprouting roots will be white and firm with robust green tips and are a sign the orchid is ready for a new, larger pot. If you do not repot orchids, their root system can fail, becoming mushy, and cause the plant to dehydrate. Orchids that need to be repotted may also stop growing or producing blooms.