Orchid Troubles? The Doctor is In!

Dracula vampira orchid at the Conservatory of Flowers, just in time for halloween!

I love to decorate with orchids, but to say that I love to "grow" them might be a stretch. Truthfully, I haven't had much luck in the past getting my orchids to bloom again after one cycle is finished. But I've just learned about a new service from the San Francisco Orchid Society, whose "Orchid Doctor" is now answering questions online...

Ailing Dendrobium? Fungus-ridden Phalaenopsis? Check out the Orchid Doctor's page, where he answers questions about orchid care. You might find another orchid enthusiast with a similar problem, and if not, you can write in with specifics and get your own answer.

The Orchid Society also offers Orchid Care Sheets to help you navigate the basic maintenance of your plants. These include "Orchid Basics," for the true beginner, as well as a monthly checklist for care of your orchids all year round. Their helpful listings divide orchid species into "beginner" and "intermediate" to help with your shopping as well.

Visit the San Francisco Orchid Society to learn more about the Orchid Doctor.

(Images: Joseph Auletta for the Conservatory of Flowers; Flickr member geishaboy500, licensed under Creative Commons)

Comments (5)

THANK YOU! Orchids are my favorite and I can't get mine to bloom after I buy them.. I hope I can do this right!

posted by Icanmakeit on October 21st 2009 at 9:19pm
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When I've had orchids, they've thrived on benign neglect...
...the biggest mistake is to water them like other plants - it doesn't work. Just fill a spray bottle w/ water and mist them once in a while.

posted by bepsf on October 21st 2009 at 9:56pm
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I agree w/ bepsf. Neglet and total abandonment seems to make them come back for me. The fatal mistake does seem to be overwatering. Its an automatic death sentence.

posted by Volvoguy on October 21st 2009 at 10:23pm
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I've been growing orchids for about 5 years. The best source of information I've found for orchid care and troubleshooting is the Orchid Board, a free message board of thousands of orchid owners where you can post questions and photos and receive expert advice.
www.orchidboard.co

posted by annki on October 22nd 2009 at 9:18am
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so useful! i love orchids and don't have luck getting them to bloom after the first round - i recently just added 2 plants to my apartment this week so hopefully i'll get some tips!

posted by kiwi on October 22nd 2009 at 7:34pm
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