Saving an orchid: Wet to dry cycle

When I look at a blooming orchid I see beauty. I think that a notion of beauty is often associated this fragility, however, do not be mistaken into thinking that orchid weak.

I had purchased flowers that were in bloom but their roots were rooting due to inappropriate watering and growth media. I was searching for ways to save them. In the process I managed to give them the right conditions and they pulled from the brink of death. 

Some had no roots and only leaves but their desire for life so strong that against all odds they managed to fight. 

Few things I learned:

• Wet to dry cycle
• Root of an orchid absorb and in case of a phalaenopsis store water. Therefore they have preference in time that they like their roots to stay wet before they dry
• lave them too wet without ventilation and they root
• keep they dry for too long, they will shrivel and die
• Orchids can handle being dry much better then being wet therefore when I was trying to learn the wet to dry cycle of each orchid I stay on the side of dry.
• Believe me I stayed on the wet side and it equals: dropped flowers, limp leafs and rot.
• Tips to recognize wet media
• Put your finger in the pot if the first inch of the media is damp it is wet.
• Look at the color of the media usually dark indicates wet. 
• Lift the pot before and after watering. Wet media is heavier ;)
• Put a wooden stick in the pot then touch it to your wrist to detect moisture.
• I know this list may seem funny but I did it all and do it sometimes especially when seasons change to know when to water.

So Orchids

I always appreciated the beauty of an orchid. But my notion of an orchid started and ended with an image of a phalaenopsis. My first orchid was a gift, that I received during a hot summer with ice cube instruction. Long story short by the end of the summer I had one crispy flower. I voweled that one day I will learn how to grow orchids.

In the Fall/Winter 2015, my local Traders Joe's had a shipment of gorgeous orchids. I purchased two flowers with my husband. One yellow phalaenopsis and one pink mini phalaenopsis. To acquire the mystical knowledge of growing orchidI read books and watched videos. I basically became obsessed with not killing the flowers.

As of today, only one survived after all my intensive care (ER) attempts to keep it alive. On my journey, I discovered that world of orchids only begins with a phalaenopsis. Furthermore, through my experimental care, I am learning how to grow, save and appreciate orchids. With this blog, I want to share my observations with those that stumble onto this site.