O’Dowd’s Orchids Blog and Care Instructions

O'Dowd's Orchids Premium Store Blog is a vibrant destination where orchid enthusiasts can deepen their love for these extraordinary plants. Our blog features a wealth of information, from expert tips on caring for Cattleya, Coelogyne, and Cymbidium orchids to insightful articles about the latest trends in orchid gardening. We share stories about the unique personalities of our orchids, fostering a connection between our plants and our readers. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a curious newcomer, our blog aims to cultivate a community that celebrates the beauty and diversity of orchids while providing practical advice to enhance your orchid-growing journey. Embrace the artistry of orchids with us and discover how to make them a cherished part of your home.Our blog posts are done once per month to help and inform our customers. We hope you enjoy.

Slip Potting

Written By ODowds Orchids

Slip potting is an easy way to move orchids to a larger pot without disturbing the roots. This is best not to do when they are blooming. This is more for orchids that have completely outgrown their pot and are soon to bloom.

Loosen the media, pull the orchid out gently from the bottom of their stems, add an inch or two of media at the bottom before the plant goes in, don’t disturb the roots or the old media and fill in the empty spots around the roots with new media.

This will allow your overgrown orchid to have more room, go on to bloom, and you can change the media after the bloom, if need be.

Slip potting has worked for me, even when they are in bloom but you have to be so careful that I would not advise it. You could lose all your blooms. I often have Cymbidiums that are growing out of the top of the pot because the roots are too crowded. So, I slip pot them and I do it quickly and gently. I try not to disturb them. They barely know it happened.

Just remember, when slip potting, you will be tempted to cut off dead roots, or pull off old media, don’t do it, unless you want to skip the blooming. Sometimes, it is necessary to use this method simply because the roots are growing out of the pot at the top and bottom. The pot barely holds media anymore because the roots have taken over. Just slip pot and put them back into their favorite spot and leave them alone.

Enjoy your orchid adventures!

Coelogyne Orchids

Written By ODowds Orchids

Coelogyne orchids are my favorite orchids. They have small delicate blooms, are almost always fragrant, and can grow quickly and become very large if you allow them.

I use both moss and small media in my pots for Coelogyne orchids. I put moss around the roots and fill the pot with small media that has rockwool mixed in for keeping the media moist.

Coelogyne orchids can be overwatered just like all other orchids. So, if you see the pseudo bulbs turning yellow, check to make sure it is not too wet. If so, remove it from the pot and let it sit in a larger pot for several days until it drys out a bit. Coelogyne orchids are fairly easy to work with but like all orchids, too much heat, too much cold, or too much water can kill them quickly.

We have some very large Coelogyne orchids in our shop. Check them out and enjoy. Also, Coelogyne orchids love to hang in baskets. Enjoy!Slip Potting

Written By ODowds Orchids

Brown Pseudobulbs On Cymbidiums

Written By ODowds Orchids

Brown pseudobulbs can mean a variety of things but it is usually overwatering. They first have one or two of the cymbidium leave that will have a couple yellow leaves and start dropping them after each watering. The cymbidiums looked dry however, deep down inside, they were wet. When it is hot, they dry out more quickly. Each area of the U.S. has different heat, humidity, and fluctuations. If you overwater, put them in a larger pot and let them dry out a bit. Not totally dry but barely damp. Add large media but not a lot. Leave lots of air pockets and good air circulation where ever you set them.

If you repot with new media when the cymbidium is not in bloom, that will be fine. Just remember not to put into a much larger pot, or the cymbidium will work on more roots and not blooms. If your cymbidium is crowded in the old pot, give it about a 1/2 inch more around the pot. This will cause the roots to spread out a little and still bloom later in the year. Do not water until the roots are white and almost completely dry. Let the water drain out of the bottom and set the Cymbidium on a wire shelf to get air under the pot as well as on top. You may lose leaves but you will save the plant. Use see through pots if you need to. You can see when the roots are dry (white) and when they are wet (brown).

How to Fix Orchid Root Rot

1. Remove the Orchid From its Pot. ...

2. Remove Excess Planting Material. ...

3. Prune Damaged Roots. ...

4. Spray the Roots with Ginger water ...

5. Repot with large media and only a small amount. You want to dry out your Cymbidium.

6. Allow the Orchid to Recover, water when the roots are white and almost completely dry. DO NOT WATER CROWN OF THE PLANT, WATER AROUND THE CYMBIDIUM.

7. “Fertilize at the proper time to help Cymbidiums flower. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer such as (30-10-10) from March until May, a balanced fertilizer such as (20-10-20 / 10-10-10) from June until September, and a blossom booster such as Dyna Grow Bloom (3-12-6) once you see spikes forming in early spring.”

Cymbidiums need bright indirect light. If the leaves are a lovely dark green, they are not getting enough light. I have ‘grow lights’ but here in Idaho May-August we have our summers. Which is great if we don’t have a lot of clouds. Mine go out on the porch but the afternoon sun is too strong so I have to cover them with shades.

Written By ODowds Orchids

How To Make Cymbidiums Bloom

Written By ODowds Orchids

Cymbidiums love fresh cool air to bloom. If you grow them indoors you make sure they have enough light and cool temperatures. They can be moved outside from May-August (depending on climate change) and what part of the country you live in. You want it to get down to 50-55 degrees at night and up to the 70’s during the day. If Cymbidiums get too hot, they may not bloom. I keep my Cymbidiums in a cool, dry area on a porch during the summer and indoors during the winter. I live in North Idaho, so our winters do go down below freezing. During the summer I monitor the watering very closely because they get thirsty in the summer months and they dry faster outside. I water once per week in the summer. Many cymbidiums do not want that much water, so brown pseudobulbs means cut back on watering. Believe it or not, each cymbidium is different.

Light

Unless you’re in the northern states, no direct sun. Hang a shade cloth to hide them from direct sun. Dappled light is okay as long as it does not burn the leaves. Where I live, the summer sun can get very hot, and I shade the greenhouse in the afternoon. Southern states will have to protect them from direct sun and high heats. Perhaps a covered porch with some air blowing on them. They don’t like it over 70 degrees so you may have to grow indoors. Give them the maximum amount of light without burning them.

Artificial lights use them for 10-12 hours. They can’t get sunburned but they need lots of light to bloom. If your leaves are dark green, that means there is not enough light. They Cymbidium leaves should be a lighter green.

Water To Keep Damp But Not Soaked

Cymbidiums like to be damp but not soaked. So, you can water according to where you live and how dry or humid it is. When the Cymbidiums are outdoors for hot days, use a spray bottle and mist them with warm water. In some states you may have to water two times per week, like Arizona. In some states like Michigan you may only need to water once per week or per 10-12 days. Keep track of your moisture in the media.

If you live in the middle states, you will often see lots of foliage on the Cymbidiums but not blooms. It is all about cool temperatures and lots of light. This can be accomplished but it takes some tweaking to get it right. Don’t give up. They will bloom after you figure out how to keep them cool and in bright light.

Take care and have fun. When Cymbidiums bloom, they are glorious and last for many weeks and often several months. For the first bloom expect one or two branches to bloom. It increases every year. Don’t forget to feed them twice per month during the growing summer season.

I Often Hear, "I can't grow orchids."

Many people often say, "I can't grow orchids." This belief might stem from the perception that orchids are delicate or require specialized care, but the truth is that if you can manage to care for houseplants, you can absolutely grow orchids successfully. The key to nurturing orchids lies in understanding their basic needs, particularly when it comes to watering habits. One of the most common mistakes made in orchid care is overwatering. Unlike many houseplants that thrive with regular watering, orchids are particularly sensitive to excess moisture. If you purchase orchids from big box stores or grocery stores, they often come packed for lengthy travels, which unfortunately involves being placed in wet moss. This scenario is detrimental to the health of the orchid and can lead to its demise in just a few days. If you find yourself with an orchid that has been packaged in wet moss, it's essential to act quickly. You may notice that the blooms are wilting, which may be concerning, but losing the blooms is far less critical than losing the orchid itself. Start by carefully removing the orchid from its pot and gently detaching the moss. Allow the roots to dry out completely before repotting the orchid in dry media. When you do repot, be cautious with the amount of water you apply; less than half a cup should suffice to start. For those lucky enough to order orchids directly from reputable growers, it's crucial to ensure that the media isn’t too damp upon arrival. Gently slip the orchid out of its pot to assess the moisture level. During warmer months, I often find myself watering orchids just before they are due to be packed for shipping. This way, the plants arrive with just the right amount of moisture to keep them healthy without risking overwatering. With these precautions in mind and a little attention to detail, anyone can cultivate beautiful orchids in their home. Remember, it's about finding the right balance in their care. By being mindful of how much water your orchids receive and paying close attention to their needs, you can enjoy the stunning beauty of these remarkable plants without fear of failure.