Question
QUESTION: Hello,

My boyfriend left me in charge of his plants while he is away for a month. He's only gone less than 2 weeks, already one of his plants is dying. The tag says it's a Degarmoara Winter Wonderland 'White Fairy'. His instructions were to water the plants once every week and only a little because they are dormant in winter. He watered the plants before he left on Tuesday. I watered them again on Monday then had to return to my home for a few days. Because the house was empty I turned the heat down to about 60 before I left. I thought the plants would be ok because I'd be back in 4 or 5 days. When I returned to his house this morning all the plants were ok except for the White Fairy. Half the leaves are yellow and dry! I don't think I watered too much because the soil is dry. But it's not really like soil, more like outdoor mulch. Was the house too cold? What did I do wrong? How do I save this plant? Please help!

Carly

ANSWER: Hi Carly,

On a personal note, I think your responsibility is to follow your boyfriend's instructions as you understand them, but he must accept responsibility for their condition when he returns. As a professional, I don't think he left you very good instructions. Very few indoor plants have a winter dormant period and each plant species has different watering requirements.

The 'White Fairy' is a type of Orchid and it is probably potted in a bark chip potting mix. The only way you can properly water it is to take it to the sink and let warm water wash over and through the bark chips for about 30 seconds. Trying to water it in the traditional manner using a watering can never gives the bark chips a chance to absorb water.

The yellow leaves are probably a consequence of their not getting enough water. However, if temperatures dropped much below 60 degrees, that may also be part of the problem. You haven't mentioned light, but it is also possible that the Orchid is not getting proper light and that can also cause leaf yellowing.

Remove the yellow leaves as they will not recover. Give it a thorough watering and make sure temps stay above 60 degrees F.

I have written an article on Orchid care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Will,

Thank you for your answer. Sorry I meant to ask a follow-up question but accidentally posted on your ratings page. Then the site wouldn't let me go back and rate your answer (10 and a volunteer nomination) because it said I already rated you.

I didn't know 'White Fairy' is an orchid. It doesn't look like my boyfriend's other orchids. I will do as you say and water it at the sink for 30 sec and remove the yellow leaves. Do you think new leaves will grow back by middle February? Will it grow faster if I feed it?

My boyfriend's had this orchid for many years on the windowsill of large picture window that looks eastward and runs most of the length of the room, about 12 feet. I didn't move it away from the windowsill.

Should I water the orchid more than once a week? I swear I only left it 5 days. If I had my camera with me I would send a photo. It really looks awful and my boyfriend is really into his plants and he'll be upset if I kill one, especially an orchid.

Thank you,
Carly

Answer
Hi Carly,

Thank you for the top ratings and nomination. Much appreciated!

'White Fairy' is an unusual Orchid hybrid. Like most Orchids, it grows slowly so you will be lucky to get more than one or two new leaves in the next month. You can not force it to grow faster with plant food. Good sunlight is the primary factor in plant growth rate. The eastern exposure is good as long as the Orchid is on the sill.

If you give the bark chips a good soaking, then once per week should be adequate. The problem was not that you waited 5 days, it is that you were not properly instructed on how to water it. Your boyfriend has a responsibility to give you better and more thorough instructions. I suspect the Orchid would not look any better right now if he had not gone away because I am not convinced he knows how to care for that particular Orchid.

Good luck and don't accept balm for anything beyond your control.

~Will