Plastic pots

QuestionWhy are plastic pots used for orchids? AnswerMary Ellen, thanks for your question. Plastic pots have a number of features not possessed by clay pots. The main features are light weight and protection

baseofleavesonorchisdareyellowing

Questioni have had my orchids since 11/5/2011, i have one that has finished its bloom, i have cut it back and continue to ice it once weekly. now the base and its leaves are yellowing fast i have had to remove

Living in a humid dorm room

QuestionI am looking to add a plant to my shared dorm room in San Jose, CA. The dormitory room faces north east so the room gets almost no direct sunlight. It gets rather warm in the dorm since I am sharing the room

dendrobium orchid

QuestionMy dendrobium is in full bloom with about 20 blooms but the canes are about two feet long with no leaves. What do I do about the long canes after bloom so they want be as leggy. AnswerEstelle, unfortu

How to get phalaenopsis to bloom

QuestionI have about 2 dozen orchids, mostly Phalaenopsis of various sizes planted in bark and kept indoors. Some I bought blooming a few months ago - some are years old. I feed them every other watering

reading material regarding orchids

QuestionHello Wayne, I am new to orchid horticulture...can you recommend or suggest a book or two regarding cultivating/growing orchids? Thank you, Derick AnswerThe best beginners book on orchid culture (my opin

Growing New Leaves

QuestionOur orchid is growing a new leaf at the top of the plant instead of the bottom. Is that a problem? AnswerKelly, if you have a phalaenopsis orchid, and the new leaf is on the old flower spike, this is not un

Wilted Orchid Flowers

Question orchid I purchased an orchid at a deep discount from a grocery store. The reason it was so discounted is due to wilted flowers. Only the ones at the top are wilted. Leaves are fine.

New leaves yellowing

QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I live in NW FL and my orchids love it outdoors in the summer. Now that its winter I bring them in and put them in a sunny window. Theyve been indoors for about 3-4 months now and my Dend

Black spots on tips of Phalaenopsis leaves

QuestionQUESTION: Ive had a white phalaenopsis for about 5 years and it has recently developed black spots on the tips of two of the leaves on one side of the plant only. The bottom leaf on this side does not

Orchid leaves appear waterlogged

Question Close up Hello, I have a feeling this orchid has been over-watered. The leaves look as though they are waterlogged and rotting. In the last day or so, there is a spotty fungal looking ma

Phal with Issues

QuestionHi Mr. King, I have a Phal thats been living in an east-facing window for about 7 months. It currently has 3 leaves and a spike with 9 blooms that look pretty good (the first 6 are about 6 weeks old, the la

repotting dancing lady

QuestionI have a large plant in a wire basket. Id like to repot some of it for a friend . what is the best way to do that. I want to get a hanging basket. Do i get the brown bark like liner for the basket, add orchi

Cattleya flower sheath stops growing

QuestionQUESTION: Hi Wayne King, My cattleya flower sheath has been in same size for more than two months. Its mother plant also having same problem(flower sheath not maturing but new shoot has formed & matured). &

Phals orchid leaf

QuestionHi, just wondering if I should or need to do anything with my phals orchids that are doing very well for years. They bloom every year, sometimes theyll be two spikes, I even every so often cut part of the ol

Dendrobium

QuestionHi, I have a Dendrobium orchid, the flowers and leaves died and fell off about a year ago, ever since i have just 2 long stems, they are both covered by a dry crusty skin, but look green and healthy undernea

Are these Red spider mite(2) ?

Questionpest on phal QUESTION: Hi Wayne King, Ive attached the photo of another phal. Any advice to remove them completely ? Thanks in advance, Nwe Lay ANSWER: I can suggest several insecticides effectiv

cymbidium blooms

QuestionI use blooming cymbidiums in a restaurant and want to get a maximum bloom time. At times the bloom only lasts for 10 - 14 days. They are needed and moved into an area that is probably too warm, for a period

Save My Orchid!!! Please!!

QuestionMy cymbidium orchid is not doing well. I believe I am watering too much but I dont know how to save it now. The flowers are dying and dropping off but they are producing a sticky goo! Please Help! AnswerJen

Cymbidium orchid and phalaenopsis orchid

QuestionI bought a cymbidium orchid and a small phalaenopsis orchid about 3 weeks ago, and all of the flowers have fallen off both. The cymbidium leaves are also turning brown at the top. The phalaenopsis is orange