subject: Caring For Orchids - 5 Ways To Know Your Orchids Are In Trouble [print this page] Caring For Orchids - 5 Ways To Know Your Orchids Are In Trouble
One of the many reasons growers become so fond of orchids is that caring for orchids can be quite an extremely rewarding and demanding job.While it's easy to learn the basics, successfully rearing perfect orchids takes a long time to master. The orchids themselves demand patience, at times needing more than a few years of careful nurturing before they will flower.That's why orchid growers should always be on watch for warnings of problems in their orchids. If you know what to look for, you should be able to stop the problem before it kills your beloved plant. But if not, all your hard work will have been wasted. With that in mind, here are five crucial warning signs that your plants are in trouble:WARNING SIGN #1: Spotty Flowers - The flowers are without a doubt the most delicate part of your orchid. That's why they'll often be the first to let on when there's a problem. If you see dark pigmentations on your flowers, this could be a sign of a fungal or viral disease about to take over your plant. Punctures in the delicate petals of your flowers mean that you've got an insect problem.WARNING SIGN #2: Discolored Leaves - While the leaves of the orchid tend to show signs of problems less readily than flowers, they're also much easier to eaxamine because they're continuously there throughout all life cycles of your orchid. If you see discoloration on your leaves when caring for your orchids, then some sort of sickness is present. White scaly spots on your leaves are particularly troublesome, as this is an indication of a viral disease (extremely hard to treat).WARNING SIGN #3: Shoddy Roots - You'll be repotting your orchid from time to time anyway so that it can get the proper ventilation it requires to flourish. When you do, do not forget to spend a few minutes to examine your orchid's exposed root system. The roots must appear thick and healthy. If they're discolored or fragile, or wet and deformed, you've most likely got a case of root rot, which is either caused by too much watering or allowing the orchid's mixture become stagnant.WARNING SIGN #4: Rapid Wilting - As previously stated, the flowers are the most highly prized part of the orchid. While all aspects of nurturing an orchid can be exciting, it is the vibrant flowers that you look out for the most. If your blooms seem to drop too soon after they bloom, then it's okay to be sad. Not only have you diligently worked for lackluster results, you've probably got a problem with your root system also, and the buds aren't receiving enough nourishment. This is a good time to re-evaluate how you're caring for your plants.WARNING SIGN #5: Crawly Things - Insects are a problem for any type of plant and orchids are no exception. Scale insects like to inhabit the leaves of orchids, and can be hard to spot, so make time to carefully inspect every time you water. Mealybugs and aphids are a bit easier to spot because of their nasty habit of gnawing holes through leaves and flowers. Using an accepted pesticide such as malathion is suggested by a lot of growers, and organic alternatives also exist for those who choose "green" gardening.It's always sad when something prevents your orchid from flowering into the finest it can be. Take steps to get the most out of your plants by following these crucial tips on taking care of your orchids.
