Is there a way to save my orchid?
QMy orchid is really struggling, with the leaves dying and the flowers getting smaller. Is it beyond hope? Maria Mason (via email)
AThe most likely reason for the leaves going limp and discoloured is a lack of water in the main, and perhaps a lack of nutrients, so I would suggest feeding your plant monthly with liquid orchid fertiliser added to rain water.
This orchid is epiphytic, which means it does not need to have its roots in soil to survive. However, it does need to grow in humid and moist conditions in order to stay plump and healthy.
I would add some suitable waterretentive material, such as moss, to the ’compost’. This can be ordinary moss from the shed roof or specialist moss from the garden centre.
Cut it up into small pieces, dampen it and mix it with some of the orchid compost in the pot. It will act as a water tank and improve humidity and water availability around the roots.
When you water, stand the pot in a saucer of water (ideally harvested rain water) once a week.
Moth orchids love the warmth of most modern homes, and ideally need a minimum on winter nights of 18°C (65°F), with a daytime maximum of 30°C (85°F). They should be shaded from bright, direct summer sun as this can scorch the leaves, but given as much light as possible during the dull winter months.
However, warm rooms are often dry, so a kitchen or bathroom is best – the humidity replicates the tropical jungle. If this isn’t possible, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles that will keep a good level of humidity around the foliage.