Dead or dying orchid - please help - big memories attached?

Question

I grow flowers but caring for orchids is something I never attempted. This orchid was given to my husband's mom on the day she passed away. He kept it & put it outside in a shady area.

After a few months the blooms dried up. He misted it every day but it dried out. There are no blooms, just stems that are dark (is that how they always look?) but the leaves at the base are still a sort of spongy wilty looking green.

Will it ever come back & how do I get that to happen? I'm redoing that area today & told him we have to say goodbye to it but he looked at me sadly & said "I'll just keep misting it".

What should I do?

Answer 1

Oh gosh I just wanted to cry when I read that.:(

I don't know much about Orchids either but if they are anything like asiatic lillies this seems kind of normal. I tried to look it up and will attach some links. I can also ask my neighbor tomorrow as he has a bright green thumb! He may know more than I can help with.

http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Orchids

http://www.orchids-plus-more.com/orchid-...

http://www.beautifulorchids.com/orchids/...

It seems like they are actually running the normal course. From what I gather they bloom for about 2-4 months then you basically wait until next season when they will bloom again.

I do believe that orchids regrow the next season.

You may want to check that it hasn't gotten too wet. Too much moisture will ruin the stems. It has to have good drainage.

IT seems you are supposed to cut above the stem after the blooms have dried up. Read this blog here for more info. It seems to have a lot. Check the 5th or 6th block down for where to cut.

http://www.orchidforums.net/forums/gener...

It is actually the last post on page that tells you where to cut the stems for the next year.

THis link will also tell you where to cut your stems.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Orchids-727/c...

Hope these help. THey do seem very similar to asiatic lillies in the matter of the care process. I just planted my first garden this year (with the help of my neighbor because I was clueless).

It will come back. Just read the links I posted for caring for it after the blooms have fallen off.

Oh I just want to cry so sad! Hope this helps but it sounds normal.