I have 4 orchids. I can never keep them alive. I've had ...
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@SoaringOrpine42 Hi Polly! I used to keep orchids as well! Once a week I would fill up the container they were in with water and let them sit for several minutes then pour ALL THE EXTRA WATER OUT- really let it drain! They don’t like to sit in water at all! To be honest that is all I did and it’s all my daughter does for hers and she has had hers for years! They do need a good bit of filtered light as well. Have you researched what that kind needs online? That’s always the first thing I do! Good Luck🪴🌿🌺🌸
Orchids don't like to have "soggy feet" . Make sure the soil is orchid bark. Some people water them every week, other people 1 time a month. The thing to remember they are basically air plants. When you do water it soak the whole plant (not the flower but the roots and leaves like to soak) I soak my plants probably 1 time a month in the winter and every week during their active growing season. 5 minutes or 2 hours is fine just don't leave it in water for an extended time. Humidity and lighting also play a part
Fertilizer only when they do not have flowers, water once a week with water in the morning only. Since it is spring/summer it is the time for roots and leaves. They should not be blooming. They also need their eviction notice soon. After Mother’s Day they can go sit outside in a shaded area. At night it has to be warmer than 50 degrees Fahrenheit for them to live outside. I fertilize every other week right now, because I am in the leafy season.
A lot of people are saying water once a week but you should wait until the roots are silver in color to water, they do not like staying wet, they need a very chunky orchid bark for medium, if yours are in the spagnum moss most stores do that then I would switch out the moss for bark, the flowers falling off is natural, the spike will rebloom if it is still green and plump, cut off the first node of the spike and it will rebloom for you.
I would also remember orchids only bloom 1-2 times per year and loose all their blooms after they do. As long as the leaves still look good, you’re not doing anything wrong!