Hi, my name’s Wisaal & I’m an orchid killer
I can’t really explain why I love orchids. I just always have. White is my favourite but I’ll take them in any colour really! Pressed to answer I’d probably say it’s because the delicate flower reminds me of a butterfly. I just heart orchids.
I knew I was going to have them at my wedding one day. And when that day arrived I could not believe what they cost! If you have an idea of what they cost in-store multiply that by 2-3 times and that’s round about what a florist would charge. I will say this: I contemplated driving to the closet half-dozen Woolies stores on the morning of my wedding but I suppose this wasn’t the time to be frugal.
I even had an orchid corsage for the morning ceremony leaving me walking around with a bent left arm as if it was in plaster of Paris and shooing everyone who came within half a meter of me with my other arm. Nothing else would do.
Tip: don’t try this at home on a flight
So you’ll then perhaps understand then that after my wedding given the investment I got the bright crazy idea to fly (half of) them back to Jhb with me and the other half on my next trip (obviously). I still remember his response “you’re on you own”. And he wasn’t joking – his only “contribution” was taking above picture….
I don’t even know how I got through that flight. I have no idea where everything went. I do remember the air hostesses faces when they saw me board.
And it was all in vain.
Not only did they all die drown but I am still killing drowning orchids today. And this despite my concerted, conscious effort not to. Above is an orchid I was gifted somewhere at the start of the year. My blogger friend Irina and I both got one at a launch and with a similar track record, we vowed to better our ways by making a pact that whoever’s died would owe the other lunch. Let’s just say we have 2 lunches coming up soon! 🙂
*sigh*
There I was doing my shopping a couple of weeks ago when I spotted these beauties called vandas….
How pretty? And doubly expensive (mostly because of the cost of the large vase I think). I had to have two obviously!
I got home & started googling immediately & one of the very 1st things I read was that vanda’s are of the hardest orchids to grow even for those who are seasoned orchid growers.
*heart drops*
Probably 6 weeks on, they now look this like this. I don’t understand. I followed the on pack instructions to a T!
I’ve asked for help online (thanks if you responded), appealed to the Orchid Growers of South Africa and even attended the World Orchid Conference (WOC) held in Jhb this past weekend (yes, really!). And so, I’ve done a major intervention on these 3 plants this weekend as soon as I got back from WOC and before I tell you what I did, let me see if any of it works in the slightest.
Cross your (green) fingers for me!
W
xoxo
The title is hilarious! I myself loooove orchids and plants in general but I’m terrible at keeping them alive. I even killed a cactus… And I’m currently struggling to revive a house plant that was large and bright pink when it was given to me but now is shrunken and brown. I don’t know hey…
Barati – you killed a cactus? That’s skill right there… 🙂
This was such a good post. Thank you for early morning chuckle. I feel your agony with growing orchids as I have ended up with 2 dead ones already which was gifted to me hence I won’t be buying any. Your veggie garden is doing well though 🙂
Hey Lalannie happy for you to have a giggle at my expense – I deserve it. Just glad I’m not alone in this! 🙂
W
Sounds weird but my Dad always spoke to his plants, and I have heard of many others who do this…Needless to say nothing he planted or tended to ever died. Give it a go 😉
I got a gorgeous purple orchid as a sympathy gift when my Dad passed on earlier this year. The florist actually told me to water (not too often) and that even when it looks dead after a few weeks, in a years time it will bloom again. I have kept it in the vase in my sunroom all alone and am hoping for the best. Your post has reminded me to check up on it now *blush*
Nuzhat I hope your orchid is okay!?! W
*keels over and dies* Oh my goodness Wisaal!! Remember i told you that you must mist them. What I did with my orchid baby is that I just use a regular spray bottle, and spritz the flowers and leaves, especially because it’s so hot now then I water every Monday if the soil looks a little nearly dry.
3 weeks later and I guess it’s still thriving, lol.
Shame there is still hope! Good luck
Christy that opening line of yours! 🙂 🙂 🙂 I am misting now. Its too early to tell – keep you posted…
I hear you – I used to be so proud of my orchid nurturing capabilities as they used to do so well in a particular spot in my home, and then things went South, for no apparent reason either. Now they just die on me…have given up for now. Share if you ever get those pearls of orchid wisdom..
Pippa I will do. These guys are such high maintenance hey – cannot believe what happened to you…
I was pronounced an orchid killer by my hubby…..
but decided not to give up …. I successfully revived 1 that looked terminal and 3 that seemed to be heading for that direction.
1 is now about to flower 😀 after losing it’s blooms 3 months ago…
3 have new shoots and the last one is a very healthy green and looks a lot stronger.
First thing I decided was re-pot and chatted to the guys at Lifestyle what I could use to
as a filler that orchids would like. They recommended coconut husk which you can get from for about R30 a bag – it’s a great way to keep the plant hydrated as it captures the water without the roots having to sit in it.
When repotting I saw that some of the roots were tenacious enough to wind themselves through the bottom of the original pot (I had just re-housed them in a nicer looking pots).
Woolies Orchid Food was a godsend which I use once a week…. 5ml in 750ml water is enough to water 2 -3 of them depending on how much water has evaporated.
Putting them into clear glass vases is best – you will get to see how much water they need.
The stuff the plants come in is definitely not enough to sustain them. Then look for signs like yellow leaves – too much water. Let the plant dry out till it’s about cool to the touch (not moist) then start with watering.
Browning leaves are a sign of not enough water….. you know what to do then.
I now know that if the bottom half of the filler is wet no more is required.
And one more important tip – when blooms have fallen off cut the stem back to about the 4th node. Followed this tip off the instructions and voila….I have a new shoot with buds!!!
Hi Fazila,
Thanks for such a comprehensive reply.
These are really good tips and a few are actually new – I will be trying them.
I need to do an update post & its mostly not good news I’m afraid!
PS I STILL owe you a visit!
W
This is the 3rd time I read this post. Every time I think of buying orchids, I remember that I, too, am an orchid killer and I slowly put the plant down and run the opposite direction.
LOL. I Googled how to not kill them with my last batch and they died none the less. I really am thinking of getting silk ones. This has become that desperate.
Orchids just don’t like us Bu. Its THEM it’s not us! 🙂
Hi Wisaal,
All of my plants are growing strong!
Moved them closer to each other and in a place that gets great sunlight
Tip:the leaves should be a bright green and shiny if the plant is getting enough sunlight – dark forest green – not enough sunlight. So play around with the location. Your plants will let you know 🙂
I get the greatest joy to see them flourish so please don’t give up on them. Blooms were starting to fall off the one that currently flowers when they didn’t need to – with the hot weather we’re having I realised that they need a little water every couple of days. I still have one beautiful bloom at the tip of this one beauty.
I even have another that decided to grow a whole new set of leaves and blooms at the tip of a stem (which is why cutting them back once the flowers drop off is key). Its going to be interesting to see how this grows.
Wisaal, will send you pics if anyone is interested. Let me know if I can assist your plants – it’s awesome to see them revive.
Indeed, please set up some time for when you are able to visit. I will need some advice on integrating a new kitten into the household soon.
Would love to get your do’s and don’ts 🙂
Enjoy your Orchids ladies
xxx
Hey Fazila,
Thanks for these tips, so comprehensive, I so appreciate the time! I need to do an orchid update soon and its not going to be a good one I’m afraid 🙁
Awww congrats on your kitty, do share pics please! 🙂
Re tips, see these from the shelter I adopted Sofia from: http://www.kittyshelter.co.za/adopt_cat.html & I’ll do a post soon as well.
I’m so excited for you 🙂
W