Hello from the UK! Sick Orchids?

[JamesOrchids]

Hi Everyone,

I'm James and I'm from the UK!

Background Info: I work in a Garden Centre so when Birthdays and Events come up, I usually pick up an Orchid and think nothing more of it. It wasn't until I noticed one downstairs that I gifted to my mother, just stud there with no flowers. She was about to chuck it away when I stopped her and took it on my self. I've since trimmed it down but I'm not convinced it's too healthy. (1 spike)


After rescuing this non blooming Orchid, I wanted to purchase one that I could appreciate in bloom, so I bought one from work for myself. Which has since stopped blooming but seems healthy enough.(2 spikes)


A few months down the line (about two weeks ago now)
I purchased this lovely white orchid (3 spikes) and this picture was taken today, and is now in full bloom and looking wonderful.



Last week I noticed this one in a sale for £5, so obviously I picked it up! This ones flowers do seem to be wilting a bit, but also has un opened blooms.. is this normal?


And finally, just last night I was given this Orchid...
I've since noticed this morning at least two small white insect looking things and a tiny little web, which I have looked online and the closest thing I can compare too is White Fly? How should I treat this?



I fear the little pest may have spread to my other plants now? and is there any advice on my first non blooming orchid, I don't think she's too healthy.

[PaphLover]

My quick evaluation of your first plant is that, based on the elongated and narrow leaves, it hasn't received enough light. Also, I see some ridges on the leaves which can mean that it was under watered at some point. The green roots that I can see look healthy, so it doesn't appear to be dehydrated due to root rot.

Your fourth plant is gorgeous! Envious you picked that up for $5. Nice snag! Yes, I've had flowers die away while others open and bloom, but wilting flowers can also be a sign that the plant has been under watered (common at stores that have no idea how to care for orchids). The roots on that one now look green and healthy too, so you seem to be doing a great job!

I'm sure you will get lots of advice from the experts soon.

Welcome to Orchid Board!

[estación seca]

It looks like you're coming down with a case of Orchid Sickness yourself. Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Your plants are in good shape. You will be able to read more about them and take good care of them. If there's an orchid society near you, I highly recommend you join and go to meetings.

And by all means read about your 19th Century UK horticultural predecessors. They were amazing growers.

[JamesOrchids]

Originally Posted by PaphLover

My quick evaluation of your first plant is that, based on the elongated and narrow leaves, it hasn't received enough light. Also, I see some ridges on the leaves which can mean that it was under watered at some point. The green roots that I can see look healthy, so it doesn't appear to be dehydrated due to root rot.

Your fourth plant is gorgeous! Envious you picked that up for $5. Nice snag! Yes, I've had flowers die away while others open and bloom, but wilting flowers can also be a sign that the plant has been under watered (common at stores that have no idea how to care for orchids). The roots on that one now look green and healthy too, so you seem to be doing a great job!

I'm sure you will get lots of advice from the experts soon.

Welcome to Orchid Board!

Thanks for the reply!
The first plant definitely was neglected for a while, and I also took it out of its pot about a week ago to remove the dead roots, since putting it back in, I've noticed its not tight in the pot and moves around quite a bit.

---------- Post added at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

It looks like you're coming down with a case of Orchid Sickness yourself. Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Your plants are in good shape. You will be able to read more about them and take good care of them. If there's an orchid society near you, I highly recommend you join and go to meetings.

And by all means read about your 19th Century UK horticultural predecessors. They were amazing growers.

I've certainly caught the bug!
I know theres a big meet up coming up in a few weeks time at a local garden centre, 20th anniversary one. So I'm planning on going down there.