orchid as a gift November 2024 - Ask Extension
It was a beautiful gift! That flower thrived for probably 8 months!
Thought the leaves looked healthy, upgraded the "dirt" specially for or...
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orchid as a gift November 2024 #923897
Asked January 24, 2026, 12:17 AM EST
It was a beautiful gift! That flower thrived for probably 8 months!
Thought the leaves looked healthy, upgraded the "dirt" specially for orchids and placed into a slightly roomier container. Then late summer it started to decline, Receives 4 ice cubes per week, always if on kitchen table getting bright indirect light. root looking lime green
Eaton County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Your orchid, Phalaenopsis amabilis, looks healthy! The roots look fine. They should be a light green color. Any dead brown roots, leaves, or stems can be pruned away.
I do have a question about the pot you used. Most often, the pots used for orchids are clear plastic with drainage holes. Many ceramic pots don't have drainage holes, and even if they do, they might not provide adequate drainage for orchids. Most growers use plastic pots and slip them into decorative ones. According to the American Orchid Society (AOS), this is called the "slip pot" method of potting orchids and some other succulents. The following article from the AOS offers great advice about repotting orchids.
https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/orchid-care-and-culture-sheets/repotting
The last thing I want to address is watering your orchid with ice cubes. I have found conflicting advice on this topic. Most sources say that orchids need tepid water, above 50 degrees. "Many of the tropical orchid varieties available in stores are epiphytes, species that grow by clinging onto other plants, so their roots are typically exposed." Placing ice cubes on exposed roots can eventually cause damage.
If you wish to use ice cubes, the suggestion is to bring them to room temperature and then water the plant.
Check out the following article from the New England Botanical Gardens that addresses this and several other questions about Phalaenopsis (see #4).
https://nebg.org/2023/02/21/orchids-dont-like-ice-cubes/
I hope this answers your question, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
Your orchid, Phalaenopsis amabilis, looks healthy! The roots look fine. They should be a light green color. Any dead brown roots, leaves, or stems can be pruned away.
I do have a question about the pot you used. Most often, the pots used for orchids are clear plastic with drainage holes. Many ceramic pots don't have drainage holes, and even if they do, they might not provide adequate drainage for orchids. Most growers use plastic pots and slip them into decorative ones. According to the American Orchid Society (AOS), this is called the "slip pot" method of potting orchids and some other succulents. The following article from the AOS offers great advice about repotting orchids.
https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/orchid-care-and-culture-sheets/repotting
The last thing I want to address is watering your orchid with ice cubes. I have found conflicting advice on this topic. Most sources say that orchids need tepid water, above 50 degrees. "Many of the tropical orchid varieties available in stores are epiphytes, species that grow by clinging onto other plants, so their roots are typically exposed." Placing ice cubes on exposed roots can eventually cause damage.
If you wish to use ice cubes, the suggestion is to bring them to room temperature and then water the plant.
Check out the following article from the New England Botanical Gardens that addresses this and several other questions about Phalaenopsis (see #4).
https://nebg.org/2023/02/21/orchids-dont-like-ice-cubes/
I hope this answers your question, but don't hesitate to contact us again if you have questions or need further information.
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.
