A gardening expert has shared a simple method that could help weak orchids recover and bloom for up to 20 years. In a video titled 'How To Keep Your Orchid Alive For 20 Years', Jessie from @growithjessie demonstrated her technique for reviving the challenging houseplants.
Jessie explained that orchids often die because they are kept in bark or soil, but growing them in water instead can help them thrive much longer. She said: "Orchids have a bad rep because they die so easily, but I figured out a way to keep them alive basically forever... Or at least 20 years. I heard if you put your orchid in water and leave it there for eternity, it will thrive a lot more than it does sitting in bark or soil."
Why orchids appear dead
Jessie noted that many people throw orchids away when the flowers fall off, but this is unnecessary. She said: "Orchids require bright light, and they also are seasonal bloomers, which means the flowers fall off in the winter, but they grow back in the summer, so a lot of people think they need to throw them out when the flowers fall off, but they don't because they grow back."
In the video, Jessie removed her orchid from its container. While the upper part of the plant looked damaged, the roots were bright green and still healthy.
How to check roots and switch to water
By looking at the colour and condition of the roots, orchid owners can tell which plants are worth saving. Jessie carefully separated the roots so they were not tangled together.
She then placed the orchid back into its container without any bark or compost and filled it with water. Growing orchids in water is known as "water culture orchids" or "hydroponic orchids".
According to specialists at Gardening Know How, this method can improve the health of struggling orchids. Most orchids grow well in a bark-based mix, but if the roots become too wet, they can develop root rot. Removing the potting medium and growing them in water instead can prevent common moisture problems.
When orchids are grown in water, they usually alternate between wet and dry periods, spending several days in water followed by about five days drying out.
