I’m a gardening whizz – here’s how you can make your dying orchids last for years instead of chucking them out
YOU’VE probably bought an orchid in a panic when you need to get someone a present and don’t know what else to buy for them, and you’ve probably been gifted one by someone else at some point.
But if you don’t know how to take care of them they usually end up in the bin in a matter of weeks.
But you don’t have to chuck them out just yet, a gardening pro has shared how you can make your orchids last for years with a simple trick.
Pro gardener, Mo, posted the trick on her TikTok account @apollo.jeeper and explained exactly what you need to do.
She said: “You know when you impulsively buy and orchid or somebody gifts it to you and then all the flowers fall off and it dies, so you just throw it away.
“This is how I’ve learnt to take care of them instead of throwing them away,” she shared.
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All you have to do is remove the plant from it’s pot and clean the roots in your sink, getting rid of all the dirt and moss.
Mo explained: “You don’t want any moss leftover, then you want to clip the dead roots off, they’ll be stringy or black and slimy – you can just tell they’re dead.”
After the dead roots have been cut off, give it another rinse to ensure it’s completely free from moss and dirt.
“The stem will not produce any more blooms so sadly you’ll have to cut the stem off,” she added.
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Finally, put the plant into a jar or pot and fill with water, “you don’t have to completely cover the roots in water, just enough for it to touch,” Mo said.
After the plant’s been left in the sun for a while it’ll grow new roots and eventually will bloom flowers again.
Just remember to drain the water every two weeks and check for root rot and get rid of any that have died.