Phalaenopsis Orchid Care :Trimming Dead Roots, Removing old Orchid Blooms & Cleaning Orchid Leaves

[@sweetcanada17]

Last year I received an orchid from an aunt after my grandfather passed away. It was done blooming at the end of September 2017, and now I saw 6 new buds on it! I’m just so thrilled about that. :) Too me this is very symbolic, as in: new life after death.

[@melip.9027]

Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[@tashritchie3832]

Warms my heart to see the rescued orchid doing so well

[@tara_27244]

I remember watching that repot video! Glad it recuperated!

[@jackie26085]

So glad to see that orchid has survived!

[@allanmcelroy]

Thanks for this how to guide Brad - after following your lead, I'm hoping that a lovely Phal that my wife and I received as a gift will recover from being waterlogged in sphagnum moss (and probably a little too much kindness from us...). Oh, and I was glad to see how well your rescued plant has done in one of your later videos - I can only hope ours does that well! Cheers from Brisbane, Australia.

[@lukki7ster]

Glad I watched this video. I actually thought the roots in my plant were dead, but they aren't! And now i know that if and when the petals fall off, it might not be done yet!

[@saltlifegull4091]

wow, excellent video! Thanks so much. Subscriber from Florida.

[@kathygilbreath6073]

Thank you for showing closeups of what you are doing. Love your videos on orchids. Thanks for sharing

[@regszikora695]

Received an Orchid to-day, so here I am. Also an Anthurium, Now I will watch your channel and learn something!!

[@FallenAngel-he5ko]

Just bought my 1st orchid. Really raw over here

[@mikesunboxing]

Very helpful info, thanks

[@AwesomeShelbiNicole]

Your orchids are beautiful. I recently bought one and these videos are a definitely helping.

[@BradsGreenhouse]

AwesomeShelbiNicole thanks, Happy growing!

[@memorydandaroy1618]

Excellent video I learned a couple of things. Thank you.

[@brendatrump5163]

I'm glad you saved its life!!! I love my orchids!!!

[@LittleGhoul]

Your note about the spike showing up under the third leaf was so informative. I was wondering where to expect my spikes to show up.

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Thanks, happy to help!

[@tracystanley5876]

@@BradsGreenhouse can you please share your recipe with alcohol, water and soap.

[@rindamiller7927]

I'm a beginner so I will be joining daily, thanks!

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Awesome, welcome to the greenhouse!

[@BrokenGoods]

thanks :) I just got into orchids and your videos help allot.

[@Fayeoftheforest_1111]

Glad I found your channel! I have an orchid that has rotten roots and is potted terribly. But it has a new leaf growing, new roots and a stalk so I know there’s hope to rescue it! Going to check out the other video you Linked thanks!

[@joyceruserious7920]

I would like to see a little greenhouse tour? Wonderful informative videos, love them. I really appreciate people like you who share all this information with us newbies.

[@miss30427]

Thanks for the information on Phalaenopsis spikes appearing beneath the third leaf. I appreciate the point you made about cutting the non-producing stalk I needed to hear that. I'm following your advice for orchid care very closely. Thank you very much. Columbus, Georgia (January 16, 2016)

[@angels1mom]

WOW Brad, THANK U SO MUCH for your wonderful, informative videos...I too just found you...and you taught me so many things that I didn't know about caring for my little beauties. YOU are awesome....I will continue watching....

[@karimnash939]

can u tell me the quantities of the cleaning solution ? thanks a lot

[@Freesingskills19]

ive been blindly caring for about 10 orchids, and b/c i have a green thumb, somehow theyve been 'fine,' but this info, i'm sure, will give them a new lease on life...thanks!

[@latishasuarez1366]

I just got an orchid for mother's day. When I got it I repot it in the wrong pot to start of with & its roots were bad & damaged. Had to repot again in the right pot within a month's time.. Yes. I kept the stem with the blooms. When the flowers all fall off. I'll cut the stem. I hope my orchid will survive.

[@sarahal-ajeel4047]

Thank you, sir. You just saved my orchid!

[@LINDAOZAG]

Thank you. I will now get my orchids from a greenhouse!

[@TheMscolie]

Thank you for the information Brad! I have one orchid right now and I've been trying to get it to rebloom. I would also like to tell you that I am Canadian and that I could tell you are Canadian from your voice. It made me happy. :)

[@BradsGreenhouse]

mscolie haha your welcome and yes, im in BC

[@sylar1989]

Love your setup, puts my orchid greenhouse to shame lol, all I have are a few of those little green hot houses on the left of the video. I always enjoy watching your videos and getting useful info.

[@orchidlover9537]

Glad to see that the phal with the rotted roots is doing fine.:)

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Yes! I'm hopeful for a spike in the fall.

[@simonejans1915]

Wow... Beautiful Plants. I'am a big fan. Sweet greetings from Germany.

[@DougieDoug94]

Excellent video! I subscribed right away. :)

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Lynda Douglas thanks Lynda!

[@fitgirlzc631]

Very helpful for a beginner like myself!

[@itztrey8438]

very helpful video for me as i am now starting to plant orchids thank you

[@RocketScientistNick]

Hey Brad, I found a phaleanopsis orchid in my student home that someone left behind as they moved out. It had one cut off spike and the other was yanked out (left a hole in the stem with mold). The two bottom leaves were yellow and limp and had to be removed. The pot and medium seems to be fine for now. By now it has produced a new, healthy leaf and is starting to form new roots. My problem is: I have already found four new beginning spikes and I think I spotted another one pushing against the bottom of the cut off spike. Also, it is producing a keiki at the base. Five spikes and a keiki seems a bit much for an orchid that was rather sickly from underwatering only 2-ish months ago. Should I remove some of the spike "buds"? Thanks!

[@sparkcreativeservices7274]

THANK YOU! i am a new orchid grower ... this is so helpful.

[@BradsGreenhouse]

laura ziebell kayata your welcome

[@Winniesminis3]

I work at a care home and one of the ladies has an orchid and it hasn't been in bloom since last Christmas (2013). I've cut the spike down and it has grown a ton of new leaves but we're getting frustrated. She's so excited for it to bloom.

[@sirMAXX77]

Amazing video! Thank you! I have a friend gave me hers, she was frustrated and weeks before she asked me about how to care for her orchid. I only knew a little, now that she gave it to me, I hope to revive it. There are some concerning areas, it looks like it is going dormant, the spikes are dying, there are new roots sprouting but with black areas around the bases. the base of the plant itself has some black area and I'm determining if it's gone rotten. it doesn't smell it at all, but I suspect it was over watered. I haven't watered it yet in the few days I've had it. I will go over the roots like you did here and cut both spikes just above the node, like you showed here. I'll make that solution too. I have some sewing scissors, they seem pretty sharp, I hope they will be safe for the plant. I'm a little weary on watering it, even though it looks like it really needs it. I also feel the same with repotting, I don't want to shock it, or kill it. Although there is a root that is stuck in the planter pot, in one of the vents.

[@cassiewaltz2387]

I have a Phal that got highly stressed and too much light and all leaves died off. I'm trying to find information on whether I can cut back the base of the leaf area to promote brand new growth. Great video btw!

[@marthamydear7499]

Love your videos!!!! Thanks!!!!

[@fificorina]

I just watched now the video on how you make and use your home made liquid sterilizer for plants. I wonder how many other helpful videos of your i missed :) About the flower spikes, after this video i am very confused, when to cut or if i should cut them or not. :)

[@BradsGreenhouse]

This orchid sat like that for months not doing anything with that spike so after that amount of time I cut them.

[@hildarivera4757]

God sent video, I have a wobbly phal also and it bloomed, but now it is struggling with the next blooms to open. The new pointed roots look brown instead of green, HELP what should I do?

[@Skridles]

I subscribed but where do I find your video explaining the recipe for the cleaning solution? I see lots of others asking, but thought I'd try my luck too. Thank you!

[@ritafield382]

would the orchid be okay , if you trimmed some of its healthy roots back, so you wouldn't have to get a larger pot ?

[@Momastray]

I'm subscribing to your channel because I know i can learn a lot from your videos. I watch these on my iPad and I'm probably the only one who's ever mentioned this, but I wish you talked just a little louder. Thank you for your great videos!

[@nkkny1]

Ahh I see it now. Glad it's growing a new leaf!

[@onewomanwonderful]

Very helpful. Am a novice orchid caregiver. I have a phal that lost its blooms some time ago. Was not trimmed down. The two spikes have grown quite long. Looks like there is some growth happening (buds) from one of the spikes. Do you ever trim from the top of the plant?

[@growingthings6232]

its so cool that the phal is recovering from its hellish state. This is a testament to how Phals are one of the easiest to grow for the beginner they come back from the dead lol

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Haha, yeah I should put Phal NOID "walker" on the tag .... Since it's back from the dead.

[@growingthings6232]

lol

[@rehanamanejwala576]

Where do you live

[@maggietorres06]

Hello, I recently received an orchid for mothers day. ..I'm having issues with the roots. .they're still a little green, but they are breaking every inch or two. I don't want to do something I'm not supposed to that's why I wanted to see what you suggest. The stems on the flowers are turning white only a few are green..?I don't know what I'm doing. .don't want this beautiful orchid to die on me. What should I do?

[@rlmurphy8004]

I received a phil.orchid in January as a gift - the roots are now coming out top of container - from your videos that appears normal but wondering (since I have no idea when it was planted) how long I should wait before repotting? Thanks!

[@Susan-mo9mr]

hello Brad, first of thanks for all the information you have shared with us all. I have a question for you. I have a scorpion orchid and some coconut fiber and some green Spanish moss, can I re-pot the plant in a combination of those things, its still in the plastic cup I bought it in. Thanks.

[@carmelianmontessori8980]

What kind of soap do you use pls? Thanks

[@TaylorWinfrey]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@BradsGreenhouse]

+Taylor Winfrey Your Welcome!

[@pamelahall3387]

any particular soap? What do you do about the roots when they grow above the pot

[@lynnetriana289]

Fantastic video and well informative. Thank you :)

[@dragonflywhisperer6412]

cool update she looks good i have a ? i saved a orchid in almost same situation color on her is same is it a certain type or is it do to stress of plant...thnks

[@curiosidadesextrano]

Should the roots be sticking out of the pot? I've seen videos where the roots are completely covered and then ones like in your video where they are above the soil. So I'm a bit confused. Thanks in advance.

[@martaborn9051]

I recently purchased a mini phelaenopsis, at most 8 inches tall. It was in the clearance section at my local grocery, and it was just so cute. I've had it for a couple weeks and it's still in bloom but recent;y the blooms have started to shrivel. After some research, I took immediate action to see what the roots looked like. They were ALL dead, save HALF of one root. I noticed that a lot of the roots were previously cut, and the base was enclosed in some kind of thick sponge, and it was just awful. I mean there was just slime and all the roots were hollow. I snipped off all the roots, save that little half of root, and then I dabbed some peroxide on it. I'm keeping the poor thing in a plastic container just to dry out now. Do you have a recommendation of how I can ensure the life of my mini?

[@ArtCassidyMoon]

after my plant bloomed i cut the 2 spikes down but i don t think i cut them down enough and now i have 2 new sets of 3 leaves on 2 spikes. what do i need to do , can i i cut the 3 leaves some how and re pot them? any help is appreciated-thank you

[@natashalindner2059]

Thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge, I have one that really needs this love and care.

[@hildatubbiolo5135]

Hello Brad, can you please give me advice on what to do with my Phalaenopsis orchid? I trimmed off all of her rotting roots and some weak light green ones too. I dipped the stalk where the roots where growing from in root hormone and put it in new orchid bark.

[@MrHandoverfist]

Brad...I Am Really Glad I found You!! I just bought a few Orchids of the Variety You are Working with in this Video......I wonder would planting them in Expanded Clay Pellets would be Good or should i Specifically Stick to the moss and wood chips? Thanks! Kat In Alaska

[@trina941]

I have a 3 year old orchid. Its got alot of roots going all over. It just bloomed one main stem with two branches off of it. My question is qre the roots suppose to be growing all over the place or just down around the pot? How do I get me orchid to grow upwards instead of outwards? I turn it often towards the most light but it has a mind of its own and tends to grow outward instead of upward. I used a thin bamboo stick but it still grew outwards. When I tried to tie back as the stem grew it broke regardless of how careful I was. It took 3 years but now I get a bloom every year. Also should I remove any bottem leaves or leave them all alone unless they qre dead? I have removed dead at the base but I seem to only be loosing one leaf a year as a new one grows. I think I need to put it in a bigger pot also. Should I wait till the blooms fall off or can I do it now as its blooming? Is clear glass vase ok? Stick with a pot just bigger for the new growth? Thanks in advance.

[@solepapion3123]

I just purchased an orchid that has alot of dead root with heathly root around the dead bits (heathly area, dead area,health area all on the same root.) Should all of that root be trimmed back? I am getting ready to repot it into a container with better drainage and better meleia

[@evakralova963]

Hi Brad. I bought a philaenopsis and it bloomed veru well. After the flowers fell of I reported it and now the top of the plant it has gone yellow. Does that need cutting off?

[@Winniesminis3]

Hey Brad I'm wondering if mixing a little potting soil into my orchid pot is any good for it? I bought those little mini orchids from the grocery store and they were dead and half off. Should I repot them or will the be okay in the tiny pot (I'm talking like a 2 inch pot). They won't seem to bloom although they are growing new leaves.

[@jessicafaisandier7986]

Hello. I was recently given two orchids. I think I have figured out they are phalaenopsis orchids. One is growing a new stem and is about 15cm high. The tip has started to turn black - is it dying or sick? Do you have any tips?

[@vrestall]

I have a fairly new phalaenopsis which has multiple steams with the small flowers. After the original flowers died off I didn't cut the stems and within 6 weeks new buds sprouted on the tips of the old stems. I gave it a few weeks to make sure I didn't cut off any new buds and now along with the new buds are tiny leafs growing with baby roots! How and when should I propagate these little wonders.

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Yay! Congrats! Sound like it is very happy with your care. Maybe it will produce a keiki for you.

[@vrestall]

Thats exactly what i have, there are 4 of them. How and when do i pot them?

[@socialbutterfly2326]

Hi Brad, my question is my orchids have big long floppy leafs that are heavy and hang down pulling on the plant to fall out of the pot. what can I do? Thanks :)

[@SharonPelton]

Great videos and info. Would you please share the formula and proportions for you homemade orchid leaf cleaner and pest killer? Thanks

[@BradsGreenhouse]

sure it is 50% water, 50% isopropyl alcohol and a teaspoon of Blue Dawn dish soap. other soap may work, but not sure... blue dawn has 101 uses haha

[@kristinewilley8414]

SharonPelton I

[@yolandasese949]

Thanks

[@xX_Olive_Oyl_Xx]

Hi Brad, I found your channel today while looking for information in regards to my phalaenopsis. i repotted yesterday from the original pot to a new larger pot. The original was a gift and came in a pot with tiny little decorative holes. the air roots had grown through them and when i removed the orchid i broke these off. will this damage my orchid? Thank you in advance.

[@shaneserowe883]

Hi Brad, I recently started growing a Phalaenopsis and a Vanda I bought at a flower show. After watching a couple of your videos, I realized that the Phala had a bad root system and I made severe cuts so now, it hardly has any. The Vanda has one structure at the bottom that I think is a root. I live in Jamaica and it's summer, I've potted both plants in plastic pots using as medium stones, Spanish moss and coconut bark. Please tell me what to do to get a healthy roots. I've had both orchids a week now. I also have a desert rose so if you have any tips other from neglect; please share.

[@littlelittle10]

Will the stem regrow and bloom flowers again if you cut it off? I got the orchid last valentines day and its atill healthy and growing lots of roots and leaves im just waiting on actual flowers.

[@leighhamilton9400]

Hi, Brad - I'm new to orchids and am starting with phals of course. Mine has lost all but one bloom with lovely green leaves and even new leaf growth. I see some new roots starting too so I'm very pleased. I have a few dead roots though; should I cut them off now or wait until the last bloom falls? Also, would putting a dish of water near the orchid be enough to bump up the humidity for the plant? I spritz leaves, stem and blooms very lightly with water almost daily. Is that too much?

[@joekellyrodriguez2854]

HELP! I have aerial roots that are 2 feet long and taking over the table that my orchids are on. Just found out that it was a water problem in my pot....I had sitting water with bacteria in the exterior pot...YIKES!!!. I have taken the plants out of their exterior pots and will let them air out ...but I will need to re-pot my orchids. Can I cut the aerial roots when I repot? They are really taking over. Thank for you help!!! Reply

[@hildarivera4757]

Brad can you use any kind of soap like detergent soap or dishwashing liquid? What color are the root tips suppose to be and do they have to stay outside of the pot when repotting? Thank you so much, I needed to get this info, loved it,very good video : )

[@marcmattulat6585]

Hi! I learned that Phals want to be potted up in translucent pots as their roots need light for photosynthesis. Now I see your plants in clay or regular plastic pots. Is that why your Phals are pushing out so many air roots? Mine, sitting in translucent pots, never push out that many air roots. And the roots of my Phals are green.

[@krisgreen1704]

My new roots on my orchid are all pointing upwards and are quite long do you just leave them like that

[@andrealves6406]

Hi Brad, That's a great video, thanks for that!!May I ask you what the ratio of alcohol, soap and water is please? Thanks!

[@trinaportner4125]

I was given in Orchid and I watched a lot of videos and some say they need a lot of sun and some say they just need light so what do they basically need I have never had one of these plans before I have been exploring on you to to see what I can find out and just planted I get it was in a pot but didn't have any soil around it so I went and bought some orchid plant dirt and did put it in a different time and do these should be in a big pot or a small pot can you help me and tell me what to do to keep this thing Orchid plant going

[@growmance2191]

I found out one of my orchid that about to bloom air layer roots are dead and am not sure why. I think it maybe cause I rescued them from Walmart,Home Depot and Target. They dont always treat their plants nicely..

[@mt.unionhoneyfarms4487]

Nice video.

[@Paul-mn8ql]

I have an old phalaenopsis orchid with leathery leaves on the bottom and new healthy leaves on the top. Should I cut off the old leaves?

[@MaruyaSAg]

For Phals that are several-many years old, the base tends to be very long after leaves have died off over the years. (Imagine a leggy Kalanchoe - long stem with roots, leaves concentrated on upper portion.) It's a problem when repotting because it would need a very deep pot to cover that very long base. My question - Can the base be trimmed off/cut off without killing the Phal? The very end of the base has both live and dead roots.

[@lindalane6880]

loved it and learned so much! Thanks~

[@alexisrux2223]

how is black jack doing the phal with crown rot and the base keiki

[@maggietorres06]

Hello again didn't know if you received my post. .but I'm having problems with the roots and flowers. Roots are breaking every inch. .roots still look a little green. .but doesn't look healthy to me..i don't know what I'm doing. .and the stems that go to the flower are turning white only a few are green. ..what am I doing wrong? Please help, don't want my orchid to die on me... thanks

[@thanhduong7817]

Can you tell me how to make the solution to clean the leaves? What is the ratio of alcohol : water : soap. What kind of soap you use? Greatly appreciate 👍

[@robertareeder1159]

Being a beginner, can you expand on what soil to use and when to repot and how? Thank you.

[@lchat9408]

Today I repotted a orchid from Home Depot. The roots were so ingrained in the pot that I had to cut it on the sides. Somehow my scissors slipped, and I think I might have cut the root on one of the orchids. I just went ahead and re-potted it into a special orchid pot, can anyone advise what I should do next? I think it’s a slice of a vine that’s underneath the root of the plant but I can’t tell because the root were tangled.

[@layd33sify]

I NEED HELP!! My Orchids main spike is turning brown which I think is dying. However on the main spike, another one has grown from it which has bloomed 7 flowers. If it browns all the way down, I may lose the green Spike that has the seven flowers on it which is coming from the main Spike. What do I do!?

[@deblance1925]

When the leaves starts to turn yellow should you cut it off

[@elbertv1512]

Great video! Very helpful as I am beginning to plant phals. If you don't mine, what are the measurements for the alcohol, soap, and water solution?

[@BradsGreenhouse]

Elbert V thanks, it is 50/50 water alcohol and a teaspoon of blue dawn dishsoap in about 500mls

[@terriemears]

Hi I have a Phalaenopsis with beautiful pink flowers, it is one of those the says water once a week with 3 ice cubs, and I do spray the leaves with orchard leaf spray, my problem is all the beautiful green leaf have all wilted and none of them are standing tall like when I first got it and I have had it for 2 months, can you help me please, I would hate to lose her? Thank you, Tink

[@BradsGreenhouse]

***** sounds like root rot has dehydrated the leaves. repot it and check the root. don't water with ice cubes as it is probably what killed the roots to start with. Tropical plants don't like ice cubes

[@terriemears]

***** Thank you so much. Tink

[@limnancy5146]

Mine took a year to bloom. But they bloomed. How often does your bloom ?

[@nshvelidze]

Can you give the link for the video that you mention from last year about how to make the alcohol and soap solution?

[@anamekad]

Would you have fertilized by to get it going?..which led to new roots?

[@marlinabasir]

I noticed my onci and dendro and another type I forgot immediately grew a new cane when the old flower, canes are almost dying.but my phal hasn't..it looks fine though.is this normal?

[@melissatai4006]

Is it useful to fertilize an orchid right after repotting? I've never fertilized mine.

[@ana-mariabadea4701]

Hello Brad, I am really very glad that I have found your channel. I really love orchids and magnolias and at the moment I have a Cymbidium and a Phalaenopsis :D. In this video, I have seen you also have a flower which seems like mine. Mine is a baby-plant taken from my grandma's plant but I wasn't able to make it bloom and I don't even know it's name :( I just wanted to ask you how can I send you a photo and maybe if you can give me some advice with this plant too when you can?? :) Thank you for all the videos you make, they are extraordinary!! P.S.: The soap used for the solution you're talking about is neutral?? or what kind of soap may be used? Thanks again ;)