Why are my orchid flowers dying after only 2 weeks?

Sadly, sometimes just taking an orchid from a nice humid greenhouse into an overheated car and then into an airconditioned house can cause the blooms to die prematurely. It's especially common in winter, the cold shock and then the dry house air will blast the flowers.



Getting water on the petals will also kill the flowers.

Or, it could have been near the end of blooming naturally.



Orchids usually bloom better the year after they've gotten settled in your house, if the conditions are right.

Why are my orchid flowers dying after only 2 weeks?
always place an asprin in the warter, and then cut the steams of the flower under water so it will soak up water as its done. my mom is the head gardener for the state of louisiana. she kept flowers beautiful through the year.



Jan
Reply:never put them in the sun and never touch the flowers the acid on your skin kills them
Reply:Keep this in mind for all types of orchids that are cut:



It might have been how you cared for them but fresh cut flowers(if they were cut) don't last very long in the first place. To make orchids last longer you should cut the stems with sharp scissors under water (about 100F). Soak them in luke-warm water for a couple of minutes if they seem to be wilting and make sure the water you are holding them in is warm as well. You should keep them out of direct sunlight, so a cool room would be a great place for them if they've already bloomed (just don't leave them in a drafty room, because that could harm them).



If your flowers are potted, use these care instructions (i'm assuming your orchid is a dendrobium orchid because it is very common, if not you can check the site I will list as my source and look up specific care for the type of orchid you have):



Temperature: The ideal day temperature is 75-85 °F, while the ideal night temperature is 60-65 °F. Occasional temperature extremes are tolerated if exposure is not prolonged.



Light: These dendrobiums enjoy full morning sun, but will require shading between 11am and 3pm - less shading will be needed in late afternoon. An overhead light source is most effective.



Water: Phalaenopsis-type dendrobiums grow best when their potting medium becomes dry between waterings. They are epiphytes in Nature, (i.e. - they grow on trees) and are accustomed to becoming fairly dry between the rains of their natural habitat.



Repot: Repot once every two years in Spring, after blooming, or when new growth starts. A mix of 10 parts fine-grade Fir-bark and 1 part orchid mix will work well in 6" pots and smaller, while medium-grade Fir-bark works well in larger pots.



Feeding: High-nitrogen fertilizers (25-9-9) can be used year-round at one teaspoon per gallon of water. Feed once a month.





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QUICK CARE FOR YOUR DENDROBIUM:



1. Choose a spot for it and move it from that spot as little as possible.



2. Once the plant gets acclimated to a certain location, they tend to stay the healthiest when left in one spot.



3. After you receive the plant wait 10-12 days before watering it, after the first watering, water it once a week. When watering is complete, ensure that all the residual water has drained from the bottom of the pot before replacing it to a new one.
Reply:It is likely that you got these at the end of a bloom cycle or you are over watering. Orchids are flowers that maintain their blooms a very long time and re-bloom for a long time as well. BUT when they quit blooming they quit for a long time. Just maintain your usual schedule of watering(do NOT overwater--this is VITAL) You will not be disappointed they will bloom again and again for years...watch out for scale and mealy bugs.