Reviving your withering beauty, a guide to saving overwatered orchids at home

Orchids favour humid air, warmth, and light shade. They are demanding plants, with cultivation being anything but straightforward. However, the striking appearance of orchids has continued to maintain their popularity. Orchid growers admit that watering these plants is the most challenging aspect of their care, as overwatering can promote rot. Luckily, there's a way to save overwatered orchids.

Overwatering orchids isn't the only cause of rot; excessive fertilization can also lead to the same problem. The substrate in which the orchid grows should be light, permeable, and porous. If the soil is too dense, it can harm the orchid's root system, preventing it from absorbing essential minerals and water, eventually leading to rot and death.

The ideal orchid substrate includes clay pebbles, peat, or pine bark. Combining all three components creates the perfect conditions for the orchid's growth and prevents root rot.

Even dying plants can be saved with simple procedures. The most crucial step is the drying and removal of rotten roots. Always cut them using disinfected scissors. Treat the cut-off points with cinnamon to prevent any infection. The orchid should then be placed in the fresh substrate.

The repotted orchid requires appropriate care. How we water the plant is also fundamental. Ensure that the substrate is dry before adding more water to avoid overwatering.

A mixture of water and cinnamon can also aid a dying plant. Soak the roots in boiled, cooled, and filtered water mixed with two heaping teaspoons of cinnamon. After soaking for 30 minutes, the orchid can be returned to its pot.