Orchid Blog

My comment is actually a question? So, someone please help me...I have four blooming orchids/stems in my one pot now. (It was a gift.) So, should I add 3 ice cubes for EACH plant, for a total of 12 ice cubes? I really don't want to kill this beautiful plant, so please give me some advice. Thanks:-)

Karen, yes I've been told to add three ice cubes per stem/plant. I have two stems, so I add six. 12 sounds like a lot, maybe error on the side too few and go with 9 cubes, unless they are all full size, then I would go with the all 12.

Can someone tell me why my flowers have fallen off my orchid and is this suppose to happen. Will it develop more flowers? The leaves are huge and green, and otherwise looks like a healthy plant. I have only been giving it 3 ice cubes even though it has two stalks. Can someone help me?

Karen,

What size pot did your orchid come in? Also are all 4 stems coming from the same plant or are there multiple plants in the pot?

Just Add Ice Support

Can you please tell me what type of soil is use to repot the Ice Orchid? I brought one of my Mother. for Mother's Day and she loves it. Plus I got one two. Mom's is Purple mine is Pink. JC of Bridgton, Maine

I love the 3 ice cube watering idea and have used it for a couple of months.However, another seasoned grower suggested that the ice could damage the roots exposed on the top of the soil. Please comment on this.

Tracy,
From the research we have preformed at our orchid facility and by trialing the ice watering method with consumers, we have found no indication that the ice affects the roots or inhibits plant growth in any way. We feel very confident in recommending this watering method.

Joan,
When repotting your Just Add Ice Orchid, use a soil that is specifically for orchids (and should resemble the soil it's currently planted in), which can be found at any garden center that carries orchids. However, you shouldn't need to repot your new Just Add Ice Orchid until after it has bloomed again (in about 1 year).

My leafs are turning yellow and then fall off. I have two stems. I just got this Orchid for Mothers Day and have never owned one. Please help I don't want to lose it. I am going to add six ice cubes this week instead of two.

Thank You for this website. I've been leary of buying orchids because of the expense, and of friends failures with orchids. My first venture has been wonderful! I plan to acquire more "Ice Orchids", when they next become available in my area. Thank You, again.

I have two questions: 1) do these orchids ever need to be fertilized, 2) I have also two other plants that are not "just add ice orchids" and my question is can I also use the 3 ice cube watering method for them as well.

Starshi,
Please refer to our Care While Blooming section on the website to ensure that you have your orchid in the proper environment (in-direct light, non-drafty area). Also, our watering recommendation is "3 Ice Cubes once per Week", which goes by how many plants you have per container. If both flower spikes are attached to the same plant, you only need to water with 3 ice cubes. Hope this help!

Frances,
To answer your questions, yes, your Just Add Ice Orchid does need to be fertilized. But compared to other potted plants they require a lot less fertilizer. Once a month with a standard 20-20-20 fertilize at half the recommended rate is enough. As for your second question, you can use the ice cube watering method on other Phalaenopsis orchids (like the one you have) that are planted in the same media. However, for other houseplants, you'll have to experiment on the correct number of ice cubes to used (depending on what kind of plants they are and the size of the pots).

I recieved my orchid in March and it had two flower spikes with flowers on each. They slowly fell off and my spikes became brown. I removed the spikes. The leaves and roots look healthy and green. How often do orchids blossom? Is there something I can do to encourage it to produce new blossoming flower spikes?

Martha,
You're Just Add Ice Orchid blooms about once a year. To help promote a new flower spike, move your Just Add Ice Orchid to a slightly cooler location for about a month. This difference in temperature induces the formation of new flower spikes. For further information, visit our Care After Blooming page on the website on the section titled Trigger Re-blooming. Also, read our blog about the Added Bonus to Watering with Ice about the benefits on continuing to water with ice cubes to prehaps induce flowering.
Just Add Ice Orchids Support

I just bought 2 Ice Orchids 1 week ago. Already one has wilty looking roots and has already dropped a flower, and a few buds have fallen off. They are on my dining room table with a west window but direct sun doesn't get them. What's going on. I have had 3 orchids in the past and have killed all 3. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thank you

Janet,
Review the Care section on the website to make sure you have your orchid placed in the proper location: http://www.justaddiceorchids.com/care-while-blooming.

Also, make sure your orchid is away from any drafts or low humidity (due to air conditioning), which can cause moisture loss from the buds and flowers.

And be sure to keep your orchid away from ripening fruits and vegetables, which give off ethylene gas that can cause sudden flower and bud drop.

What size of ice cube do we use? My ice cubes are about 1 1/2 inches long, 1 inch x 1 inch in cross section. Do we use ice cubes like the ones you get in a hotel/motel ice maker? Similar to the ones you show in your pictures?

When melted, the 3 ice cubes should be equivalent to 1/4 cup of water.