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FAQ

In addition to our beautiful orchids, we also want to have a positive influence on our environment in other ways. Our main goal is to transform to a more sustainable way of growing, without the use of fossil energy.

Buy a collection

Where can I buy an Opti-flor orchid?

Opti-flor orchids can be purchased at your local high-end garden centers and florists.
You can order online at www.optiflorshop.nl

Click here to see there your nearest Opti-flor dealer is located.

I am a florist and would like to sell the Opti-flor collection. How does that work?

Opti-flor does not directly deliver to florists. We sell our orchids through a close-knit international distribution network of more than 400 trading companies. These trading companies supply florists, garden center entrepreneurs and other points of sale of Opti-flor orchids. Would you also like to include orchids from our collection in your range? Send an e-mail to marketing@optiflor.nl and we kindly bring you in contact with one of our distributors.

Problems with my orchid

My orchid has had too much water and the roots are rotten. There are aerial roots on the plant. What can I do to save my orchid?

If the orchid has aerial roots, you do not need to throw away the plant. In that case you can use the aerial roots as new roots. Remove the rotten roots and put the aerial roots in the pot with new soil.

What is the sticky sunstance on the leaves and on the stem where the buds grow?

These are sugars from an overactive orchid. The orchid produces sugars. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about this. If you find this annoying, it is best to carefully remove the sugars from the leaves and stem with a lukewarm cloth.

My orchid is dropping buds. How is this possible?

The main cause of bud drop is cold, whether or not in combination with too much water or too little light. Make sure that the ambient temperature of your orchid is always at least 15°C and avoid drought. At lower temperatures the roots become inactive and the buds fall off.

Ethylene can cause buds to turn yellow, fall off and flowers to dry out. Sources that produce a lot of ethylene are many types of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, do not place your orchid near the fruit bowl.

The leaves of my orchid are drooping. This also remains the case when I water the plant again. What is going on?

You may be giving your plant too much water. With drooping leaves, on the other hand, people often think that the plant has too little water. It is wisest to check whether the roots are still good. If this is the case, do not water your orchid again for the next week. If, on the other hand, the roots are rotten, remove them and repot the plant with the aerial roots. Wait a while before watering.

The leaves of my orchid are turning yellow. What is going on?

Your orchid has probably been in the water for too long. It is also possible that your orchid has been in water that is too cold. This can cause the roots to rot, resulting in yellowing leaves, which eventually fall off the plant.

What types of pests can occur in an orchid?

The most common types of pests are mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, aphids, scale insects and snails. To purchase corrective measures against these types of pests, it is best to seek advice from a garden center in your area.

There are small white, pimpled bugs in my orchid. What are these and how do I get rid of them?

These are most likely mealybugs. It is quite difficult to get rid of these white, fluffy creatures. The only way to control the mealybug is to spray the plant with or immerse it in a biological pesticide that is dissolved in water. In case of a serious mealybug infestation, you may use double the dose indicated on the packaging.

Environment

Does the cultivation of these orchids damage the tropical rainforest?

Opti-flor attaches great importance to careful handling of nature. We therefore do not extract plants from the wild. We do this on the one hand to leave nature untouched and on the other hand to prevent any pestst from being imported.

How environmentally friendly are the Opti-flor collections grown?

We work with respect for people, nature and the environment and do everything we can to keep our environmental footprint to a minimum. The examples below are illustrative of how we try to contribute to a clean and environmentally friendly future.

  • The warm sections of our greenhouses are largely equipped with energy-saving double glazing, which means less energy needs to be consumed.
  • We provide approximately 50% of our energy supply by using geothermal heat. We pump hot water at a temperature of 85°C from wells at a depth of 2500 meters and use this to heat our greenhouses.
  • We collect rainwater in special silos and then use this as irrigation water for the plants.
  • We use a recirculation system to collect and recirculate the water we use in the greenhouses. Water is thus reused.
  • We make maximum use of biological crop protection. This means that, where possible, we use natural pest control agents to combat diseases and pests and limit the use of crop protection products to the absolute minimum.

Care tips

What is the best way to water?

Do not pour the water for the orchid into the heart of the plant, but rather onto the soil in the pot. Rainwater is better than tap water, which contains (too) much lime. Preferably water early in the day. It is even better to immerse the pot in a bucket for 5 to 10 minutes. The orchid can then survive without water for seven days. In its natural environment, the Phalaenopsis has high humidity. If you want to grow or get the plant to bloom again, this is best done in damp places, such as a kitchen, bathroom or conservatory.

How often should I water my orchid?

An orchid only needs water when the soil is reasonably dry and the roots in the pot are grey in color. Because this is difficult to see in a non-transparent decorative pot, you can use a dip stick. For example, a skewer is fine. Check once every 7 to 10 days to see if the skewer is dry. Is the skewer still damp? Then the plant does not need water yet. Is the stick dry? Then you need to water the plant. On average, it is sufficient to water the plant once every 7 to 10 days.

How do I know if my orchid is getting enough water?

The color of the roots is the best indication of whether your orchid is getting enough water. If the roots are green, the plant still has sufficient moisture. As soon as the roots turn gray, your orchid needs water.

What is the best soil to use for Phalaenopsis?

It is important that the Phalaenopsis is in airy soil that provides moisture-retaining drainage. Special orchid soil, which can be purchased at most garden centers, is necessary for this. Because there is often little food in the airy orchid soil, it is best to fertilize the Phalaenopsis via irrigation water. You can buy special orchid fertilizer for this. Fertilizing is necessary from March to October, about twice a month.

Do I need to fertilize my orchid?

Because there is often little food in the airy orchid soil, it is advisable to fertilize your Phalaenopsis occasionally. This is best done via irrigation water. You can buy special orchid fertilizer for this. Fertilizing is necessary from March to October, about twice a month.

How do I get the plant to bloom again?

To get the plant to bloom again after it has finished flowering, cut the branch(es) just above the second eye at the bottom of the plant. After a few weeks to a few months, a new branch will grow. After this, it is a matter of time before your Phalaenopsis blooms again.

Are new roots and leaves growing on the stem of my orchid? What do I do with this?

This is the start of a new plant. It is best to wait until there are several leaves on this cutting and the plant has made three to four aerial roots. When the aerial roots are approximately 5 centimeters, you can carefully cut this cutting from the stem and pot it in special orchid soil. After repotting, moisten the soil slightly. You can of course also simply let the cutting continue to grow on the stem.

When should I repot my orchid?

It is best to repot the orchid once every three to four years. Use special orchid soil for this. Before placing the plant in the new soil, carefully remove any bad roots. You can also put the aerial roots in the new soil. The orchid should not be repotted while it is still flowering.

What are the ideal room conditions for Phaleanopsis?

Phalaenopsis grows naturally in places full of shade. It is best to place the plant in a place where there is sufficient light. However, avoid direct sunlight. Particularly in the months of April to September, it is wise not to place the plant in direct sunlight. In addition, Phalaenopsis does not like drafts and it is important not to place the plant next to central heating. Phalaenopsis thrives best at a temperature between 20 and 22 degrees. Make sure the temperature does not fall below 15 degrees.

My orchid has roots growing next to the pot. Can I cut these off?

The roots that grow next to the pot are aerial roots. They have missed the pot, so to speak. Since they serve no function, you can simply cut them off. However, this is not necessary.

General

Where is the origin of the Phalaenopsis?

Phalaenopsis, also called the butterfly orchid, comes from the tropical rainforests of Asia, New Guinea and Australia.

How long and how often does a Phalaenopsis bloom?

The Phalaenopsis owes its popularity to its long flowering period. Unlike other orchid species, which often bloom once a year for 6 to 10 weeks, Phalaenopsis blooms for no less than 2 to 6 months and sometimes even 2 or 3 times a year.

Can I use a Phalaenopsis in a plant arrangement?

An orchid goes well with other plant species and is therefore suitable for use in a plant arrangement. In that case, place the plant, pot and all, in the planter so that the plant retains its strength.

Is it best to buy a plant with buds or should the flowers already be open?

This depends on where you want to place the Phalaenopsis. The darker you place your orchid, the more flowers should be open. However, always choose an orchid with several flowers open, even if you place the orchid in a bright spot.