Where to put my new Phal. orchid

[aboyd25]

Hi,
I was just given my first orchid, a "Phal", as a gift. I am trying to find a good spot for it in my apartment, but am confused by differing opinions and advice across the web about tips for caring for it.
I would ideally like to place it in the living room, which is where I spend most time, and is very bright during the morning from sliding glass doors, which face west. Unfortunately the only shelf I have available in the room is not directly beside a window. Should I be placing it in my office room instead where it can sit directly on a window ledge?
Also, I understand I should be watering every 5-10 days, but am wondering about the specific technique. Some say to pour water through and let it drain out. Is this correct?
And finally, two of the open blooms are drooping. Should I assume it is just irritated from a long travel and needs time to adjust?
Sorry for all of the questions, but I want to do this right!
Cheers,
Allison- a confused beginner!

[Ross]

Allison, first of all, welcome to the board. Glad to have another join.

As for the Phal, they really need bright light (like from a north or east - or maybe west - window) right up next to the window. The reason I said maybe on the west, is that's usually pretty hot light (warm temps.) Short of that, you could place it really close to a florescent ceiling light.

Watering is a different ball game. It tends to be a science here on the board. It is so dependent on things like what type of potting medium, what amount of humidity (like how quickly does it dry out), etc. I chose long ago to repot into clear pots, so I could check the root condition. It is really easy if you do this. The idea is you want the roots to get nice and green from the new water, then dry down to whiteish with green tips when in need of new water.

[priz_m]

Hello Allison, welcome to the OB.

As Ross has stated, while bright light is welcome, direct sun light must be avoided as phal's leaves can get sunburned easiliy.

What is your phal potted in? phals usually come in sphag moss that is packed in too tightly which tends to hold too much moisture. As you browse on care for your phal on the OB you'll see that most of us like to repot as soon as the new plant comes home. It will give you a chance to evaluate the root system and give the plant a fresh start.

As for the potting media, every body has their own mix, but for phals I have come to like a med fir bark mix with a bit of sphag moss. I water once a week, twice if its too hot and media goes dry.

If you don't plan to repot anytime soon and are still worried on how often to water, take a bamboo skewer and dip it in the media halfway take it out and if it shows moisture, give the phal another day or so before watering, that seems to be the most effective way to test for moisture.

I can't tell you much on your blooms though, whether is a sign of nature or stress I can't tell since we don't know how long it was blooming before it was given to you.

I hope I didn't confuse you I'm sure our fellow members will come by and elaborate on our posts.

Keep us posted on your phal's condition, pictures are always welcome

Priz

[aboyd25]

Thanks for the advice!

I have put it in the window now, and will keep an eye on it in case the sun ends up being too hot in there. It came in a clear pot and there seems to be a mix of moss with some bark.

From what I can see through the pot, the roots down below look healthy and bright green. There are some long straggly roots hanging out of the pot though that are a white/grey colour with almost a green string inside. Is this normal or are these parts dead? I wish I could add a photo, but I am replying from work right now.

Unfortunately 3 of the blooms have drooped now and one has fallen off. I also don't know how long it had been in bloom before I got it. If they all drop off the one stem should I cut it as described on many sites? Will it re-bloom again this time around?

Thanks again!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by aboyd25

Thanks for the advice!

I have put it in the window now, and will keep an eye on it in case the sun ends up being too hot in there. It came in a clear pot and there seems to be a mix of moss with some bark.

From what I can see through the pot, the roots down below look healthy and bright green. There are some long straggly roots hanging out of the pot though that are a white/grey colour with almost a green string inside. Is this normal or are these parts dead? I wish I could add a photo, but I am replying from work right now.

Unfortunately 3 of the blooms have drooped now and one has fallen off. I also don't know how long it had been in bloom before I got it. If they all drop off the one stem should I cut it as described on many sites? Will it re-bloom again this time around?

Thanks again!

Actually, this is all good news! The roots in the clear pot should be allowed to turn whiteish (not pure white) with a green tip before rewetting the medium. Clear pots are that absolute easiest for beginners (and oldies like me ) to watch the root condition as well as wetness and condition of the medium. The mix sounds fine. Just watch the water. Flowers do fall as they mature. I prefer to cut off the flower spike afdter the last blossom falls. Others will say to wait and see if a side spike developes. I am of the school of thought that while the flowers are developing, they suck up energy from the plant. My mantra is "roots are good and leaves are even better!" Big strong plants yeild even bigger, longer and stronger flower spikes next year. The outside roots are just fine. Let them be. Don't cut them off unless they turn all shrivelled and brown/black. Good job so far.

[aboyd25]

Sounds good. Thanks again for the helpful tips. I will wait until the last flower has dropped before cutting the spike then. I might as well ask now exactly where I am supposed to cut it, just to be sure.
Thanks!

[priz_m]

Hi aboyd. Glad to know your phal is doing good, not much that I can add to Ross' reply, other than I comply he's got it pretty much covered.

I've read Terri also cuts the spikes all the way back to get larger prettier blooms the following spring , an yes a stronger plant.

I guess is a matter of personal choice. I 've cut back almost all of my phal spikes, the only one I left undisturbed is already in bud (a tiny little one)... I just couldn't resist

Either way, keep up the good work!

[Brookpoint]

Originally Posted by priz_m

Hello Allison, welcome to the OB.

As Ross has stated, while bright light is welcome, direct sun light must be avoided as phal's leaves can get sunburned easiliy.

What is your phal potted in? phals usually come in sphag moss that is packed in too tightly which tends to hold too much moisture. As you browse on care for your phal on the OB you'll see that most of us like to repot as soon as the new plant comes home. It will give you a chance to evaluate the root system and give the plant a fresh start.

As for the potting media, every body has their own mix, but for phals I have come to like a med fir bark mix with a bit of sphag moss. I water once a week, twice if its too hot and media goes dry.

If you don't plan to repot anytime soon and are still worried on how often to water, take a bamboo skewer and dip it in the media halfway take it out and if it shows moisture, give the phal another day or so before watering, that seems to be the most effective way to test for moisture.

I can't tell you much on your blooms though, whether is a sign of nature or stress I can't tell since we don't know how long it was blooming before it was given to you.

I hope I didn't confuse you I'm sure our fellow members will come by and elaborate on our posts.

Keep us posted on your phal's condition, pictures are always welcome

Priz

If you pot in a mixture of moss and bark, what is the ratio?, and is it orchid moss. Thanks,

[jzalex96]

normaly you can pot in a half and half mix

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hello, aboyd 25.

Regarding your Phalaenopsis...

I usually like to show people where a Phalaenopsis grows in the wild. I like to have people get a sense of what it is like for a Phalaenopsis to be in it's natural environment.

This is why I post links to other people's photos of Phals in the wild. I'm not trying to show people pretty pictures that don't belong to me.

From there on, if there are any questions, and they are answered a certain way, there is a point of reference. You can think about what makes sense and what doesn't.

While certain cultural techniques may at first glance appear far removed from how they would be growing in nature, with some experience and quite a bit of thought, you'll get it and start finding the connections.

With that said, here is a link to pics of some Phalaenopsis in the wild:

Phalaenopsis in situ - Flickr: Search

To give you an idea of what you're looking at. The pics are of Phalaenopsis growing horizontally or pendulously on wet tree trunks that have very little to no moss on them in a swamp forest in the tropics of Malaysia.

Here's a couple of tips:

1, The reason a Phal grows horizontally or pendulously is because the leaves are acting like a rain gutter directing water that lands on it during a monsoonal rainy day away from the crown. This is the natural way for it to avoid problems such as crown rot.

2. Phalaenopsis have green roots. These roots are green for a reason. They are able to perform photosynthesis. If you stick the roots of a Phalaenopsis in an opaque pot versus a clear plastic pot, you will see the difference. The roots that have been put in an opaque pot and therefore, has not been exposed to the light will have a silvery white velamin covering, and translucent white root tips with a light yellow tinge. Roots exposed to light in a clear plastic pot will have a silvery white velamin covering, and green or reddish brown tips sometimes with an orange tinge.