Phalaenopsis - Orchid Board

Milui · #1 11-09-2008, 05:02 PM

Hi!

I went to Rona today (hardware store, I don't know if you have this store in the US or not...) and asked about the Phals who had lost their flowers... what are they doing with them?

Well they sell then halfprice (and probably trow them away if they look too bad)...

So I bought a brand new orchid today... I guess I'll have the surprise when it comes to the shape and colour of the flowers. Anyway I would like to know how to take care of her from now one, what supplements to give her, how to water her, how often, your own advices, etc.!

By the way, she looks nice! She have 6 beautiful leaves who look healthy and have (from what I've seen, a lots of roots, and in good shape too!!

Margit · #2 11-09-2008, 06:23 PM

Hello Milui,
Congratulations on your new Orchid Baby!

I purchased a large Phal NOID this year in sping time that was done blooming, just like you.
Since last month it has been growing a very long spike with many buds. The color will be a suprise for me as well. It is fun!

Regarding her care, it depends on if it is growing in bark or sphagnum moss.

Most of my orchids are grown in bark. I determine by the weight of the pot if I need to water or not.
Once the medium has dried, you will find that the pot is quite a bit lighter in weight. If in doubt, wait one or two more days before watering.
An Orchid growing in sphag may take longer to dry out by the way.

With everybody working with different growing conditions, it is not a straight forward answer on how often to water Orchids.

I use a balanced fertilizer every time I water, at half strength, the fourth time I just use plain water to flush any minerals and salts out of the growing medium.

Hope this is of asistance,
enjoy!

Margit

magicatt · #3 11-09-2008, 06:57 PM

Margit is right. Depends what it is potted in. I keep all my phals in bark/charcoal/rock and water twice a week. (My rv is very warm) One phal is in sphag. It gets watered once a week since the sphag is so moist. Hope this helps.

Milui · #4 11-10-2008, 01:04 PM

Right now it is in bark (I guess, I will repot it very soon) and has moss on the top... It is a clay pot with a plastic pot in it, but the thing is the the plastic pot does not seem to have holes to it.

annehylee · #5 11-10-2008, 01:54 PM

Wow, that's a great idea. I should go to my local Home Depot and see what they do with their orchids, lol...

RosieC · #6 11-11-2008, 04:27 PM

I think you need holes in the innner plastic pot. It's very difficult to get water levels right without holes in the bottom of the pot. You may want to either change the pot or makes some holes in it.

The outer pot needs to be big enough to allow some ventenlation, it's not a good idea to have it tight against the inner pot.

Milui · #7 11-11-2008, 05:20 PM

I want to replant it very soon... I wondered, Do I have to leave some roots on the surface of the bark or put them all in the bark ??

wiscnick · #8 11-14-2008, 05:55 PM

To Annehylee
Sadly, Home Depot does not discount the orchids that are past their prime--apparently the supplier gives them full credit for them...Lowe's on the other hand, will drop the price on a bloomless orchid for the asking--I just picked up two of them for five bucks a piece
nick

Milui · #9 03-31-2009, 06:21 PM

Hi everyone!!! I decided to finally upload some pictures of my phal!!! She's still doing good (though no noticeable new growth...).

Overall the roots look good. I took the pictures before I cut... I cut all the dried out roots and the one that seemed ready to crush under a gentle fingertip pressure...

I hope she flowers for me soon!!!