Please Help!...desperate in Vermont!

[psycheeros]

Hello Ladies and Gentleman,
I am in desperate need of some help! I recently received 5 orchids as gifts and am not sure how to care for them...I need to know several things asap so that I dont harm them, as I realize that these are very sensitive creatures and require AAA care. If there is anyone out there who can help me, myself and my Orchids would appreciate it greatly! I currently reside in Vermont and live in an apartment. I have an enclosed porch which has 6 windows that get great sunbeams shooting into them. Currently the temperature varies greatly from the day to night and ranges from 55 degrees in the evening to 65-70 in the daytime. I do not have any of the windows open as I understand that the orchids are sensitive to drafts. I have been trying to collect as much information on the internet as I can and so far I am feeling pretty doomed. I have always dreamed of having a beautiful orchid garden and am hoping that I can make these orchids very happy. I was given: 1) Louisendorf Orchid 2) Phalaenopsis Liodoro 3)Paphiopedilum Love Song (acmodontum 'Fair Lady' x sukhakulii 'Flashdance')4) (quantity 2) Phalaenopsis
I of course have many concerns but my main questions are:
1. how much light do they need?
2. will they be happy in the sunporch area that I described above? In a window area with sunbeams of light? or, should I get them some other source of additional light such as a horticultural light?
3. will the temperature changes from day to night harm them?
4. how often do they need watering?
5. should I buy a humidifier for them as I heard that they like a moist atmosphere?
6. what is the best kind of 'food' to give them?

I realize that I should have done more research before aquiring these beautiful plants, but, as I stated above, my Fiance went out and bought them for me not understanding how much care they need...because of his thoughtfulness and my dream of having them I have quite a sentimental attachment already and would love to see them thrive. Can anyone please help me? Thanks in advance...
Blessings,
Amy

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hello Amy.

1. Most orchids are not all that sensitive. They just have to have their requirements met.

2. There's tons of information on how to grow Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilums.

3. Phalaenopsis are epiphytes (grows on trees).

4. Paphiopedilums are semi-terrestrials (their roots are buried underneath leaf litter/topsoil)

I will start with your Paph...

Like I said they're semi-terrestrials. They're very slow growing. Paphs produce very few relatively short hairy roots. And in a given year they'll only put out one to two leaves. In fact, sometimes they appear as if they're not doing much.

Next, I will make sense of your plants' names...

The common name for Paphiopedilums are called Lady's Slipper Orchids.

Your plant is a primary hybrid and its name is:

genus: Paphiopedilum
cultivar: 'Love Song'

Both parents are species and are printed within the parentheses...

Parent #1:

genus: Paphiopedilum
species: acmodontum
cultivar: 'Fair Lady'

"x" = cross

Parent #2:

genus: Paphiopedilum
species: sukhakulii
cultivar: 'Flashdance'

A primary hybrid is a hybrid where both parents are species.

I didn't grow a lot of Paphs in the past and I currently don't have any at all, so this is where I leave off with the Paph (I only know how to grow the species Paph micranthum, and not very well).

As for your Phalaenopsis... The genus name is Phalaenopsis, the common name for this group of orchids are called Moth Orchids.

All the Phalanopsis you own are hybrids, (that's probably why you had a hard time finding information on them). Luckily Phalaenopsis hybrids tend to have very similar needs. They prefer to grow in intermediate to warm temperatures (55 degrees F to 90 degrees F). Phals also grow in shade to bright shade (no direct sunlight at all).

As a caution, Phalaenopsis are usually potted by commercial growers in a plastic pot with lots of moss. I advise against growing Phalaenopsis potted in moss, moss stays too wet for too long (this causes root rot). A better alternative is to grow them potted in large grade orchid bark. Another alternative is to mount them onto a piece of wood.

If you choose to grow Phalaenopsis mounted on a piece of wood, check out the "Mounting" section of the Orchid Board.

Watering your orchids with RO/DI water (reverse osmosis/distilled water) is preferred. For Phalaenopsis, after you water allow all the roots to dry out completely before watering again. For Paphiopedilum, after you water allow the potting medium to dry out completely before you water again.

Next, I'm not familiar with what a Louisendorf Orchid is. You have to post a picture of this one for some sort of identification.

Finally, there is a section here with book recommendations. Or ask for a good book recommendation. Like I said, Phals and Paphs are commonly grown orchids and there's lots of reliable information out there.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I forgot to mention. A humidity of around 50% to 70% is all your particular orchids need.

Not all tropical forests or jungles are steaming hot places. Some of them are somewhat comfortable places temperature wise and sometimes humidity wise as well.