New Orchid Owner (Phalaenopsis) - Orchid Board

benisjamin217 · #1 08-27-2009, 12:36 AM

Hi I'm Ben, I'm new to the forums and to orchids, I'm 14 and live in Michigan, I've loved plants for as long as i can remember. I bought a phalaenopsis amabilis (boring I know) at a local nursery about a month ago. No pics as of late, because it's midnight here. I'll try to be as descriptive as possible.

It has 14 snow white flowers, on 2 flower spikes, aerial roots everywhere, and 5 healthy grass-green leaves. It looks pretty much the same, although it's losing a small leaf on the bottom, which turned lime green/yellow and is wrinkled and leather-like.

I have it about 8 feet from an east facing window which gets a lot of sun in the morning. I water it with a half cup of tap water when the bark feels dry, and let it drain. I made a makeshift humidity tray, at night I sometimes use an oscillating fan. I also mist the leaves and aerial roots in the morning.

Even though I've devoured all reading about the species that I can, I'm still nervous that I'm doing something wrong. Please weigh in.

Edit: Any tips about the species?

Pilot · #2 08-27-2009, 01:58 AM

Hey Ben-- welcome to the ward!!! Just a bunch of orchid crazy people here.

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. I would advise against misting-- at least the leaves. If the water sits too long in the crown it will rot. No sense in tempting fate for some fleeting humidity. But feel free to keep misting the aerial roots.

Also, 8 feet away from the window seems a bit excessive... I'd say move it closer-- but more experienced orchid growers will chime in.

Welcome!

Doc G · #3 08-27-2009, 03:28 AM

Your lower leaf may just be ready to fall naturally. On the other hand it could be a light, humidity or watering problem. If the rest of the plant is healthy, then it's probably nothing to worry about. I would recommend that you water differently. Drench and drain is the old axiom. A half cup may not be enough. And if you are using tap water that is chlorinated, let it sit overnight before watering.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 08-27-2009, 03:51 AM

Is the orchid potted or mounted?

If potted, what's it potted in? Please mention the type of pot and the type of potting medium.

Did you repot the plant?

I agree with Pilot, that placing the plant 8' away from the window might be excessive. Maybe 2' or 3' away might be good enough, if in doubt try keeping it 3' or 4' away from the window.

What kind of fertilizer are you using or plan on using?

What's the temperature and relative humidity of the growing area?

Misting the leaves is not necessary, it has the potential to cause more problems if it is potted. This is because the plants don't grow upright in nature, and if you pot them and mist them, water gets trapped in the crown and will rot out the plant. Naturally, the plants grow horizontally.

If you wanna know how Phalaenopsis should be grown mounted, here's a pic of Phal gigantea:

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/1016756...es_Orchids.jpg

Many Phals have this kind of growth habit.

Here's a link to Phals growing in the wild, just scroll down:

Google Image Result for http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/Lundu-orchidB190207.jpg

This'll give you an idea of what to expect down the line when your Phal amabilis wants to droop over the edge of the pot (provided you're growing this potted):

http://merklesorchids.com/2Images/27...gigantea_2.jpg

I couldn't find pictures of Phal amabilis in the wild, and I had a hard time finding Phal amabilis pics that were being grown mounted that showed the entire plant.

Phal amabilis:

http://www.clownalleyorchids.com/Orc...l.amabilis.jpg

benisjamin217 · #5 08-27-2009, 11:58 AM

Thank you so much for your responses!

Pilot: I don't mist near the crown, but I think the humidity tray may not be enough moisture. My house is on a hill, so my room on the second story is 30 feet up and constantly flooded with light. If I move it about 3-4 feet away, it would get direct sun for a few hours, and I don't want to risk sun burn. The leaves have stayed the same color, light green, for the whole time.

Dog C: I'm a bit worried about the leaf, but I think it may be natural as well. I've been thinking about drench and drain, I'll definitely use that from now on.

King of Orchid Growing: I did not repot the orchid. The orchid is potted in bark and peat. It's in a clear container with many drainage holes. I know drainage is crucial. I haven't planned for using fertilizer. I don't know the relative humidity of the area, but it's 74 in the day and 70-72 at night. I'll stop misting the leaves.

Question for everyone: How many leaves falling off should I worry about? Would there be signs by now ( a month later) if it was in bad health?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 08-27-2009, 01:24 PM

There shouldn't be very many leaves dropping if any at all. On a healthy plant, it could potentially take up to two years or more for a leaf to turn yellow and fall off.

Peat as a constituent of the potting medium is a cause for concern. Peat can get in between the cracks of the bark and clog up the media. If you must use a moss based material to retain some moisture, it's possible to use strands of good quality sphagnum moss from New Zealand and place a thin layer on top of the bark.

The roots of many epiphytical orchids are photosynthetic btw. So planting the orchid in a clear plastic pot may give it an added advantage. Another good thing about a clear plastic pot is that you can see what's going on (a side note, I don't recommend using a clear plastic pot for terrestrial orchids, they may not like light getting to their roots).

For fertilizer, I suggest using a non-urea based fertilizer that has a nitrogen/phosphorous/potassium ratio of 20-20-20, or as close to this ratio as possible.

In regards to pot size, keeping the plant in as small of a pot as possible is better. The moisture distributes itself more evenly and the media dries out evenly.

The relative humidity for Phal amabilis doesn't have to be very high, 60% - 70% is sufficient enough, and 40% - 50% is tolerable, but anything lower is not good.

Try to provide a larger temperature drop between day and night, shooting for a 10 degree drop will help later on with inducing flower spike formation. The lowest it should go for Phal amabilis is about 55F or 60F, and the highest is preferrably about 90 F, higher temperatures aren't a problem though just keep the area aerated.

If you haven't repotted the plant yet, I recommend checking to see how the roots are doing by pulling the entire plant out and look for healthy versus dead roots. Remove all dead roots as they can be places where bacteria and fungus can reside and cause problems later on down the road.

BikerDoc5968 · #7 08-27-2009, 01:35 PM

Welcome Ben... where is home in Michigan? As you can see I'm in SE Michigan and if you're in this area and I may help, just let me know.

RosieC · #8 08-27-2009, 03:28 PM

Hi Ben and welcome to Orchid Board

Everyone's given you good advice, just one thing I would add. I don't think direct light would be a problem if it's morning light. My Phals get direct light in the morning for an hour or two. BUT if you are going to move it, move it slowly a bit at a time, leaving it to get used ot that light level for a few days before moving it a bit closer again. I agree with what was said above, that 3' to 4' should be fine, maybe even closer.

benisjamin217 · #9 08-27-2009, 06:18 PM

King of Orchid growing: I think this plant has actually been around for two years, and in my novice opinion, this is age progression. This is why I think so: the leaf is a bottom leaf, and it is the very smallest leaf on my plant. It is 4 inches, my biggest bud is that big. All of my other leaves are at least 6 inches, I have one 9 inch one. I think I'll check the roots. I'll definitely take your advice. I'm going to replant in the same pot when it's done with it's cycle in all bark.

Biker Doc: WOO DETROIT. All my family is from West Bloomfield, I love the area. However, I live in Okemos, which is a suburb of Lansing. I'd love to hear of some great orchid shops nearby!

Rosie C and Everyone: I moved the plant about 2-3 feet from the window. I'm a little scared, PLEASE NO SUNBURN!

Thanks guys!

BikerDoc5968 · #10 08-27-2009, 07:31 PM

I went to MSU so I know Okemos. You might want to attend the Lansing Orchid Society show this winter. It is held on the MSU campus. Any time you are in WB call and stop by