Newbie ID Question :o)

[weez1959]

HI guys, new here!
I've recently gotten interested in orchids and I've gotten alot of conflicting info.
To start off, I do have 1 orchid, don't know what kind, don't remember the flower color either so I'm hoping to start there.
Right now I'd like to know what kind of orchid I have and we'll go from there.
I'm sure I can keep you all busy with my questions for a good while

Happy to be here!!

[quiltergal]

Hi there! Welcome to Orchid Board!

You have a Phalaenopsis orchid. The common name is Moth Orchid. It looks pretty healthy. Have you had it long? It looks like it is planted in sphagnum moss. The moss looks like it has a little age on it. You might want to consider repotting if you've had it awhile and it's never been repotted.

Phals like to be grown in intermediate to warm temps. They like to be kept evenly moist but not sopping wet either. Finding the right balance of when to water and when not to is one of the hardest things for beginners to learn. It took me at least a year and a couple of dead orchids later to figure it out. Regular feeding is beneficial. Mine do better in fairly bright light, but not direct sunlight. Most need cooler temps in the fall to set spikes.

[weez1959]

Thanks for the quick reply,
I've had it for about 8-9 months now, it's been repotted believe it or not
I bought it in a nursery and it was in a teeny tiny 2" pot, it flowered for about 1 month and after that I repotted it into a 4" pot. I used an orchid block (bark) and put a bit of moss on top. No idea if this is ok but it has grown a new leaf.
Now I'd love to see it flower again

Thanks for the ID by the way

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'll add a few more things...

For many people, growing in full moss doesn't work very well in the long run.

I recommend using s/h should the humidity be low where you are.

However, if you're using bark with moss on top, that's fine too.

Second point. If the roots don't fill up that pot, it's most likely too large for the Phal. The possibility of overwatering is greater.

Shade to bright shade for lighting is good enough.

Humidity should be around 60% for good growth, higher is good too.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The part of the Phalaenopsis that has a root sticking out in the pic you posted, should be facing the direction of the light.

If you turn it the other way, The direction of the growth of the leaves will shift.

[weez1959]

Something I'm not sure of, so I'll ask...
I was told that the pot I use should not have a hole in the bottom because it provides more humidity....
Is this true or was the person selling me the orchid trying to kill it to make me buy another one, so far it's doing fine but if I should repot just say the word... and I'll go ahead and smack that guy!

It's been in that pot for about 7 months now

[slipperfreak]

Any pot you use for any orchid MUST have drainage holes in it. Without them, the pot will stay too moist and the plant will rot. Of course, in s/h it's a bit different, but you're not growing in s/h!

Phals are best repotted annually, when they are in moss especially.

[weez1959]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I recommend using s/h should the humidity be low where you are.

What is s/h, sorry, new at this stuff

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

Any pot you use for any orchid MUST have drainage holes in it. Without them, the pot will stay too moist and the plant will rot. Of course, in s/h it's a bit different, but you're not growing in s/h!

Phals are best repotted annually, when they are in moss especially.

will re-pot tomorrow, thanks

What is a good fertilizer, and when do I use it?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oops! Lapse in judgement. Sorry!

No, no. It's understood. My apologies.

S/H = semi-hydroponics.

I'm not the expert on this, but I'm aware of it's existence and benefits. Particularly in Phalaenopsis culture.

[slipperfreak]

Basically in s/h, a special medium called LECA (light expanded clay aggregate) is used that wicks moisture upward from a reservoir at the bottom of the pot. To create this reservoir, holes are drilled 1" from the bottom of the pot (on the sides) so that the water pools at the bottom. This results in a moist environment, but still allows for air exchange at the roots. This method doesn't work for everyone (or for every plant), but when it does work it works very well. I don't recommend it for a first-time grower, but rather as something to experiment with in the future. A Phal is easiest to grow in a mix of bark, charcoal, perlite, and moss (medium grade).

My favorite fertilizer is Dyna-Gro (which you can buy in both "Grow" and "Bloom" formulas) but any balanced fertilizer will work. You can use a high-P (middle number) formula to help boost blooming as well. the most important thing to remember is "weakly, weekly"; that is, fertilize every week, at 1/2 the recommended dilution.