Humidity trays on how to set it up and what i have

[mojomick]

Since you are relatively new to orchid growing, I would suggest that you invest in a good book that can give you a good understanding of what to do and how to do it. I found when I started this addiction an easy book to understand and it is still on of my favorites...Orchids for dummies...I still read it at least once a year. betty

[wevans]

Paul you should water your vanda everyday and try to fertilize at least once a week. Water early in the morning. Not sure to tell you about the phal leaf, I would try to cut it off with a clean knife, but see what the other members have to say first.

[nutgirl]

Paul,

The oldest leaves often turn yellow then drop off. It's a good idea to just let them do their thing. Cutting isn't necessary and may create infection problems.

How long have you had your plants, what kind of material are they planted in and have you checked the condition of their roots?

The yellow leaf is probably a normal aging thing but it can signal root rot.

Maureen

[pauldog28504]

thanks a bunch. I got 3 of my phals about 2 weeks ago and that is one of them that has the yellow leaf on it. they are planted in moss now and the vanda is planted in a mix of moss and bark. i just got a new orchid today that my wife got me for Vday. she ordered it and they were behind on shipping and it is also planted in moss. i am going to repot all of them i believe b/c my new on has a lot of looks like algei growing on it

[natasha]

watering is a pretty tricky subject. even if i live in the tropics, i have to adjust my watering schedule. now i water once a day, in the evening, copiously from above - sometimes i try to imitate rain! its now very hot and windy. i am a late riser and can't water early in the morning before work. so far my orchids are doing fine. but don't try to do that during the rainy season - sure death! i sometimes water once or twice a week during rainy season. if little rain, i'll water the plant outside only - just to get rid of the acid rain. other times, i water once or every two days, but not copiously like now! my orchids range from alliances vanda, dens, catts, catasetum, paphs and phals + some oddities...

[Doc G]

Concerning getting leaves wet:When my orchids get dusty, I give them a shower. I do this when they need watering so they come out clean and refreshed. For Phals. I generally tip them to get most of the water from the crown and then let evaporation take over.

Let yellowing leaves fall off and the natural healing behind it will take place. Every time you make a cut, you open the plant up for infection.

[nutgirl]

Most nurseries grow phalaenopsis in moss and there's nothing wrong with that but it's usually reached the end of it's life by the time you bring them home so it's a good idea to check roots and repot.

You can change to a bark mix or go with moss again but for a beginner moss can be tricky until you get the hang of things. If you water too much it can lead to root rot. Bark is more forgiving and it's easier to revive a dry orchid than a rootless one.

Maureen

[Erce]

im new to orchids - kind of!!
and i grow most of mu phals in spag, even a paph in spag to and a few dends. i live very dry, so spag is my way - also use humanitytrays filles with stone and some water - got real good results

[pauldog28504]

thanks to all that has replied. i have my orchids now on a bed or pea gravel that is made of 1 inch aluminum cookie sheets from wal-mart with the gravel. when it rains i have take them out and let them sit under the car port the get the mist from the rain and if it is light will put in the rain for a short period but them sitting on something and not letting them sit in the water. is the best pot for them a clear pot or is it ok to put them in a green,black or other color pot if i can not find the clear ones. i think i have asked in the past if it is ok to re-pot while in bloom but dont remember if i have asked. i plan on re-potting all of them in about 2 weeks or so if i can get more pots and if it is ok to put in other colored pots then and if in bloom i could re-pot this weekend. about cutting leaves off it can lead to infections but if a leaf is broken off is there any thing to put were it was broke to cover i up like a bandaged for the plant