Phal Taisuco Wonder x Phal Sogo Yukidian - how do I care for it?

[Amelianne]

Hi, this is my first post and I am very much a novice with orchids. A friend has given me her (sick?) chid to care for as she has no interest in it. I have had it about 5 weeks and it looks like it is growing buds and also a new leaf has appeared. I have watered it very sparingly. I am wondering if I should repot it now or leave it another month until Spring. Also do I cut off the dead branches and leaves? Photos attached.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

In this context, I'd keep the spikes.

It may be sending out keikis instead of blooms.

The plant itself looks in terrible shape.

I can't see the entire root system, but from what I do see, it doesn't look very good at all. There appears to be one or two living roots, but I don't know if there's more hiding in the medium.

Don't worry about the yellowing leaf, it'll fall off anyways.

Focus on the older green leaf and the new emerging one.

Be careful not to damage the new leaf, it's fragile and very soft. It's easy to mess it up.

Please remove the plant from the decorative pot with the dead moss. It doesn't serve a functional purpose at the moment.

I recommend removing the foam peanuts too. Don't throw those out yet.

Remove all the dead roots.

Don't touch the dead petioles (the dried up dead parts of the older leaves still attached to the stem of the
plant), yet.

Please post a pic of the entire root system, and we'll continue from there (as in there's more).

[Amelianne]

Thanks for your quick response. I have taken more photos attached below. I had no idea the root system was so wet.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Step 1:

Buy some medium grade or large grade bark.

Step 2:

Soak the bark in water for a couple hours asap.

Purified water is preferred. If you can't get a hold of purified water, tap water is "okay".

Step 3:

Remove the moss asap.

When working with the roots, make sure they're wet. Wet roots are more pliable and less prone to damage than dry ones.

Step 4:

Repot into the bark asap.

Here're some pics of Phalaenopsis in the wild.

Phalaenopsis in situ - Flickr: Search

The evergreen Phalaenopsis are found in tropical Asian swamp forests growing as epiphytes. The trees have a little bit of moss to no moss on them.

Sometimes they're found growing on trees near rivers or streams.

Notice how they're positioned on the trees. Try to emulate this growth habit as best as you can in pot culture.

Temps: 55 F - 95 F
Light: shade to bright shade
Humidity: 60% or higher

Keep evenly moist. If you've successfully grown ferns, watering Phals are much like watering ferns.

Position the plant's crown (the crown is where the new leaf is emerging from) towards the light source.

[Amelianne]

Many thanks for your help.