Totally new with a very small phalaenopsis - Orchid Board

Shinnok · #1 10-25-2010, 07:42 PM

Hi all, i am really new here from Switzerland. On my shopping trip to germany 2 weeks ago... I found this miniature with beautiful flowers. So i decide to take it home with me.

Can someone tell me how to really care for it? I just left it there at that spot without moving it around much. How often do i really have to water them especially during winter? My room is actually quite cool as i don't like being heated :P. I am wondering if my mini will survive in a cool room???

Zoi2 · #2 10-25-2010, 07:48 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB! Your little phal is gorgeous. What is the potting media it is in?
Joann

Shinnok · #3 10-25-2010, 08:08 PM

Errmmm to be honest

... I am not really sure but i just took some pictures maybe you can identify it :/

CTB · #4 10-25-2010, 08:27 PM

Welcome to the orchid board. Ae you new to orchid collecting? Lots of help here. Enjoy!!!

Call_Me_Bob · #5 10-25-2010, 08:34 PM

Welcome to the forum! I recently got one tha looks JUST like that pot and everything, too bad it's a noid. Anyways here is a link to an article I just posted. A Quick guide to Phalaenopsis - Orchid Board

Should have everything you need

Let me know if you have anymore questions

Zoi2 · #6 10-26-2010, 12:19 AM

It looks like your plant is potted in sphag moss. It has a tendency to retain moisture. It might be easier for you to repot in a bark mixture which is not as easy to overwater.
Joann

trdyl · #7 10-26-2010, 01:31 AM

Welcome to OB!

rangiku · #8 10-26-2010, 02:26 AM

Hi Shinook, your orchid looks great. What do you consider cooler temps? The plant is in sphagnum moss. You don't necessarily have to repot it. I have lots of orchids in that - just be careful not to overwater. Put a thin wooden skewer (like you use for bbq) in the moss to gauge when to water. If it is dry or slightly damp, time to water. Keep an eye on its roots, if they turn brown too much water or it is taking too long for the moss to dry.

Shinnok · #9 10-26-2010, 06:36 AM

Thank you all for the warm welcome... Yeah i am new to Orchid. I currently have tillandsia and the mini phal is a new thing for me :P

I must admit i didn't know what is NOID and I just found out that it stands for NO ID lol and thank you for identifying the media :P.

Say how often do i have to water the Phalaenopsis? The pot is really tiny and how do i know it needs water... I did check the roots by judging the transparent pot. The roots are green with white tip.

As it is approaching winter and the weather have started to cool down. I alway leave a gap on the windowes to have some air circulation in my room and i don't turn on the heating system even when it is really cold. Will it be alright for the phalae?

Shin

camille1585 · #10 10-26-2010, 07:34 AM

For the temperature, phals are tropical plants, and anything below 13-14°C is already pushing it a bit, they don't like it much. Do you have a warmer room to put it in if the one it's in now is too cool?

As for the medium it's in, sphag works for some people and not for others, it depends if you're heavy handed with watering and also depends on climate. In any case even if it stays in sphag you probably want to repot it so that sphag is looser. Growers tend to pack the sphag as tight as possible (which works fine in their greenhouses) and in normal house conditions (let alone a cool room!) it stays too wet too long and suffocates the roots.