Super newbie looking for a good start!

[mts678]

Hi guys!

Well as my thread title states, I'm very very new to the orchid scene. I got this orchid for my wife, and it's been about 2 months since then, and it's starting to look rough..

Here's how we've been caring for it:
- Water every 25 days
- Keep it near a window that has plenty of sunshine coming through it
- Our inside temperature will fluctuate 2-7 degrees, I'm located in Dallas and it's 42 one day and then high 70's the next..

Other than that I don't have any experience with these plants and neither does my wife.
Where should I start out reading and educating myself, or what are your opinions on how to quickly get this orchid back on track?

Thanks,
Marshall

[mts678]

I know everybody gets a big yawn when a newbie posts a thread starting with Newb..I apologize for the newbie-ness

[scy]

Hi Marshall,

Welcome to OB! I'm a newbie too. Here are my suggestions:
- I would suggest you make sure that it's in a pot with drainage holes, since the roots don't like to be sitting in a pool of water.
- Since you have a clear liner, water when it appears dry.

If your orchid came with the tag, I would check what type it is (it looks like a Phalaenopsis to me) and look at the culture sheet on American Orchid Society's website. The culture sheets will have more detailed information on how to care for your particular type of orchid. If it is a Phalaenopsis, here is the link to the culture sheet. Otherwise, you can look at the other types and see which one is yours. I hope this helps!

[mts678]

Originally Posted by scy

Hi Marshall,

Welcome to OB! I'm a newbie too. Here are my suggestions:
- I would suggest you make sure that it's in a pot with drainage holes, since the roots don't like to be sitting in a pool of water.
- Since you have a clear liner, water when it appears dry.

If your orchid came with the tag, I would check what type it is (it looks like a Phalaenopsis to me) and look at the culture sheet on American Orchid Society's website. The culture sheets will have more detailed information on how to care for your particular type of orchid. If it is a Phalaenopsis, here is the link to the culture sheet. Otherwise, you can look at the other types and see which one is yours. I hope this helps!

Wow you sound like a pro! I appreciate your help, yes it does have a drainage hole, but only one, Should I cut a few more? The existing hole is only about a 1/2" diameter.

Thanks for the links, I am clicking on those right after this post.

[daf3538]

Hi, Marshall

I would cut a few more holes and would add that Dallas sunshine can be very strong so make sure you have a sheer drape in the window where your orchid hangs out.

[scy]

I am definitely not a pro! I post questions here and read other people's posts and that's how I learn. Everyone here is very knowledgeable and friendly! You can also gently insert a bbq skewer into the medium (being careful not to damage any roots) and pull it out every other day to check if your orchid needs watering. If it's damp, then wait on watering.

[Daethen]

Welcome to OB!! So far you have been put on track. It is a phalaenopsis. It sounds like it needs more water. Since you can see the roots, do they look firm and either green or white? You could gently pull it out of the pot and check. If they are mushy they are dying. The flowers will naturally drop after a while. How do the leaves look and feel? Is it getting direct sun light? They prefer filtered sun. If the leaves are limp/rubbery, it needs water. If the roots are bad, it will have a hard time getting the water where it needs it and watering it more will cause more rot. I don't mean to confuse you, but you need to check a couple of things out before you will know if you have a problem.

[mts678]

Originally Posted by Daethen

Welcome to OB!! So far you have been put on track. It is a phalaenopsis. It sounds like it needs more water. Since you can see the roots, do they look firm and either green or white? You could gently pull it out of the pot and check. If they are mushy they are dying. The flowers will naturally drop after a while. How do the leaves look and feel? Is it getting direct sun light? They prefer filtered sun. If the leaves are limp/rubbery, it needs water. If the roots are bad, it will have a hard time getting the water where it needs it and watering it more will cause more rot. I don't mean to confuse you, but you need to check a couple of things out before you will know if you have a problem.

This is a great reach of help for me
The roots are more of a white color, but aren't brittle or weak, they seem stout. Some of the leaves are rubbery and droopy. I agree with you I think its under-watered, which is what I told my wife but she say's, "Nooo, they only need water every 25 days." LOL..
It is getting filtered sun, its in a north facing window with an east window hitting it good in the early day..

All in all after reading on other threads, the roots seem in good shape, the pot looks dry, and the plant looks deprived of water. I watered about a cup of water, that was my next question is what's an adequate amount of water to feed this plant?

Thanks for you help!

[Jennyfleur]

Hi, The amount of water and watering frequency will depend on what it's growing in and your conditions. I know here in England I don't get anywhere near the conditions you must get in Dallas. However, since mine are potted in bark, I water every 7-10 days as it drains and dries quickly. I can't quite see what yours is in, but if it's in moss then it'll need longer between waterings (depending on the temp). The way I water is to hold mine over the sink and pour the water through until it's gone all round the pot, let it drain well and stand it in a pot/ on a tray so it can empty out any last dribbles to prevent the pot standing in water.

You can also buy fertilisers to use weakly when you water, but, since I don't know what's avaliable in the States, I can't advise on that.

Finally, something that no one else has mentioned as a possibility is that you could cut off your flower spikes. The plant uses up a lot of energy on those and as it looks like they're coming to an end anyways, it'll recover a lot quicker if it doesn't have to support them as well.

Oh and 'P.S.' We were all newbies once and the only way you learn what suits you and yours best is simply experience Welcome to the club

[daf3538]

I'm in Dallas also and at this time of year I am having to water every 10 days.