First-timer, need some help please!

[bnaz]

Hi there! I just bought my first orchid ever yesterday, from Wegmans. It's a little one, 2". I've done hours and hours of research between last night and today, and I feel a lot more educated, however I do have some questions and was hoping you could help? I'll try to divide them coherently and be thorough.

Firstly, the price tag on my orchid said "Phalaenopsis" so I assumed, at first, that it was a Phal. However, also stuck in the pot was little white tag that reads the following: "Dtps. Long Pride Green Pixie" ... could someone explain what this means? Just what kind of orchid do I have, exactly? Heh.

Next up, my little orchid came potted in what I'm assuming is this sphag moss that everyone is saying is bad for it. I'm afraid to repot it because it's in bloom. But should I do this anyway? I'm in love with this plant and want it to thrive forever, and am willing to do whatever is absolutely best for it. If repotting and buying a different kind of potting material would be best, I'll definitely do it right away!

Also, in my pictures, the leaves are curling a little bit downwards. Is this an early warning sign or something I should be concerned of?

And then one last thing (until I remember the other questions I had, haha) ... as you can see you can see in my pictures, I made a little home-made humidity tray because I read online that they help the plant. Does mine seem acceptable? It's in that blue-green dish, with some water on the bottom and little pink marbles. The plant is sitting on the marbles, just slightly above the water level. Also, I read that orchids like moving air? I have my bedroom fan nearby, pointing somewhat towards it (not directly at it, but in it's general direction) and running on the lowest setting. Is this okay for the plant? Good, bad?

In the one picture that's more of a close up of the flowers, you can see that I have a bud. Does that bud look healthy? Should I expect it to bloom? Also, what is to the right of the bud in the image? It's a strange nubby thing that's a slightly darker green color than the rest of the plant.

Did I pick out a decent, healthy orchid, do you guys think? Or do I have my work cut out with this one?

Thank you for the help in advance, and for making this website such a wealth of knowledge and advice for newbies like me. (: Also, I hope my pictures are attaching right!

Many thanks!
- Brit

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Dtps is the abbreviated form of Doritaenopsis.

Doritaenopsis is a combination of the genus names:

Doritis + Phalaenopsis

Have you read the sticky in the Beginner Discussion forum of the OB called "The Phal abuse ends here."?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I recommend clicking on the link and reading this blog too:

Sarawak Lens: Search results for phalaenopsis habitat

[WhiteRabbit]

that's a cutie! looks good

I believe the genus Doritis has been merged with Phalaenopsis, so that Doritaenopsis (Dtps), while still used, is now just Phal

sphag moss isn't bad for the plant - just many orchids sold in stores are potted in a lot of very packed sphag which stays wet a very long time - most people, unaware of that, water too much. I have bamboo skewers (for kabobs) in most orchid pots to help determine when to water - basically just gently twist one into the pot, about midway between center and edge of pot (really, doesn't need to be exact, just not at the very outer edges) - you can then pull out the skewer later to check for moisture - touch it to your cheek, if it feels damp or even cool, there is moisture in the pot. don't water unless the skewer feels very nearly dry (just slightly cool on your cheek)
or, you can repot into bark - many Phals don't mind being repotted while in bloom, tho some may drop their blooms
make sure the pot has drainage holes in it!

humidity tray is fine, but may not be necessary, same for the fan - make sure the fan isn't blowing on the blooms/buds, and isn't close to the plant
- honestly, I don't use anything to increase humidity (tho in extremely dry climate, like Mojave or Sonoran Deserts, humidifiers might be a good thing), nor use fans - I think fans are important in very closed and humid environments, like a greenhouse

the bud looks good - very likely will open, but sometimes when the plants are moved from one environment to another, buds may wither and drop - not much that can be done about that

the green nub looks like just the terminal growth to the spike, tho might end up doing something

[Gage]

First of all, what a cute little Phal! I love these mini Phals. Secondly, I much agree with Philip, the first article mentioned is a must read, very comprehensive. Good luck and have fun!

[pedidiva]

It's a pretty little thing. The thread about phal abuse is very informative. Welcome.
Pedi

[mmursuli]

Hi there! I'm no expert, and also quite the newbie when it comes to orchids, but I've learned a lot since my first phal. Beautiful flower, by the way.
Anywho, the first thing I like to do when I buy an orchid, whether in bloom or not, is repot it. I like to see the root system and catch any problems (if any) before they get worse. I've repotted paphs, phals and dendrobiums while in bloom and never lost any blooms. However, I did find root rot in two phals I bought in bloom. In that case I clipped all the rot and the flower spike, so that the plant could focus its energy on new roots/leaves. Those two are doing fabulous now
Well, that's my Good Luck and Happy Growing!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

To the original poster. The roots do appear to have some issues with them. I do recommend repotting asap regardless of whether it is in bloom or not.

[Gage]

Here is a link to the sticky Philip mentioned! Please read!

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

[mmursuli]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

To the original poster. The roots do appear to have some issues with them. I do recommend repotting asap regardless of whether it is in bloom or not.

Yeah, definitely repot ASAP. Take some pics of the roots and post them, so we can help you out.