Should I water my Orchid?

[Pink Lady]

Ok, here's the deal, I got an orchid this morning and I want to prove to someone that I can take very good care of it but I have no idea how to. I desperately need help.

[glengary54]

Pink Lady - First off, welcome to the Orchid Board - You have come to the right place to learn. Before we can answer your questions we need more info, like what kind of orchid it is. If you have a photo of your plant that you could post, that would be very helpful to us in helping you.

[Pink Lady]

Nice, well I have a Den Burana Pink Lady

[Wjs2nd]

Is it in a pot? What kind of mix? Orchids need water just at the right amounts/times. Don't water at night to avoid mold.

[Pink Lady]

Originally Posted by Wjs2nd

Is it in a pot? What kind of mix? Orchids need water just at the right amounts/times. Don't water at night to avoid mold.

It is in a pot at my desk, yes. I dont understand 'what kind of mix?'

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by Pink Lady

It is in a pot at my desk, yes. I dont understand 'what kind of mix?'

The basic care for your plant is this: very bright light, no direct sun, water heavily so that the growing material in the pot (mix) gets good and wet, then don't water again until almost dry, fertilize weekly at half strength.

[Wjs2nd]

Glen, gave you the whole basic run down. Some mixes hold water better then others. Just keep the mix moist not soaking wet. Make sure there are wholes/vents in your pot and that you roots are NEVER just sitting in water. That is what kills orchids.

[Pink Lady]

The mix,then, is pure stones. Isn't it alway always dry then. Should I put it in a saucer and throw water in.

[Wjs2nd]

P.s. Check out rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer it has some helpful stuff on the site and will explain orchid mixes better. Good luck

[camille1585]

You can have a saucer under the pot to keep it from getting the desk dirty, but you should never leave any water standing in it. Orchids really hate that, and the roots will die. What do you mean by pure stones? Is it little clay colored balls, lava rock or something else? Are you sure that the entire pot is filled with that? It might be only a decorative layer, and then underneather there's something else.