What to wait for

[Sebastian]

OK I have nice blooms on my orchids I brought like that what happens when the blooms go what should I be planning on doing next? I'm new to all this but I want to be one step ahead of my plants thanks for letting me ask the simple questions

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[Bud]

I need to know what zone you are on in the USA in order to help you ... pictures would also be good ... the new orchid in bloom that you have must be a phalaenopsis(I am assuming) but if it is not then you need to know what kind of orchid that is...then look for the correct orchid culture for it and follow a regular watering regimen...fertilizer it once a week ... welcome to OB!

[zxyqu]

Not a problem at all. First of all try and read through this thread, as it has lots of useful information: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html
But, I'd start with proper watering. This means watering heavily, but avoiding the crown if your plant has one (post a pic also, so we can determine the type of orchid). Then, let the plant mostly dry out. This can take 1-2 weeks, especially in winter and depending on your conditions and growing media (also, could you let us know what media it's in, bark, moss, etc.)
Once the flowers drop, or are starting to drop, come right back here and we'll give you a headstart on what's next.

[Sebastian]

OK I do have a pic if you go to the welcome forum and go to the breaking the ice and look under "new Guy pics" u well find my pic but latter I well send and post pic thanks for the fast reply

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[Daethen]

Make sure there are drainage holes in the pot as well.

[zxyqu]

Ok cool. Also, like Bud mentioned what growing zone are you in, and could you tell us what growing media the plants are in.
For your information the plant in the left of this picture is a Phalaenopsis (you can tell by the single growth in the center of the plants, with all new leaves coming from the center, ie the crown) Do NOT get water inside this point of the plants. When watering water around the edges being as careful as possible to not let water roll down into the center of the plant. Also, try to water early in the morning as this will increase the ability of the water to evaporate if you do get some in the crown.
The one on the right is an oncidium type. This has multiple shoots (or growths) that are all connected to the roots ball below. This also looks like a bark mix, but I'm guessing from the pic. Also try to avoid getting water down into the inside of these plants, but it is less of a concern than with the Phals. These also tend to do better (Bloom and grow new shoots) in increased light over Phals.
Post some more pictures if you can, but hopefully the above will give you a good start

[Sebastian]

ok my growing zone is 9a Im in northern Calif also I you saw the pic , you can see I have a eastern facing window , and if that is good for my plants , this window is pretty big and will post pic on that also

[Bud]

I saw the pictures. Those are beautiful flowers ... I can understand your concern on learning how to care for them...the culture for Phalaenopsis is totally different from Oncidium culture...even the media used is different... so you are dealing with two kinds of orchids; but they are both easy to care for and both are very tenacious orchids...just follow the culture and maintain a constant watering regime and fertilizer it weakly weekly...you will discover that they will keep on blooming for you.

[Sebastian]

Thanks so much I knew I had two different orchids. Now I just need to keep their needs up to par with their culture

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[Bud]

Read the Charles & Margaret Baker culture and look for Phalaenopsis and Oncidium(you may at first be bored by it but just try to understand and relate to it; you need not memorize it or learn it by heart: just browse through it and pay attention and you are set !

Orchid Culture -- Charles and Margaret Baker