Can I really do this (newbie thoughts and doubts)?

[The Mutant]

I've started to really doubt my orchid care-taking capabilities, which I really don't need at the moment, what with me having finally received my much longed for Phals and Paphs.

The thing I'm concerned about is that I might have bitten off more than I can chew this time. I ordered so many, confident that I could care properly for them, but now, after watching three-four of the new arrivals starting to sag visibly, I'm very much in doubt.

I really don't know what to do except wait and keep my fingers crossed they will pull through. It's the Phal pulchra, one of the Phal Ambotris, the Phal Braquestris, and the Phal equestris 'Apari' pink that are the ones not being too happy at the moment, with the pulchra being the most depressed of them. I start working tomorrow which means I won't have time to spray their foliage with water to try and minimize the damages of the stress that I suspect is the cause of these guys conditions (and the fact that they all were the ones with not such good root systems doesn't help).

The Phal Braquestris might be a lost case since the newest leaf it had growing, turned yellow so I pulled it out. I've no idea what to do at this moment. It didn't look like crown rot, but the newest leaf's not supposed to turn yellow as far as I know.

In regards to the Paphs, I repotted all the ones from Popow yesterday and noticed that they were all overpotted and didn't have much of root systems. Since I didn't have pots in a better size, I had to put them back in those they came in. I added packing peanuts to the substrate in hopes of avoiding future root rot.

I've also started thinking what the heck I've been doing, getting so many Paphs, when I don't even know if I can get them to bloom at all. Sure, I love their mottled foliage, but I love the flowers as well and would really like to have some elegant slippers light up my days in the future. And not all of them have the mottled foliage either, so what will I do with those if I fail to get them to bloom for me? The ones I've had for the longest seem to grow at least, but that's no sign of getting any flowers in the future.

I'm just feeling sad and a bit down at the moment, wondering how the heck I'm supposed to be able to care for them all and whether or not some of them are doomed already...

[bballr4567]

Paphs usually have smaller root systems especially compared to phals.

You can do it though but, that is the reason my collection grows by three plants max at a time. Little hard to gauge which plants need attention when you have 20+ at one time.

[silken]

You'll get over this feeling. It's a bit overwhelming to receive so many new plants at a time! If there were any roots at all, your limp Phals will likely perk up again. They just need to adjust.

I just rescued a number of very neglected Phals from a grocery store and re-potted and cleaned all of them. There were 25 but at least 5 went in the garbage. 8 or more are on hold till I see if they survive and the rest go for prizes at our orchid society meeting today! In those 8 worse ones, a number had dying newer leaves that turned yellow, even tho it didn't look like total crown rot. Maybe in their condition, they decided they couldn't produce a new leaf at the moment. I just sprayed them with a bit of fungicide and they aren't rotting or anything. If it's just the leaf, they should produce a new one at another time.

In the end, all you can do is your best and you know you have done that. the rest is up to the plants! You'll get over the uncertainty as soon as you see a new positive change in something and that will happen soon I think

[billc]

Almost all orchids take a slight turn for the worse when you bring them into a new environment. Don't fret too much about it. They are very hardy and adaptable and most will acclimate just fine.
In 2 months, you'll be posting pictures galore of all your new growth!

Bill

[WhiteRabbit]

I'd refrain from misting the foliage
I've never done this. I don't have many Paphs or Phals, but am always concerned about having water sit in the crowns, and am extremely careful to avoid that, or should some get in crowns during watering, doing what I can to get it out. Especially in the small Phals, those crevices at the crown are so tiny

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[dounoharm]

i know the feeling, sometimes its easy to start a project then become overwhelmed by it....but cheer up, like was said above, orchids take a slight shock period to acclimate to our environment....i have a greenhouse, and order from hawaii frequently, even with the best of care, it seems they need a period of time to get used to north carolina greenhouse conditions from hawaii conditions....i find it best to let them stay a bit on the dry side for a couple weeks, and put them in a regular watering cycle when they show new root growth...it takes some time, specially with home conditions...they have to get used to the house versus the greenhouse growing environments....cheer up, they will be fine or not, its normal to lose some plants when first starting a new genus....dont let it stress you! gl and good growing to you!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Don't freak out.

If you must know...

One of the parent species to your Phal Braquestris, (Phal braceana x Phal equestris), Phalaenopsis braceana is actually a species that has the ability to become deciduous. So your Phal Braquestris is not going to die if it becomes leafless. The roots will be able to take care of themselves.

The species Phaleanopsis pulchra is one of those with soft, lighter green leaves, much like the Phals that are in the video links of them growing in situ that I've posted on other people's posts asking about Phals, instead of having the thick leathery leaves you see on hybridized Phals . The roots are rather thin, instead of the thick ones you normally see on the hybridized Phals. Well check this out...all you have to do is - water a little more frequently. That's it. There's nothing to this.

I'll repost those video links here:

Phalaenopsis in natural habitat ( in situ) - YouTube

Visiting Phalaenopsis cornucervi (orchid) habitat in the swamp of Borneo-part 1 - YouTube

Visiting Phalaenopsis cornucervi (orchid) habitat in the swamp of Borneo-part 2 - YouTube

Visiting Phalaenopsis cornucervi (orchid) habitat in the swamp of Borneo-part 3 - YouTube

Visiting Phalaenopsis cornucervi (orchid) habitat in the swamp of Borneo-part 4 - YouTube

Visiting Phalaenopsis cornucervi (orchid) habitat in the swamp of Borneo-part 5 - YouTube

Here's something you can do next time...

In the future, if you'd like to try out some orchids and you're not sure about them, you may post questions regarding the orchids in question to see if anybody with experience can answer your questions or concerns.

[Rowangreen]

At least you are being sensible and sticking to a couple of types! I keep adding totally different types (already had noid phals and various oncidium alliance hybrids): Lycaste, Maxillaria, Epidendrum, Prosthecea, plus ferns and carnivores (had to get special water for the latter...). And of course now I'll be making my first internet order for the project... I might be getting my first Paph so I might need your help with it! LOL

Know what you mean about being overwhelmed. So far my expanding hoard seems to be doing OK, though some seem to be sulking (eg my Max. variablis has done NOTHING, and I'm hoping it's just it considers it's winter and it's resting). It's true, a month or so after getting them I have several that ARE putting on new growth and that is great! (My Max ten is working on new pulbs... my mystery Lycaste has a new shoot and I'm still hoping there's a chance of flowers...).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

@ Rowangreen - How much light are you giving Max. variabilis? They can handle light that Cattleyas grow under.

Lycaste have dormancies, watch your watering during the tail end of dormancy. I'd wait until it shows obvious signs of activity before watering.

[Wynn Dee13]

I don't think I would mist them either. You just have to give them time to adjust. They have just been shipped in a box from their homes, transplanted then put in a whole new environment. A lot of newbies overly smother their plants and it is best to leave them be when your not watering or repotting. Also if a few die don't be too hard on yourself. I think almost everybody kills a few when they first start out. I know I did and I still loose one now and then. All you can do is your best! If you can bloom Phals you should be able to bloom Paphs. Enjoy your new hobby! Good luck and like the others said your worries will pass soon!