I'm New to this Orchid thing:)

[Orchidnewbie1]

Ok here we go. I bought my first Orchid and it's, you quessed it, an Ice Orchid. I know, what a goof ball but I am looking forward to trying Orchids. They are so beautiful. Anyway, I plan to water it by soaking in warm water. Not ice. Question is, with what and how ofter do I fertilize. I know they make Orchid food but can I use any plant food? Also, my Mom has an Orchid that bloomed once a year ago and I checked the roots but there were non so I cleaned it up and help her keep it watered. Still won't bloom but it's alive. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Bud]

welcome aboard!

giving us your grow zone, environment data and then posting pictures of your plant would make it easier to help you.

Ice orchids dont need warm water or ice....the water directly from the sink at room temperature once a week will do. Ice orchids are put in a coarse bark mix so it is draining well, aerates the roots yet holds enough moisture so as long as you dont use ice youre going to be fine....
Ice orchids come with a cache pot with no holes so you need to remove the plastic pot from the cache pot to drench it under the sink until the water is flowing, then let it dry a bit and put it back to the cache pot.
read and study what the other members post about Phalaenopsis and once you get the culture down pat and have a regular watering/fertilizer regimen then you will be just fine.

[Orchidnewbie1]

Wow! Thanks that was fast. We live in East TN zone 7. Very humid in Spring - Fall. Very cold in the Winter ie Snow! The house stays in the upper 60's to low 70's and I have my new Orchid in a South West window with a sheer curtain so it won't fry. I don't have a picture yet but will try to put one on board asap.

[Ordphien]

Welcome!
In my house I mix a little sphagnum moss with the bark for some more water retention.
As far as fertilizing I use a balanced urea free orchid fertiliser but there's alot of options out there.
My fertilizer is Grow More.
The only ones near me that was urea free...
I use RODI water mixed with tap.
I flush with pure RODI (or distilled or rain) water once a month.
And when I fertilize I always water the day before and use a 1/4 strength solution.
What else...
I only water in the mornings... and I fertilise every third watering or so.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[The Orchid Kid]

I'm a newbie too, but hopefully can help a little. Most orchids like a couple of feeds a month when in growth.

Little or non in winter when they either slow down or completely rest. I use babybio (general indoor houseplant stuff) BUT mix it half strength as orchids like it less potent. Recently got some orchid specific feed, so will use that from now one.

[SlipperGirl]

Hi and welcome to OB

for the fertilizer I use MSU orchid fertilizer.

here is a link to aos.org click on there orchid culture sheets then just find your orchid If you dont know what kind of orchid it is there are pictures so you can see what one looks like yours. My guess is you have a phalanopsis. Good luck and ask if you have any questions

Orchids, The American Orchid Society

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

I've been using either the Better-Gro Orchid Plus 20-14-13 fertilizer (purchased at Home Depot), or Grow More Urea Free 20-10-20 orchid fertilizer (purchased at local retail nursery or local hardware chains), and have been happy with both

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Hi, and welcome to the OB.

In addition to the link to the AOS, you may also feel free to check out the OB's "Beginner Discussion" sticky: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

The sticky should have some basic biological info that may be somewhat challenging to research or that you may not have known about your "Just Add Ice Orchid" (they're generally called Phalaenopsis, btw ). There are a few growing tips in there too.

Got any questions, go ahead and ask. Chances are even if you think the question may be insignificant or "stupid", it may be far more than "insignificant" or "stupid" - it may be a chance to learn.

[Ferns Daddy]

Welcome to OB, the members here like to help a lot I've learned a lot from them in the short time I've been here, so don't be afraid to ask question

[tucker85]

Welcome to Orchid Board! Any fertilizer is better than none. I prefer fertilizers that get a reasonable percentage of their nitrogen from nitrate. The label will tell you the type of nitrogen in it. If it's a general purpose fertilizer you should use 1/4 to 1/2 the suggested strength. If it's a fertilizer made specifically for orchids you can follow the directions on the label.