Bought my first orchid. Need to know more about it! - Page 2 - Orchid Board

floranewb206 · #11 05-01-2013, 09:24 PM

Ok, I was just wondering cause it's pretty compacted in the plastic and wasn't sure if I should get a bigger pot with a drain for it instead.

It's in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch bark pieces but sure I'll end up with something better eventually. Do I need to buy fertiliser immediately, and if so, what kind?

SlipperGirl · #12 05-01-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floranewb206

Ok, I was just wondering cause it's pretty compacted in the plastic and wasn't sure if I should get a bigger pot with a drain for it instead.

It's in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch bark pieces but sure I'll end up with something better eventually. Do I need to buy fertiliser immediately, and if so, what kind?

Orchids do not want alot of room in the pots and from your pic it did not look like it was to big for the pot so I would not worry about it being to tight in the pot.

I use MSU orchid fertilizer for my orchids.

Bill U. · #13 05-02-2013, 12:45 PM

From what it looks like, you have a pretty healthy phal growin! You had a nice find in comparison to many that one would find from the Big Box stores. The pot that you have it in seems pretty good, jut with the finer bark medium that you have it in, you need to make sure that you check the moisture in the center of the pot (close to the root ball). Make sure that isn't constantly sopping wet before you water it, otherwise you will have have root rot problems in the future. I usually end up potting my phals in Better-Gro 8 qt. Special Orchid Mix-5002 at The Home Depot and so far my phals have been lovin' it!

Just about any fertilizer can be used if you have the correct concentrations, but many growers here on OB will recommend the MSU formula.

floranewb206 · #14 05-02-2013, 04:41 PM

Thanks a ton : )

vermin06 · #15 05-02-2013, 05:59 PM

So far it looks healthy, but it looks like it's in straight moss. If it is, I'd really be sure to keep an eye on it, and keep the plastic cup out of the decorative pot for a few days to let the roots get some good air circulation. I recently spotted root rot on a mini phal I got at Trader Joe's which was caused by it being tightly packed into straight moss. I repotted her with a mix of moss and bark and she's doing just fine. Make sure to let the medium dry out between waterings, also. That could take a week or more depending on the environment of your house. Check it daily. Otherwise, great find! It sure is a pretty one

floranewb206 · #16 05-03-2013, 01:19 PM

It's bark, has some moss in it but since I don't know exactly what it's potted in, I'm going to buy the Phalaenopsis mix I saw at HD, the bark looked pretty big.

Should I only water as the center turns completely dry?

Bill U. · #17 05-03-2013, 01:29 PM

Normally you don't want to let a phal go TOTALLY dry in the center- just about when it is on the verge of becoming dry. Growers who use the bamboo skewer method often advise that if you take the skewer out and it does not have a difference in color then it is time to water- the bark normally will have just that little bit of water to hold it over until you water and it soaks up all of the new water you are giving it.

What I personally do is grow in clear pots and observe the roots- when they become silvery, I double check the middle of the pot with my finger to see if I still feel a lot of moisture (a little is okay), and then if there is only a little bit, I water heavily. When growing in clear pots, I am able to have the roots tell me when to water.

RosieC · #18 05-06-2013, 06:36 AM

It looks healthy to me

I would judge how much you water by when that root you can see near the bottom turns silvery in colour. Then water thoroughly but make sure it drains afterwards and wait until the root goes silvery again (they are green when wet).

Personally I would repot when it has finished flowering. It doesn't look like you need to rush to repot, but if you do it after flowering it will help you know that the medium is fresh.

Flowersinyourhair · #19 05-06-2013, 07:01 PM

Most orchids like their roots in tight spaces. Your phal looks pretty healthy. I would keep it in the same pot if you were to change the medium. Changing the pot when roots are busting through or the pot is consumed with roots. ; .)

floranewb206 · #20 05-07-2013, 01:29 AM

Thanks everybody! It was pretty dry today - been eighty around here. I watered it with some Miracle Gro Orchid Food added to warm water. Held it over the sink and shook it a bit to make sure all the water was out.

2 flowers have started to wilt, but one or two buds have bloomed in the past few days.