A little help for the complete and total n00b.

[RandomGemini]

I'm REALLY a newbie here. I have never been very good at keeping house plants alive until I discovered that I needed plants that liked more diffuse light, so I now have a really happy lucky bamboo and 2 african violets that seem to be doing well and then my daughter purchased this "Just add Ice" orchid for me, which is cute, but not as pretty as other orchids I've seen and I know that I shouldn't add ice to it. And that's about all I know. I'd like to keep it alive and maybe even have it bloom again for me in a year. I'm thinking, if this one works out and I can keep it alive, maybe I'll add a few other orchids to my collection.

I have been looking through the forums for a primer for the total newbie, someone who hasn't kept terrestrial plants before. I have kept aquatic plants in freshwater aquariums for a while, but house plants are a new thing for me.

Is there a FAQ designed for someone who really has no idea why or how or if you would use epsom salts for nutrients for orchids?

Thanks for helping out the new gal! Much appreciated!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

There's: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

I recommend reading the first 16 pages and the last 3 pages.

If after reading this sticky you still have any questions please feel free to ask.

[RandomGemini]

Thanks! I have been reading that thread, it's got a lot of information in it and I feel the need for a dictionary, but it's very informative!

My most immediate concern is knowing when it's time to water. My african violets have self-watering pots and lucky bamboo is a bog plant, so you just keep them floating in water and fertilize every now and then, and they'll do fine. Orchids seem to like slightly drier conditions. I don't want to over-water.

[Dendy83]

Most people recommend the "skewer method". You just buy some small bamboo skewers (i typically find mine in the grilling/charcoal section at my grocery store), or even a pencil could work. Put the skewer into the media (make sure it reaches into the middle of the pot) and check it once a day...if the skewer is dry then it's time to water...if its damp then wait another day. If your orchid is in moss then just be aware that even if it seems dry on top it could still very well be wet in the middle.

[RandomGemini]

The potting medium is a bark, but I couldn't tell you what kind. The pot it came in is a clear plastic pot, with a decorative cutesy pot on the outside. I'm considering taking the plant out of the decorative pot as I've been reading that some varieties of phalaenopsis have photosynthetic roots. I'm not sure what the exact species is, as that wasn't listed on the plant. I only have the genus.

Thanks for the tip on how to check for dryness! That's very helpful and easy to remember! My plant is definitely dry. The end of the skewer came out without any moisture at all.

Quick questions about watering and feeding:

Is the best method of watering them to give them a soak in lukewarm water for a few minutes, then let the roots drain? Or should I water like any ordinary houseplant?

The plant is currently in bloom. Now would be the time when I should be feeding it, right?

With my freshwater aquatic plants, I don't think much about it because the aquarium has fish and shrimp in there that take care of most of their needs. All I have to do is do a water change when growth slows.

Thank you again for all of your help! It's much appreciated!

[hcastil3]

no you do not feed while in bloom, it really depends on the media for the watering.. there really is no schedule..but I have manage to give people with phals ok advice when they are in moss.. I just tell them water every 8 to 12 days and let it drain as much as possible... it seems to be working for them but, if you really want to make sure just feel the bark.... if moist. dont water.. if dry then water.. check the roots in the middle of the pot these are the ones the root the easiest

[Dendy83]

I forgot to mention to leave the skewer in the pot so you can get an accurate reading the next day.

As far as methods of watering I don't think there's necessarily a right or wrong way. I definitely use luke-warmish water. If mine are very dry then I give them a good soak. But running them under a faucet for a minute is just fine too.

I've learned that the orchids will let me know what works best for them, as well as the way I do things. I tend to be an overwaterer so I've put an inverted plastic saucer poked with holes in my clay pots so they dry out faster and that also ensures the middle won't stay wet for too long. Anyways, orchids seem to be very forgiving, and they are slow growers. So if you notice an issue, you have time to correct it.

[WhiteRabbit]

I fertilize my in-bloom orchids...