What should I do to take care of my new babies

[SHag42]

Hey Everyone,

I just received my order from Oak Hill Gardens. It was the 10 seedling special. I requested that they send me phals or other low light orchids. This is what I received.


Phalaenopsis amabilis
Phalaenopsis amabilis v. grandiflora
Phalaenopsis equestris
Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica
Phalaenopsis mariae
Phalaenopsis speciosa
Doritis pulcherrima
Doritis pulcherrima v. champornensis
Aspasia lunata
Gomesa crispa

and I ordered a Phalaenopsis bellina seedling.

I was so excited to get this order I felt like a kid in a candy store opening them all up. They were very well packaged and look like healthy plants. I just wanted to know what I should do with them first?

Them seem a little dry so should I soak them or let them adjust a day or two?

Should I fertilizer them or give the seaweed?

Also how about light should I keep them in full shade till they rest some?

And how about humidity?

I live in North Florida and have been growing my phals on the porch.
They get some nice filtered evening sun and all seem to doing OK. that is after I brought them all back from the brink of death from root rot caused by the heavy amounts of rain we had earlier this year.
The humidity stays around 65% or higher. I live in a very shaded area. Of course I hope to be moving soon to a place with more light so I can grow other orchids.
The plants are in 2 to 2 1/2 inch pots and are planted in bark. I know that seedlings can take a long time to bloom but the price was cheap and I figured it would be good experience for me.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I hope to one day see these babies bloom.

[kindrag23]

Fertilize weakly/weekly, I like better gro orchid plus with out urea. I usually do 1/4 tsp per gallon. Each week, I have also heard that some use seaweed extract every 2-3 weeks as well.

Others will chime in i am sure. but it does sound like you are on the right track.

The above advice is strictly for the phalenopsis I don't have doritas

[DweamGoiL]

You take care of Phals and Doritis in the same manner.

[SHag42]

Hey, Thanks for the advice. The main thing I wish to know is what is the best approach for taking care of plants that have been shipped. These came from WI so they had a long ride. I just want to make sure that I give them the best start they can have in there new home without going in to shock.

[Island Girl]

Yes, you can water them, I'd maybe hold off on the fert til the next watering (? That's up to you, that's more personal preference). Keep them humid, and warm, and start them off in slightly lower light than what they require, and slowly adjust them to higher light, b/c there's not really any way to know exactly how bright they were kept (although, they were in a greenhouse, so it was prob at the average recommended level for the species). And try not to overwater. They should enjoy your porch... That's where I keep mine too ....you dont want to put them in too much shade, so watch for that as well, you can work them up to the amount of sun that the rest of your Phals are in, which will be the right amount if your other Phals have re-bloomed for you.

EDIT: they should be perfectly fine, the only time I worry about shock from shipping (unless it's in the 100°'s, or it's hot, and I've ordered a cooler/intermediate grower) is when I order in the winter/fall/spring, and it's cold out... My last order from them was like this, they sat on the porch in 40° weather, for a lot longer than I'd have liked, but I just warmed them up slowly, and kept them humid & dry... But that doesn't really apply here, just wanted to let u know that there's not really too much to worry about here, IMO

[SHag42]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Yes, you can water them, I'd maybe hold off on the fert til the next watering (? That's up to you, that's more personal preference). Keep them humid, and warm, and start them off in slightly lower light than what they require, and slowly adjust them to higher light, b/c there's not really any way to know exactly how bright they were kept (although, they were in a greenhouse, so it was prob at the average recommended level for the species). And try not to overwater. They should enjoy your porch... That's where I keep mine too ....you dont want to put them in too much shade, so watch for that as well, you can work them up to the amount of sun that the rest of your Phals are in, which will be the right amount if your other Phals have re-bloomed for you.

EDIT: they should be perfectly fine, the only time I worry about shock from shipping (unless it's in the 100°'s, or it's hot, and I've ordered a cooler/intermediate grower) is when I order in the winter/fall/spring, and it's cold out... My last order from them was like this, they sat on the porch in 40° weather, for a lot longer than I'd have liked, but I just warmed them up slowly, and kept them humid & dry... But that doesn't really apply here, just wanted to let u know that there's not really too much to worry about here, IMO

Thanks Island Girl. That answers my questions. I just have never ordered orchids before and was not sure how to handle them. I have 4 more coming from Carter & Holmes but they will be near blooming size plants. Should have those tomorrow. Can't wait.
I also am from NC but I never tried growing orchids there. Did not get the orchid bug till I moved to Fl. and someone gave me one for my B-day. Now I can't seem to get enough of them. I have a bunch more on my wish list but will have to wait till I get moved to buy them. I just don't get enough sun. Sounds funny seeing as I live in the sunshine state.
Thanks again and Happy Growing.

[Island Girl]

You're very welcome! Glad I could help. So, you're from NC? Awesome! Where? I'm in Salisbury, normally, but over the past few summers I've been escaping to the coast, on a little tiny island (away from everything) called Ocracoke. The sea breezes sure as hell beat the 95-105° stagnant air temps in the middle of the state!

...ooh, if this is the first time you've ordered orchids online, then I have to tell/warn u about something... this is a problem ESPECIALLY when ordering from such places as Carter & Holmes, and Oak Hill.... From now on, you might have trouble holding onto your wallet you will see what I mean when u get your plants.... This won't be that last online order! Muahahahah (had ya worried? Heheh )

[LadySoren]

Originally Posted by SHag42

I also am from NC but I never tried growing orchids there. Did not get the orchid bug till I moved to Fl. and someone gave me one for my B-day. Now I can't seem to get enough of them. I have a bunch more on my wish list but will have to wait till I get moved to buy them. I just don't get enough sun. Sounds funny seeing as I live in the sunshine state.
Thanks again and Happy Growing.

Lol, I moved from Fort Lauderdale, FL to near Asheville NC a year and a half ago and didn't get my first orchid until November last year.
I so wish I had when I was in FL. Perfect place for them... Would have loved to see if I could grow some in trees or something just for fun. My sister in law received some phals as gifts and just put then on her porch after the finished blooming and she says they thrive there. She doesn't do anything else to them I don't think. I should see if they need repotting next time I'm down........ Hmm...

Sorry this doesn't have to do with the original subject.

[SHag42]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

You're very welcome! Glad I could help. So, you're from NC? Awesome! Where? I'm in Salisbury, normally, but over the past few summers I've been escaping to the coast, on a little tiny island (away from everything) called Ocracoke. The sea breezes sure as hell beat the 95-105° stagnant air temps in the middle of the state!

...ooh, if this is the first time you've ordered orchids online, then I have to tell/warn u about something... this is a problem ESPECIALLY when ordering from such places as Carter & Holmes, and Oak Hill.... From now on, you might have trouble holding onto your wallet you will see what I mean when u get your plants.... This won't be that last online order! Muahahahah (had ya worried? Heheh )

OK so you had me going there for a minute. I was thinking oh shit I have ordered from the wrong place but I learned of them from this board. Then I read the punch line. Very funny and oh so true. I swear the things just keep finding a way into my life. I am now up to 47 and have 4 more coming. That will make me have as many orchids as years I have lived. Humm just a thought if I keep buying more will it represent the years I will live? Probably not most humans don't live to be 300 or more. Oh well nice thought anyway.

I am from a little place called Boone home of Appalachian State University. Of course it is not so little any more. Lived there my whole life till about 5 years ago. I miss it some but do not miss the snow. I do sometimes long for the fresh mountain air and sweet spring water.
I think my wallet is ok just empty.

---------- Post added at 09:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by LadySoren

Lol, I moved from Fort Lauderdale, FL to near Asheville NC a year and a half ago and didn't get my first orchid until November last year.
I so wish I had when I was in FL. Perfect place for them... Would have loved to see if I could grow some in trees or something just for fun. My sister in law received some phals as gifts and just put then on her porch after the finished blooming and she says they thrive there. She doesn't do anything else to them I don't think. I should see if they need repotting next time I'm down........ Hmm...

Sorry this doesn't have to do with the original subject.

I do love the Asheville area when I move back that is where I want to be. But hopefully that will be a few years down the road. My son is still there and he just got married last year. I plan on moving back when the grandkids come along.
It is true that for the most part orchids love it here. The high humidity suits them well. Of course we have had a very rainy summer and that caused loads of trouble for plants outside. Alot of mine ended up with root rot and are just now pulling out of it. Sucks because now I won't be getting blooms this fall. Oh well I will just have to buy some that are blooming.

[LadySoren]

My brother in law currently currently goes to app state.
I haven't been to Boone yet though.