First Orchids, Newbie Questions. - Page 4 - Orchid Board

kindrag23 · #31 11-08-2013, 08:33 PM

And yes the the holes were for airation; basically to make sure The media dries out and the roots are able to breath.

Bulbofett · #32 11-09-2013, 09:49 AM

Just wanted to chime in here for a sec and comment on the clearance plants not being the best for beginners. I humbly disagree to an extent. I think it depends on your gardening experience. I started out with one clearance Phal, and it was the best way for me to learn. That little phal opened up a whole new world of gardening for me. Before, I had just been a succulent/cacti enthusiast.

I learned so much by taking care of the clearance orchids. Out of the 6 clearance ones I have purchased, only one didn't make it, and that was my fault for cutting the leaves off :/

I don't pick up phals anymore since they're a dime a dozen in the clearance section, but I've added a few dendrobiums, oncidiums, etc... that I find.

Optimist · #33 11-09-2013, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

Just wanted to chime in here for a sec and comment on the clearance plants not being the best for beginners. I humbly disagree to an extent. I think it depends on your gardening experience. I started out with one clearance Phal, and it was the best way for me to learn. That little phal opened up a whole new world of gardening for me. Before, I had just been a succulent/cacti enthusiast.

I learned so much by taking care of the clearance orchids. Out of the 6 clearance ones I have purchased, only one didn't make it, and that was my fault for cutting the leaves off :/

I don't pick up phals anymore since they're a dime a dozen in the clearance section, but I've added a few dendrobiums, oncidiums, etc... that I find.

I totally agree that you have a point and I respect it. Clearance orchids are a great place to learn for those of us with some understanding of the way plants work. I think that they are a way to become highly frustrated and give them up too -- for the beginner who is just starting with orchids. I have also moved away from phals since orchids with pseudo bulbs are better for my area of the country, and you generally do not find these in the discount racks.

RandomGemini · #34 11-09-2013, 01:24 PM

I'm pretty new to gardening indoors. I'd had orchids for about a month before I picked up a clearance rack orchid at the hardware store.

Honestly, it was a good learning experience for me too, but I'd already joined this forum before I purchased my clearance rack plant and I have OB to thank for teaching me how to save it. Now, it's sitting behind me in my window sill, happily growing new leaves and roots. I can't wait to see it get healthy and bloom again.

I think that for some beginners, saving a clearance rack plant can be so rewarding that it fosters a life long love of orchid growing. I think it has done that for me.

axelrod12 · #35 11-19-2013, 07:58 PM

I was away for a week and just got back yesterday. When I got home and did my rounds checking on all my tanks and plants I noticed that the smaller phal had a leaf that was turning yellow. Today I poked at it a little and noticed that it was basically hanging on to the base of the plant by a thread and it eventually fell off. It was one of the lower leaves. Could this just be the plant adjusting to new conditions? Maybe lack of water from the week I was gone? Or could it be something else I should be concerned about?

Here's a pic with the fallen leaf next to one of the ones that it still fine.

First Orchids, Newbie Questions.-1119131900a-jpg

RandomGemini · #36 11-19-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axelrod12

I was away for a week and just got back yesterday. When I got home and did my rounds checking on all my tanks and plants I noticed that the smaller phal had a leaf that was turning yellow. Today I poked at it a little and noticed that it was basically hanging on to the base of the plant by a thread and it eventually fell off. It was one of the lower leaves. Could this just be the plant adjusting to new conditions? Maybe lack of water from the week I was gone? Or could it be something else I should be concerned about?

It's normal for phals to drop their lower leaves. As long as the rest of the plant is healthy, it's nothing to worry about.

axelrod12 · #37 11-19-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

It's normal for phals to drop their lower leaves. As long as the rest of the plant is healthy, it's nothing to worry about.

Ok, Thanks. Glad its normal, I guess it being a new plant and me being away for a week made me worry it could be something else.

RandomGemini · #38 11-19-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axelrod12

Ok, Thanks. Glad its normal, I guess it being a new plant and me being away for a week made me worry it could be something else.

A week should be no big deal to a Phal. They only need to be watered about every seven to ten days anyway.

axelrod12 · #39 11-19-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

A week should be no big deal to a Phal. They only need to be watered about every seven to ten days anyway.

Good to know. I was gonna actually ask how often and how much I should water them. I noticed that I'll pour some water in now with the new mix and it will start draining out the bottom really fast and I would stop. The media seems to be completely dry after a day or two. I wasn't sure if it was absorbing enough.

RandomGemini · #40 11-19-2013, 09:42 PM

There's a thread for that in the beginner section. The first twelve or so pages should give you everything you ever wanted to know about how phals grow and their basic care. The skewer method is described in there somewhere, this is how I know when my orchids need watered.

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