Care tips for a Petite Phalaenopsis with wilting flowers - Orchid Board

vchan07 · #1 01-03-2014, 04:42 PM

Hey all, I'm an amateur to not only orchids but plants in general. I've had a Petite Phalaenopsis for two weeks and I have no idea what I'm doing.

I'm not sure how much and how often to water my orchid. I've been told to water once a week, water when the medium is dry, water when the roots are white, etc. And when I do water it, how much water should I give it???

I also live in sunny California and the humidity is fairly low. I got a spray bottle to mist my plant, but do I mist the leaves? The roots? The blooms? How often should I mist anyway?

The flowers are starting to wilt and I'm seeing a little bit of wilt in the roots too, so I'm pretty worried.

I've attached a few images for reference. Overall I'm confused since there's all sorts of conflicting advice, so any clarity would be appreciated.

RandomGemini · #2 01-03-2014, 05:42 PM

That one wilted bloom in the back seems pretty normal to me. The one in the front hasn't finished opening yet.

I'm not a mister. Some people like to mist, I don't mist potted plants. Misting just isn't my thing. I use a humidifier to handle all of my misting needs.

This phal should be placed near an east facing window where it will get around 10 to 12 hours of filtered sunlight per day.

I would water it once every 7 to 10 days, when the pot is light as a feather, and the medium the plant is in is as dry as a bone.

Any wilted flowers, well, that's normal. Who knows how long the plant was on a shelf waiting for you? You have new buds that are getting ready to open, I think this little guy is going to be just fine as long as you don't overwater him. I would actually rather it get a little too dry, than too wet.

Roots that are too wet, are in prime conditions for rot to set in, which can kill the plant.

The hardest part of being a beginner for me, has been learning not to fuss over my plants. It sounds like this one will be hard for you too.

Welcome to the board!

MattWoelfsen · #3 01-03-2014, 08:16 PM

Welcome to the OB vchan07! RandomGemini provided excellent advice...your plant looks very good. It looks like a Sogo Vivienne flower. I would encourage you to allay your worries and buy a couple of more of these "petite" Phalaenopsis. Your windowsill looks like it can hold more plants!

Regarding misting, like RandomGemini indicated, I do not mist Phalaeopsis as they are prone to crown rot--if you spray the leaves and do not dry out the center of the plant. Phals enjoy humid air, so get a deep dish, fill it with pebbles, place your pot on top of that, fill the dish with water, to the level just below the pot--you do not want the pot in water. This will provide humidity.

Leafmite · #4 01-03-2014, 09:53 PM

Phal orchids are an excellent plant for beginners. The cravats are over-watering and getting water in between the leaves. In nature, many phals grow sideways so that the water drains out. The roots are exposed to the humid air. The medium is present only to keep the air around the roots humid, not to keep them constantly wet. They like warmth and bright, indirect sun. Good luck!

Edward Brookes · #5 01-04-2014, 04:15 AM

I think that misting indoor orchids is an invitation for crown rot. Follow the advice given so far. Also do read as much as you can on Orchid Board - so much excellent advice from people who are genuinely interested in promoting the hobby of orchid cultivation.

WaterWitchin · #6 01-04-2014, 10:03 AM

Welcome vchan! Very pretty little "petite."

But it sure looks lonely. If you get a couple more, with a humidity tray underneath all, just think how happy it would be.