A few random noobie questions (Watering, light, humidity, etc…)

[jocierk]

Now that I am able to post photos I have a few questions for the experts. Here is my setup:


Directly above the shelf is a vent so they have some air movement, and about four feet in front of the vent is a 3 bulb fixture that I have two full spectrum CF and one that is more on the warm side. That is a south facing window. The room is very large and open so it is hard to get the humidity up in just one area. I recently ordered a gauge for this but it hasn't come yet.

All the orchids are potted in medium sized bark with little chunks of charcoal and sponge rock. I have been using the stick method along with poking my finger in the mix to determine when to water them.

Question number one: It only taken about 3 days for them to completely dry out. I usually wait until day 4, and when I water I let them sit under running tepid water for 3-5 min. To fertilize (which I have only done once cause I haven't had any of them longer then a month and a half) I mix the powder in water and poured it through the pots (after they had already been under the running water for a few min). It seems like most of the liquid (water or fertilizer) just runs out and I make sure none is standing in the pot before they go back on the shelf. What am I doing wrong for them to dry out so fast? Is it going to be ok to water them this often?

Question number two: Are they going to get enough light? The window is slightly shaded by a big tree outside it. Since its sough facing everything I have read says it will be too much, but the leaves are so dark and the two I have had the longest have become droopy.



Question number 3: Are these Catts ok?




I got them from an orchid show at the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. I can only find Phals in my area so I wanted to get something different. They look pretty much exactly like they did when I got them, now that i know more however I am worried that they were severely dried out for the Pbulbs to get like that. Since they came from a show and are my only named orchids I expected them to be in better shape but I feel like they really need some help and I am not sure what to do for them.

Final Question: Are greenish spots on the back of the phals petals normal? Is something I am doing causing these or are they just flowers that are getting ready to fall?


I think that is all for now. Thanks so much for any advice and suggestions. These plants give me so much joy, I just want to do whatever I can to keep them alive and happy.