Novice phal owner - rotten leaf, and crack in another leaf

[Lagoon]

Hay kat! Welcome to our little orchid world

That mix you have it in, is fairly typical for around here - blend of what looks like peat & bark. If you had some more expereince you might just grow very well with this. Watering a mix like thiis is by the teaspoon, LOL! It can hold onto water better then sphagnum moss.

I also think you best to do away with it all - check out your local hardware store, or perhaps a family chain store , garden center ... something of that nature.

You should be able to pick up a few items there, Look for Schultz orchid mix Its a 9 litre bag. It doesn't have the best kind of bark, but works very well for me, a nice mix.

You should be able to find fertilizers too, look for : Miracle grow all purpose plant food. Even numbers on the bottle 8-7-6.

It's nice to be able to shop locally it'll save you money - you don't have tons of orchids, but that 9 liter bag with do a few pots for sure.

HTH

[katfemme89]

Thank you so much Gloria! I appreciate it. I will keep in mind the watering thing. I just watered it well yesterday so I won't water again for about another week. I saw that exact bottle of miracle gro when I was at the store earlier this week, so I'll pick that up today. But I should probably use that liberally, right? is there any trick to using fertilizer?

[sunny]

i spoke with a grower just this weekend she called it a "cosmetic defect". basically, it's just that. it's a crack in the leaf and it shouldn't hurt the leaf any further. however, it is still sustaining the roots so leave it on.

carol

[Joanie]

If you are really serious about growing this plant you need to read the information available from the authoritative sites such as the American Orchid Society. You can go to their web page to get culture sheets for growing orchids. You will find everything there for growing your phal. Try it. Good luck.

[CodiMN]

I find some "guidelines" are just that...
a lot of my learning has come from trial and error. Understanding my particular climate (dry and dang cold!), growing conditions and suggestions from other growers are really what have helped me lots.

So keep asking questions, that's how we all learn and experiment. There is no ultimate "end all and be all" when it comes to our 'chids. Who knows, your experiences might help another fellow orchid lover!

Sunny (Carol) that was so cool that you talked to a grower to ask about the cracked leaf issue! Way to go out of your way to help out!

[katfemme89]

THanks so much! And yes, sunny that was awesome, thanks for asking that question fer me Yeah I'm going to experiment around a little bit with my orchid, but within the realm of the possible of course :-)

You guys rock!