just got a new orchid

[jenmcd03]

so, on a scale of 1-10, most people water their orchids at least once a week? and use the fertilizer every 2 weeks?

am i getting this right?

[Tsuchibuta]

I really wouldn't worry to much about the fertilizer. The method I began growing with and they method I tell all my relatives that I give plants to is very simple when it comes to Phals. Get yourself one of the dixie cups that people normally have in their bathrooms. The small ones for rinsing out the mouth. Use that to water your plant and water it once a week with just that dixie cup of water. (In the winter the house can get pretty dry so I up it to twice a week but only in the winter with the heat cranked up). Put in a window that gets indirect light or filtered light and enjoy. It will grow and bloom fine for you. It may not be the largest plant on the block but it will survive. As for fertilizer, just give it a small bit once a month or so. I have told many people to grow there phals like this and NONE of them have died yet and all of them bloom regularly. My mother in law has a black thumb but she has kept the Phal I gave her going for 3 years using this method. (note: method does not work well on other species, also if potted in bark may need to give slightly more water as the bark doesn't hold as much water. If in moss then water as directed). Lastly I must note that of the few orchids I have killed mainly it is because I literally loved them to death not that I neglected them too much.

[jenmcd03]

my 'popular moth orchid' for a local nursery










the wedding promenade orchid










so pros, what do you see, good or bad?

[quiltergal]

They both look great, nice healthy looking roots. Now keep in mind that moss and I are not friends. I only have one plant that's in moss and that will be eliminated as soon as it's done blooming. First thing I would do is ditch the moss and repot in bark or coco husk. I prefer coco. It works better for me than most other mediums in my conditions. If you decide to leave it in the moss for now water SPARINGLY. Check the roots every time you water and make sure you don't see any that start looking black. That's a sure sign of root rot. If you start seeing that don't wait. Repot immediately.

I have to disagree with Tsuchibuta about fertilizer. Lack of adequate, regular nutrition is one of the main reasons orchids don't rebloom for most people. Lack of adequate light is the other reason. I know first hand. I have 3 large phals that I've had for a couple of years and I could never get them to rebloom for me. I started the 125ppm N about 6 months ago and feed at every watering. They are all in spike now and one is even double spiking. JMO

[jenmcd03]

i have bought a bag of orchid mix that contains western fir bark and hort. charcoal for when i re-pot.

which i have to wait until it has no blooms or full blooms?

[kiki-do]

Gorgeous blooms Jen! kiki