just got a new orchid

[jenmcd03]

for a present. After 6 months of not being able to drive (seizures) i was presented with this: Phal Wedding Promenade from Lowes.

I have no clue as to what to do with this. I did try to have an orchid once, and it met it's demise after only a few months.

So i'm here looking for any information on soil (it's in this moist stuff that doesn't look like soil, in a container within a more decorative container, light, watering.

So really any help to get this novice started would be appreciated.

Thanks
jen,

[kiki-do]

Hi Jen, Welcome to OB! First of all, you have a very nice Phalaenopsis there! It's not in soil but probably in sphagnum moss. They are also good in bark mixes. They have orchid mix in Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmarts, but the bark chips are rather big. It works, however. I like to put it in a mix of coconut husk, perlite, and charcoal. Soak your mix overnight before you repot. It helps them mix retain water better. Orchids are never in soil, soil will suffocate them. They are a different type plant, but oh so rewarding to own. Phals like to be moist and that is why they are in moss, but oftentimes they get too wet and then root rot can occur. Moss is good in greenhouse situations, but in homes...bark seems to be a better fit for them. Look under the "Site Menu" to the left of this OB website, click on Forums and scroll down quite a ways you will find the culture sheet on the Phalaenopsis. It will tell you step by step what Phals like for perfect care.
And if you have any questions, fire away, we love to help. Have fun here at the Orchid Board!
kiki

[jenmcd03]

thanks kiki

moss, that is what i was trying to describe. when it got it was really moist, but it's not so much now - i just checked it.

how often do you water? should i take the plastic container out of the decorative one to water the orchid and put that in one of those plastic things under that plastic container that catches water overflow?

i don't want to drown it that may of been my first orchids fate a few years ago.

[Dorothy]

Here is the Care Sheet Ki-Ki spoke of - http://www.orchidboard.com/Phalaenop...ure-Care-Sheet
The sheet explains how phals like bright light but not direct light .. you can place them in a window that doesn't get direct sunlight into it or in a window shielded with a sheer curtain.
Water your phal once a week .. they like to dry out between waterings.
Don't allow your phal to sit in water but you can prop it up above water to provide it with a bit of humidity.
Keep your phal in some kind of orchid mix medium .. bark or coconut chips as the predominate ingredient as Ki-ki suggested.This allows for good drainage and air circulation to the root system.
These are just some phal basics ..

IF you have any other questions or need more details .. please ask

[Jo Ann]

Hi jen...

You came to a great place there are lots of knowledgeable people here…however I’m not one of them I’m still a novice…I can relate to your seizure and driving problem as I too suffer from the same thing…I take Dilantin to be able to function…

[kiki-do]

See, now watering a phal is a little different for me. I put the pot in water once a week or so (I go by sticking my finger way down in to see if it's still wet). I soak it good, then I drain it off and put it in a plastic water catcher...unless the plant is tipsy, then it goes into a heavier solid pot that keeps if from falling over. I don't let my plant completely dry out. When it is almost completely dry, I water it again. I try to keep all my phals in a clear pot so I can actually see the moisture beads and that tells me all is well. I don't keep it sopping wet, but never dry out, either. I have two in spaghum moss cause they were in bloom when I got them and can't change it out now....but I worry about how wet they are and how it's been two weeks and I haven't watered it cause it is still so wet! That makes me really nervous. As soon as the blossoms are done, out goes the moss. That's me, though. Everyone has a little different way to care for theirs. So much depends on your mix, etc. I also live in a colder area and use woodstoves, so my plants will dry out quicker...even though they are not that close to where the stove is. That culture sheet is an excellent piece of information to start with for your basics. kiki

[Oldguypops]

Welcom to the OB jen.

You came to the right place to get help. I believe this site has the top minds in home orchid growing on the planet. (I no longer go anywhere else to find information.)

On the Orchid Board, there are no questions too minor or great to ask. Everyone is willing to share their successes and failures, and we are as excited by your successes as you are.

If you follow the advice of those posted above me, you will have much more success with this orchid than you did with the last. And if you are like the rest of us, you will realize how awesome these plants are, and want another. (...and another...and another...and another...and another)



Chris

[jenmcd03]

i have should change this thread to i just got 2 orchids. this one just says phal moth orchid. it's white, and i have always loved white although my favorite is yellow, tiny little blooms (not sure what it is called).

anyway, it came in a clear pot and i got a larger one to set it in. it was planted in chips, charcoal (i think) and moss. the moss i had i used to over the size difference.

so now, my question. both of my 'babies' have full blooms, one has 3 and the other has 2. both have buds. what time of year (sorry, i didn't see it listed on the page link - has to do with my meds more than anything) can i change the plant from the plastic pot to a larger container. the roots look really crowded. but i thought that i had read not to do it with blooms. i have an orchid mix that includes western fir bark and hort. charcoal and also sphagnum moss, so help please?

and the second question (last one, i promise) i got this orchid fertilizer. can't remember the name of it, but it had 5-6-7 on it and said to use 1/2 capful in 1 gallon water. does that seem right? is this everytime i water? once a week, if the plant is dry?

as you all can see i'm so a novice and need instruction badly. but at least i know that i came to the right place.

[kiki-do]

Jen!
First of all, without pictures, it's hard to tell you exactly what is up with your plants. Orchids do like to be somewhat crowded, though. Because you have blossoms on, I definitely would NOT repot now. Once the blossoms are completely done and you are sure no others are coming on from that spike, then you can repot. It may be a couple months before it's okay to repot. Only if I suspected root rot or something that may harm the plant would I attempt to do that now. Do they look nice and healthy? You said it's a clear pot, do the roots look good or are they blackish? Being crowded is not going to hurt them right now.
The orchid food is a tough call. It seems like a weak enough formula. I fertilize mine every other watering, but my formula is stronger than yours. I think if it were me, I would still fertilize every other watering.
Others may have more imput on this than I do. Other OB members?????
Hey Jen, you don't have to apologize for asking questions. That is what this OB site is all about. Bring it on! We are here to Congrats on your new purchases......now you need to post for all of us to see! kiki

[quiltergal]

Hi Jen! Kiki's right will help. Most orchids like to be snug, but not too tight in their pots. There are also some that seem to grow wildly when over potted. Many folks here repot all new plants they bring home immediately even in bloom. Others like Kiki and myself will wait until it's finished blooming unless there appears to be an obvious problem. Repotting while in bloom doesn't always mean you lose the blooms, sometimes the plant just goes on as if nothing has happened.

As for your fertilizer question, you will hear lots of variations on what you should do. Weakly, weekly is one recommendation (whatever that means). Half strength is another (still all over the chart depending on what your formulation is). There was a study done by Michigan State University about strength of fertilizer for optimum growth and flowering. Ray Barkalow (a member here) subscribes to the MSU study and recommends 125ppm N as a happy medium for all orchids. The fertiizer you are using will require you to use 2tsp/gal water to reach 125ppm N. Here is a link to Ray's website. There is loads of great information there that makes lots of sense. Check out the area that says Free Information. We are very lucky to have Ray here.

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