new to orchids...some questions about potting and hydration

[seanbugeja]

hi all, just bought an orchid yesterday...spent all day today researching online as i want to learn more about them. i have some questions and it would be great if someone answers me about them

1. they came in the pot which can be seen in the picture. Can i keep them in there? does the pot need to have holes on the sides...it has many holes in the bottom and is not retaining any water.

2. When watering (soaking for 10 minutes) the roots which are above the soil remain silver. the ones in the soil are green. would i neglect the colour of the roots above the soil. will they eventually be hydrated? or should i somehow dampen them?

thanks in advance for your help

[No-Pro-mwa]

Hello and welcome to the forum. It looks like it can stay in there for a bit. There is a sticky up on top of this page called The Phal abuse ends here. If I knew how to link it I would but I do not. It is very long but you won't have to read all of it just the first few pages to get good info.

I try running water over the top ones and try to keep them hydrated but they don't always. As long as the root sin the pot are OK then it's fine.

[estación seca]

Your plant looks great! Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Phalaenopsis in containers do well if they get dry between waterings. The thread No-Pro-mwa mentioned is in the Beginner forum. There is another thread there about using wooden cooking skewers to check the moisture at the center of the pot.

[seanbugeja]

thankyou guys you were a great help...will read through it thanks again