New Orchid! First Time Ever! Please Help!

[ScarletLycrois]

: I purchased a orchid from the store yesterday at a bargain price, but I don't know how to care for it. The flowers have fallen off (Which is probably why it was discounted) but I'm pretty sure it'll bud again?

How do I make sure the plant still flowers? It's nearing winter now too so do I have to make sure the plant doesn't get cold? (Sounds silly but do plants even get cold?)

It's a twin stem orchid that had (white flowers I think?) I know it's had flowers they just dropped off naturally in the store. How long till they grow back again?
Oh also, it's pretty tall, at least 30cm!

Please help me & tell me how to make sure the orchid doesn't die and flower again!

[Ray]

What you purchased is a phalaenopsis hybrid. They definitely do not like cold temperatures. I would keep it above 20C, but a couple of degrees cooler wouldn't be deadly.

I would recommend removing it from the plastic sheath, and probable frommthat pot, as it might not have the drainage necessary.

Heed this: orchids, unlike terrestrial plants, do the majority of their respiratory gas exchange through their roots, rather than leaves. That means that you must find the balance of keeping the potting medium moist, while making sure it is open and airy, so the roots can "breathe." If the potting medium stays saturated, the roots will suffocate and die, ultimately taking the plant with it.

One can overdo it though - transplanting it into a coarser mix is a great way to go, but folks then don't water it enough.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I always tell new growers that orchids (especially "moth orchids", = Phalaenopsis, like yours) thrive on a bit of benign neglect.

As Ray said, it should be repotted now. Ask at your local Garden center for orchid bark to pot it in. The bark should be mostly 1 to 3 cm pieces with very little fine dusty material. I also recommend replacing the pot; ask the garden shop if they have orchid pots (these often have holes in the sides and bottom to allow excellent drainage). The pot should be roughly the same size, or a bit larger, than the existing pot. Avoid really large pots. If they have no orchid pots, I recommend a typical unglazed terracotta pot of the right size, with a drainage hole in the bottom.

Pick off any old loose potting medium from the roots. If there are dead roots ( which will feel soft, papery) you should remove them. I prefer to repot with dry orchid bark. You can find the mechanics or repotting Phalaenopsis on YouTube videos, there are at least hundreds of them out here. After repotting, leave the roots dry for at least 2 or 3 days before watering.

When you water, run plenty of water through the bark and roots. Try to avoid watering the leaves. After watering, wait until the bark is nearly dry before watering again. For many people, this equals watering about twice a week. The key is NOT overwatering (which is the usual cause of death for most orchids). Orchids are weak feeders, if you provide any typical water-soluble houseplant food at 1/4 strength once a month, that should be sufficient.

Bright, but indirect light, is good for Phalaenopsis. Prolonged direct sun should be avoided.

Good luck!

[camille1585]

Welcome to Orchidboard!

That's a Phalaenopsis, and with good care you can expect it to start a new flower stem probably in a year. Most of these mass produced hybrid Phals will initiate spikes in late autumn/winter, but as yours has just finished blooming (commercial growers can force them to bloom at any time of year) I doubt that it'll make a new spike in the coming blooming season. Though it is possible!

To get you started, you can have a look at this great thread for lots of useful information on growing Phals.

The Phal abuse ends here.

[Optimist]

They generally bloom once per year, but the blooms last 4 months or so (It depends).

The most important thing is to get it in enough light, and put it in a well draining pot, with new medium, and take it easy with the water.

Once a week watering should do fine. 2X per week in the hot times, 1X in the cool times.

In the photo, you see that nice table in front of that window? That is probably a good place for it.

Buy a clear pot with good drainage. Get that new bark.

Get a real orchid fertilizer, but use at half strength.

The spikes can be cut off at this point.

Look up some info on phals. You can see they are kind of like "air plants." Many grow on tree limbs in mist forrests. But they do with very little water compared to other plants.

Good Luck!

---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:55 PM ----------

Benign Neglect (re: Orchidwhisperer) is really accurate. Hovering and micromanaging really do not work with orchids. Give them some room, and minimal care, check on them but do not constantly water and handle them. Too much water will kill them. Most phals die because people water them too much.

[Leafmite]

Hello and welcome! Looks like you have already gotten great advice on the Phal! Does it have a few little flower buds on the end of the stem? I hope so! Good luck!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board! We look forward to seeing flowers on your plant!

[charlesf6]

Welcome and
Seems you already have lots of sound advice!

[ScarletLycrois]

Thanks for all the advice guys!
For now I'm going to keep it in the pot as it has drainage and the roots seem healthy.
I really don't want to cut it and the stems buds are starting to come out more so I think it might flower again?
For the soil, it already came in a dark soil with what I can see small bits of bark, it seems to be doing fine at the moment with this mix so do I really need to change it?

Again thanks for all the help guys!

---------- Post added at 11:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 AM ----------

[QUOTE=Optimist;852988]

In the photo, you see that nice table in front of that window? That is probably a good place for it.
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---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:55 PM ----------

I was going to place it there but then it'll be in direct sunlight though right? So I moved it behind the sofa, it still gets tonnes of sunlight as it comes into the room, but it's not directly hit. Plus near the window it gets really cold as it's nearing winter.

[Dollythehun]

If the bark looks like it has dirt in it, repot immediately. That fine, dirt looking medium will suffocate your roots.