Orchid Advice Please

[tim abbott]

I have phalaenopsis,cattleya,a vanda and some cymbidium plants.

I live about three blocks from the beach in Cocoa Beach, Fl. I keep the orchids outside at a protected northwest corner of the house under a shefflera(sp) tree
so they have lots of indirect light.

I have been watering them about once a week, the pots have very good drainage.

I have some pictures attached. The vanda looks pretty healthy, but it keeps getting brown spots on the leaves.

Should the phalaenopsis with the overgrown roots be repotted?

I was thinking about taking a cutting from the cattleya.
Should I just leave it alone?


The phalaenopsis are the only ones in bloom now, do the others bloom at a different time of year?

1. overview of orchids
2. vanda
3.overgrown phaleanopsis
4. cattleya
5.cybidiums

Thanks

Tim Abbott

[tuvoc]

Hi Tim. To me your plants look pretty good. The phal looks ok, but I would take it out of the glazed pot it is in. These guys need very good drainage, and it looks like that pot has no drainage holes. I'm assuming that the plant is in a seperate pot. The Catt has a new growth coming on it that should bloom for you soon. Leave it alone for now, but be sure to give it very good drainage too. Keeping it wet will cause root rot, and lots of other problems. I can't give you much avice on the others. Hope this helps.

Kim

[tim abbott]

Hi tuvoc(Kim),

Thanks for your advice.

All of the plants have real good drainage so I'm preety sure the root systems are healthy.

It looked to me like the plant in the ceramic pot could use a bigger pot & maybe be placed in the shade more. I thought I would wait until the blooms open & drop off.

Tim Abbott

[Ray]

Phals need warmth and shade. Vandas like it a lot brighter, but if you do move it, go so gradually, or you will burn the hell out of it. Cymbidiums like it bright, but cool.

Do not "take a cutting" from the catt. Most plants do best if left with 2 or 3 mature growths and a new one emerging (the cymbs look like they were overly-divided), and remember that they are connected via a rhizome, so the all share resources for the benefit of the "colony".

[tim abbott]

Thanks Ray.

Tim Abbott

[kiki-do]

Hi Tim! Nice selection you have there!
They all look great and I think Vandas have a tendency to get some black spotting on them...all the ones I have seen show this, so I think that is normal. They all look very healthy. I can even see new growth with the cyms. You're so lucky to be able to grow Vandas and Cyms.
Thanks for sharing!

[tim abbott]

Hi kiki-do,

The luckiest thing is all the orchids were given to me.

I've had the easiest time with the phal.

That is good if vandas have discolorations, it does have new growth.

My mother-in-law carried the cyms. back from Calif. on a plane, I just seperated them so I hope they adjust well & stay healthy.

Tim Abbott