ID Help

[infinity_blues]

My mom got this little orchid for Mother's day. It didn't have a label or anything so I figured I'd ask here.

Also I noticed today that the blooms are softer than normal and almost drooping, but not to the point of dying. Any idea how to remedy that?

[WaterWitchin]

Phalaenopsis. Don't water until roots turn from green into a sort of silvery color. Probably packed in sphagnum moss in a clear pot so you can see the roots. Could be humidity is lower than what it's used to.

[infinity_blues]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Phalaenopsis. Don't water until roots turn from green into a sort of silvery color. Probably packed in sphagnum moss in a clear pot so you can see the roots. Could be humidity is lower than what it's used to.

I figured it was a Phalaenopsis. The medium it's in is weird - almost like a spongey, cakey substance. It sucks the water right in so I have to be careful about watering. As soon as the blooms drop I'm repotting it into my preferred mix.

And the humidity makes sense. Where I am we just had a sudden drop in humidity yesterday. I'll try misting it and see if it gets any happier.

Thanks!

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[WaterWitchin]

Yes, other than a Phal hybrid, that's about as close as you're going to get. Is the medium perhaps rockwool?

[infinity_blues]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Yes, other than a Phal hybrid, that's about as close as you're going to get. Is the medium perhaps rockwool?

Possibly. I've never heard much about rockwool. I have another miniature orchid that came in a similar substance. I've since repotted that one in a bark/charcoal (I think they're charcoal bits at least)/vermiculite mixture and it's been very happy. So I will do the same to this one in time.

[DeaC]

And I wouldn't worry about the soft blooms. Looks like they're older ones and will drop off by themselves or you can just pinch/cut them off. Misting does nothing for Phals(IMO) but good watering practices will be appreciated. Also you can repot them at any time, blooming or not.

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[WaterWitchin]

Yup, what DeaC says ^^

Rockwool is used by a lot of commercial growers who are growing out orchid seedlings for same. I personally don't see it as a long term medium for most folks. Sounds like you've repotted before, and your bark/vermiculite/charcoal mix sounds good. You could always add a little sphag to the mix, but it isn't at all critical...just prolongs the moisture a bit longer.

[infinity_blues]

Originally Posted by DeaC

And I wouldn't worry about the soft blooms. Looks like they're older ones and will drop off by themselves or you can just pinch/cut them off. Misting does nothing for Phals(IMO) but good watering practices will be appreciated. Also you can repot them at any time, blooming or not.

Okay that is good to know! I always thought if you repotted while they were in bloom it could cause early bloom loss, so I have always waited until the blooms naturally dropped.