Hello from Virgina, hardware store waterer

[rainafyre]

Good morning all, I am a fairly newly obsessed with orchids, I bought my first in February and within the next few months grew my small collection to 5 lovely plants. I work at one of the big hardware stores as a waterer and I have been trying my best to do right by all my charges at work, we generally have Phals and Cattleyas. We recently received a half dozen vandas, which I was scared wouldn’t survive long since I’m only part time and the only one who ever remembers we have orchids to care for. Thankfully they all sold quickly. Anyway I just wanted to thank you all for being here and providing such wonderful advice, it has come in handy often while trying to revive my distressed purchases, most of which I’m happy to say are now thriving, though it’s been touch and go with my smallest. Also any advice for caring for my work babies would be appreciated, there is not a lot we are allowed to do for them, only watering, but I want to make sure I can be their best temporary care giver until they find their forever homes

[Ray]

Welcome to the board!

[camille1585]

Welcome to the forum!!!

Your Phals look quite happy on that windowsill, and one in bloom is a really nice color.

I guess the main tip I could give about caring for your work babies is that it is better to err on the side of sligt underwatering rather than overwatering. Both Catts and Phals will be far more tolerant of being a bit too dry as opposed to a bit too wet. This would be especially the case when you get a new shipment and they are more tightly packed on the tables and have less air flow around the pots. And try to avoid getting water in the crown of the Phals, that can lead to rot. Having worked in a garden center as a student, I know it can be tough to do sometimes since you need to get the watering done quickly!

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome to the board, rainafyre! I agree, you've got some healthy looking Phals there. I also think you are a good person to be concerned about the plants at work and want to give them the best care possible.