New orchid lover

[Leobaby]

Hello,
about a year ago I received from my students a gorgeous blue orchid. I knew it was dyed but I adored it anyways. After the blooms passed, I made the mistake of cutting off the stem as low as I could. A year later, no new spike, no flowers. I did get a baby, tiny , about half an inch, leaf.
And, I bought another orchid, a stunning bicolour one, with violet and light pink. And a yellow one.
After the blooms passed, the leaves on the violet and pink one started yellowing, and falling off.
That's when I decided I should probably repot all three. Sadly, I bought the Miracle Grow orchid mix.
Promptly, all got root rot.
I did everything I could to save them, and now I found this place.
Hopefully, some knowledgeable people will help me save my plants. I've been reading postings on this forum for a few days.
Nice to meet you all.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

[Roberta]

Welcome!

Cutting the spike is not necessarily a problem... I usually leave it, sometimes it will branch and produce more flowers. Where there is green there is hope.

One note... when you have a new orchid, if the medium looks and/or smells bad, you don't have to wait until the blooms fall to repot, Phals really don't mind being repotted whle in bloom, just be gentle so the flowers don't get knocked off. The flowers tend to be long lasting, so waiting until the blooms drop may mean waiting past the point of no return for the roots if the medium is bad..

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

[Ray]

Welcome!

[rbarata]

Welcome aboard, Leobaby!

[Paphluvr]

First off, welcome Leobaby. Sorry to hear about your bad experience with your orchids. I share your opinion of Miracle Grow orchid mix. It might be good for some terrestrials or bromeliads, or mixed with a bit of sand for succulents, but I wouldn’t recommend it for anything else.

From your description of your orchids I assume they are Phalaeonopsis. You should check out “The Phal abuse ends here” in the beginner forum.

[Leafmite]

I actually grow my two Phals in 1/4 inch lava rock as I cannot grow them in moss or bark without rotting out the roots. I use plastic pots with little holes all over to help let some air flow in and out. I have to water often but it is nice not to worry about those roots or wonder when the orchid needs a change of medium.

Slightly cooler temperature will often prompt an orchid to bloom. My home temperatures usually get a little cooler in autumn for a few weeks before we turn on the heat and that is enough to prompt the Phal schilleriana to bloom (which is very much like the ones sold in the grocery/big box stores).

[Canadienne]

Welcome Leobaby,
I grow my Phals in a mix of pumice, charcoal,and lecca. I’m a heavy waterer and this mix does not break down. However, if your Phal came in moss or bark, then transitioning the root system to something else may not work so well. Nearly all my phals came potted in moss, I transitioned them to moss and lecca after flowering, in a clear slotted pot, then when outgrowing that to the mix I’m currently using. I grow mine outside from June till September in the shade. Once temps go to about 15 celcius at night they come in. They flower every winter without fail.i’m just a bit further south then you are, in the London area.
If you’re looking for better quality orchid bark etc, Ontario Growers supply ( in London) has a nice website you can scroll through.there maybe more locations, I’m not certain.

[Leobaby]

I'd like to thank all who welcomed me! It's so nice of you.
Meanwhile, I went a bit crazy... got a couple more orchids, yes, they are all Phalenopsis, I wouldn't even dare trying another kind, since I have trouble keeping these ones alive.
I also ordered some clear pots with holes from amazon, and a soldering gun to make holes in the ones I have. I'm trying to decide if I need to order more leca and moss, or if I should try bark . For now, I am keeping the ones I just bought in the pots they came in from the store.
The new ones are so beautiful!
I am still trying to save the two with no roots though.
Hopefully, no more problems for my flowers