Hello, new to orchids.

[otterb22]

Originally Posted by Lilavati

Well, if you could send us a picture of the plants, it would help. But with Phals, if the stalk still seems to be alive, just cut it back to a node (thickened spot) near the base of the spike and it may rebloom. Some other orchids will rebloom off the same spike as well, but most will not. With Phals its always important to note if that spike is still alive.

Does the slimmer leaved orchid grow upwards, with its leaves laying over each other one and a time, or does it sprawl all over its pot with leaves coming up from the potting mix?

hello again. The slimmer leaved orchid grows upward. a small little leaf comes from way down inside the previous leaf, and I get so excited when I get a new leaf. ( You can tell I am new at this can't you? Ha ) It grows almost like a stalk of corn. It has 3 leaves and a new 4th one is just starting. At the base of the plant it looks like 3 new green fat little roots are sprouting downward toward the dirt. I assume this is good. I have noticed the oldest leaf has a redish purple tint to it, does this mean I am over watering?

[greenbean]

welcome to OB!

your first orchid sounds like something in the vanda alliance. you should really post it helps the rest of us a lot to help you. it's a little confusing at first, but you'll get the hang of it. the red-purple on the leaf probably means that the plant is getting as much light as it can take. sounds like it's growing well, so keep up the good work!

[otterb22]

Originally Posted by greenbean

welcome to OB!

your first orchid sounds like something in the vanda alliance. you should really post it helps the rest of us a lot to help you. it's a little confusing at first, but you'll get the hang of it. the red-purple on the leaf probably means that the plant is getting as much light as it can take. sounds like it's growing well, so keep up the good work!

Thanks greenbean! I don't have the photo capability so my weak discription will have to do. Ha I am also new to computers so if I get things in the wrong place please forgive me. I may have clicked on the same place in the introduction and posted my greeting and question 3 times. When I do have more questions which place do I go to to post new questions? Thanks to all who help out the new orchid lovers.
otterb22

[greenbean]

Hehe, some of us aren't good with computers even after we've used them for a decade or so.

That's why we have orchids! They're so much nicer than computers, but I suppose computers are at least good for talking about orchids, and viewing pictures of orchids,........and buying and trading orchids!

By "I don't have the photo capability" do you mean you don't have a digital camera so you can't post pics online, or do you mean that you don't know how? For the former, I understand. I just got into digital a few years ago. You will probably succumb to digital cameras just as you have orchids (well, maybe not quite as fervently ). As to the latter, there are directions on how to post pics to OB in the "About the OB" forum

When you have new questions, you can search for the topic of your question using the search button near the top of the page, in the purple bar of links. Personally, I like to peruse the topics until I find the one I'm looking for, but that tends to take a little more time. Using the search function should help locate the topic you want much faster. Then use the "new thread" link near the bottom to post your question.

If you have any problems you've got a lot of people here to help!