Hi from central california! - Orchid Board

phalgal · #1 03-31-2009, 08:46 PM

I picked up my first phal on valentine's day, where they were on sale at a local drug store. V-day is long gone but I'm in love! I now have a total of 5 phals (sorry no pics at the moment, but will show you soon). I picked up the other four today from a local orchid distributor. I haven't had any problems thus far, I have been reading about the plants religiously. The flowers dropped one by one from my first phal, no buds left, I can only figure it must have been their time to go. I have no clue when it began to flower, but it was with me a good six weeks before they dropped. My noobie question is this: what is a good fertilizer? I have Terracycle 20-20-20 for orchids, and have been following the bottle's directions. I mist the leaves and flower spikes daily, humidity stays around 60% around the phals (digital hygrometer). Any other tips would be fabulous! Thanks!

Zoi2 · #2 03-31-2009, 08:59 PM

Hello phalgal and welcome to the OB! Do you have the names of your phals?
Joann

phalgal · #3 03-31-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Hello phalgal and welcome to the OB! Do you have the names of your phals?
Joann

I don't! :-( I just know they are phals. I did manage to get a cell phone camera pick of one for my profile pic

SP2340 · #4 03-31-2009, 09:46 PM

Hi, welcome. Fertilizer sounds fine, just follow the directions on it. I personally don't mist because of increased risk of disease and orchids don't absorb much through their leaves anyways. Phals like to stay moist since they don't have any pseudobulbs so just water just before the media dries out.

RosieC · #5 04-02-2009, 05:51 PM

Hi Phalgal and welcome to OB.

Phals are great arn't they. They were the first orchids I fell in love with as well.

I agree with SP2340 about misting. I don't mist the leaves as it does not seem to be needed that much and can lead to crown rot if water sits in the crown for too long.

You should water a Phal when it's roots turn silvery. If they are green then leave it a bit longer. I favor clear pots so that I can see the roots right down to the bottom.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the Orchid Board, it's a great place to learn.