hi from california!

[lily]

hi there everybody! i garden and care for a lot of houseplants, but am new to orchid care... i have 2 phalaenopsis orchids given as gifts this year - one for valentine's day and one for mother's day (i'm expecting my first baby, my due date is actually next friday)!

i also inherited one mystery orchid from my mother a few months ago when she moved out of state - it's a large plant, but hasn't bloomed in a while and i have no idea what kind of orchid it is or how to care for it - and it seems to be having some problems.

anyhoo, i'm here to learn how to take better care of my plants and hopefully have some questions answered by some experts!

thanks for reading!

[RosieC]

Hi Lily and welcome to Orchid Board.

In my view the key to looking after Phals is to get the watering sussed. First make sure the pot has holes in the bottom. Second, if you can, pot them in clear pots, you can then look at the root colour and if they are green down to the bottom then don't water yet, if they have gone silvery then it is time to water. If you can't get a clear pot then use a wooden skewer pushed in to the medium. Pull it out and if it is damp then don't water yet.

Basically you need to water thoroughly, then let it drain (hence the holes in the bottom), then wait until it is completely dry before watering again.

People here may be able to work out the type of your third orchid if you post a picture. It's not always possible but may be worth a try and you may be able to get care advise if you do that.

Anyway, welcome again and best wishes for your pending arrival as well

[Psyguy10]

Welcome to the forum Lily!

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by lily

hi there everybody! i garden and care for a lot of houseplants, but am new to orchid care... i have 2 phalaenopsis orchids given as gifts this year - one for valentine's day and one for mother's day (i'm expecting my first baby, my due date is actually next friday)!

i also inherited one mystery orchid from my mother a few months ago when she moved out of state - it's a large plant, but hasn't bloomed in a while and i have no idea what kind of orchid it is or how to care for it - and it seems to be having some problems.

anyhoo, i'm here to learn how to take better care of my plants and hopefully have some questions answered by some experts!

thanks for reading!

Hi, Lily!! Welcome!! And congratulations on your impending birth!! I'm new here too, and wow, I've learned so much just in the short time I've been here. . . don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone is wonderful to answer them!

Can you post a pic of the orchid you have in question? That would help a lot in trying to figure out what can be done to bring it back to health.

[Zoi2]

Welcome to the Orchid Board Lily.
Joann

[Suresh Kalyanpur]

Welcome to the forum Lily.
You will learn a lot here.
Have a safe delivery.

[dgenovese1]

Hi Lily....

Welcome to the OB! As you've already discovered, it's a great place to hang out and learn about orchids.

I'm looking forward to a post of your mystery chid so we can help identify it.

Hope you have an uneventful delivery...other than simply having the baby that is.

[mikeurquia]

well california congradulations with your new baby god bless your baby and the way you received your orchids you're hooked for the rest of your life good luck GHOST HUNTER.......