Hey from South Carolina - Orchid Board

Melody · #1 02-14-2010, 02:32 AM

Hey Everyone!

I am a new orchid owner. Just got two Phal NOIDS a few days ago. I am super exited, and a bit nervous. And I guess my excitement is contagious because I inspired my mother to get one too...she said she would rely on me to mentor her...I laughed because I don't know much.
Here are some pics:

The striped one came with a badly broken leaf...hope that won't be problem. It also has 2 bloom stalks.
Also, I found a mealybug on the underside of a leaf on the white one last night. I killed/removed the bug and checked it and the others, but didn't find any evidence of another bug. So maybe it was a fluke

my mothers:

cabnc · #2 02-14-2010, 12:48 PM

Melody,
Usually these phals are packed tightly in sphag in a clear plastic pot inside the clay pot. Be sure both the plastic and clay pots have drainage holes. Slip of the clay pot and look at the visible roots. Hopefully you will see healthy white roots with green tips.
First thing to be careful of is not to over water them. To determine when to water, slip the plastic pot out of the clay pot and look to see if there is moisture present. If so, put it back for another day. If it appears dry, water the pot completely. Set it in a sink an pour a gal. of water into the pot allowing the exess to drain. ( Here in coastal NC, I have a well and water softener. Do not use water softener water. I use rainwater.) Do not let any water get into the crown (top) of the phal. If it does, use a paper towel and dab it dry.
Second, fertilize with a balanced plant fertilizer (10-10-10 or 15-15-15) at half strength once a week (weakly - weekly). Many people skip the fertilizer on the 4th week of the month when they water in order to flush any accumulating fertilizer salts away.
Light requirements are bright indirect light. No direct light as the leaves will sunburn.
After the flowers fade I would consider repotting.

Charlie

Matilda · #3 02-14-2010, 05:57 PM

Beautiful!

dounoharm · #4 02-14-2010, 06:58 PM

keep an eye out for mealybugs....when you find one it is usually an indication there are more around....i would treat em with a good insecticide soon as i could....soapy water at least....

Zoi2 · #5 02-14-2010, 09:00 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB. Your phals are beautiful.
Joann

neb · #6 02-14-2010, 09:05 PM

and

to the board it is good to see someone else in SC here

Melody · #7 02-15-2010, 12:32 AM

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and advise, especially Charlie.

I did take them out of the clay pots. Unfortunately, they weren't inside clear plastic pots. They were in opaque brown plastic, so I can't see the roots. I saw that someone mentioned using a wooden skewer to check if they are wet...I'll try that. I'll probably attempt to re-pot them when they are done blooming. They have drainage wholes on the very bottom of the pots, but it's a bit tempting to try to cut some slits on the side to give them more air and help them dry out more...but I am too fearful of damaging a root in the process.
I also made some humidity trays to put them on, since it's a bit dry here during the winter.

I was wondering though, how long would it take to notice a difference in the leaves if they are getting too much or too little light. I have one by a window with a sheer curtain (but it's been rather overcast lately), and the other under a grow light that I am hoping isn't too strong (it shares the light with a very happy African violet).

PS. Just wanted to mention that this forum is what helped give me the confidence to attempt this endeavor. So I'm glad to be here and to be an orchid owner.

It's something I've always wanted to do. CHEERS!