Trying to learn about orchids so they don't keep dying!

[Ashley9586]

Hey everyone! I'm definitely new to orchids, but it's something that I've become very interested in. I think they are beautiful, and I would love to keep my current one alive. I feel like they are kind of hard to take care of, but I'm looking at it as a challenge. I bought a mini one at the store about a year ago, but it died (or, rather, I gave up on it and just threw it away). Now, I have a big one that my fiance bought me from the store, and it's doing much better than the other one. I'm pretty sure it's a Phalaenopsis orchid (from what I've read on a couple of forums). It is a "just add ice" orchid, but I've decided that I don't like that method because I don't think it was getting enough water. I just bought some orchid fertilizer from the store and soaked the roots in the solution. I'm going to water it once a week that way from now on, and let it dry out in between waterings. I'm not sure if it's getting enough light or not, though. I have it in an east facing window, but sometimes I forget to open the blinds. The leaves are not dark or light, they are just green, so I'm hoping it's okay. The last bloom is getting ready to fall off (I got it for Valentine's Day, so it's been blooming for about 4 months), so I'm trying to figure out whether I should cut it somewhere, or what to do from there. Any advice on watering or pruning would be helpful!

[grasshopper]

Welcome to OB!

What is your orchid potted in? Bark? Moss? If it's potted in bark, watering once a week is probably ok. If it's in moss, once a week may be too frequent. You don't want to keep the roots constantly wet or they will rot, and moss dries out much slower than bark.

An east window should be a great spot for your orchid. Be sure to open the blinds but watch leaves for sunburn. Filtered sun or bright, indirect light is best. If the leaves start to take on a reddish/purplish hue, then it's maxing out on sunshine. I tend to push the light instensity limits with my orchids, but I always watch the leaves to make sure they're not getting burned.

I typically cut the bloom spike all the way down to the crown (to within 1/2" or so), but others do not. Maybe you'll get some more advice on this part of your inquiry.

Honestly, orchids really aren't that hard to care for once you know what conditions they like. The OB is a great place to read through old posts and learn what has worked (and what has not) for others. Have fun!

[Call_Me_Bob]

Some time phals will grow new branches of of spike from the nodes along the spike. So unless you are going to repot, don't cut the spike all the way off. Cut the spikejust below where the lowest flower dropped off. Pics would definately help

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

Even if your are going to repot it the only time I would suggest cutting of the spike is if you do not have a good root system to support the plant. If it has a good root system there is no reason why you can not leave the spike on and let it do its thing.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I would suggest you take the plant out of the pot it's in and just check the roots. If they are good, you can put it back in the pot untill you're ready to repot it. If they're bad, now is the time to repot.
Joann

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I would suggest you take the plant out of the pot it's in and just check the roots. If they are good, you can put it back in the pot untill you're ready to repot it. If they're bad, now is the time to repot.
Joann

agreed!

[RosieC]

Hi and welcome to Orchid Board

It sounds like you are doing the right things so far.

I keep most of my Phals in east facing windows and as long as you remember to open the blinds that would probably be about right. I do forget mine some mornings but only ocasionally, my orchids have actually made me be more careful about always doing that.

Your watering methods sounds good. One thing to remember is that once a month you should just use plain water and no fertiliser as that can rince out any build up of fertiliser salts which could be bad for it.

I favour potting in bark in clear pots so that I can see the roots as they dry. When they turn silvery right down in the bottom I water again. I water arround once a week, but it's best not to have a fixed schedule, but check how the roots are looking and only water if it needs it.

Originally Posted by help

Some time phals will grow new branches of of spike from the nodes along the spike. So unless you are going to repot, don't cut the spike all the way off. Cut the spikejust below where the lowest flower dropped off. Pics would definately help

This is popular advice, but some people believe it can actually weaken the plant. Cutting the spike in this way can force a side spike, even if the plant is not really strong enough. It them put energy in to the new spike and gets weaker.

Take a look at the advice from our OB member Ray on his website. Spike Cutting

I prefer to either cut the spike all the way, or leave it and only cut off the part that has already dried and turned brown.

[Ashley9586]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I took some pics today in case anyone has any tips! Before I checked the forum, I cut one side about 1" above the top node in hopes to help it re-bloom. Bear in mind that I just watered it yesterday, so it may look a little moist, but I know to let it dry out and to not get it too wet. I've read a couple of times to water it when the roots look silver, is this true? Yesterday was the first time I have fertilized it since I got it in February. I'm thinking it needs to be re-potted. Let me know. I also put some cinnamon on the part where I cut it because I heard you were supposed to do that do prevent infection (makes sense, kinda like a band-aid I suppose). I also took a picture of the fertilizer I used. I put 1/4 tsp in 4 cups of water and then let it soak for about 2 minutes and then drained the water out... it called for 1 tsp per gallon, so I'm pretty sure that's the right conversion! Anyways, enjoy the pics and I'm always open for more tips! I am determined not to let this die! Oh! One more thing... can anyone tell me what type of Phal this is flower/color wise? Thanks!

[Eyebabe]

When I first began looking into how to keep my orchids alive and well and possibly getting them to bloom again...I invested in the following:
Orchids for Dummies (I know, it's a "Dummie" book but it is very good)
Miracle Gro Complete Guide to Orchids

Both of these books give the basics.

After some time when you start to find a genus you are interested in, then it is worth looking into some other books.

I recently bought the six volume Cattleyas and Their Relatives which was no small task since the first volumes are out of print. I can look up the species and get a decent amount of information regarding their cultivation. Very much happy with those

My point being, it's nice to have a book to grab. But they can run some $, so just get those two basic ones until you know your preferences further.

[Call_Me_Bob]

the roots look healthy, the medium looks iffy to me, maybe someone will chime in