Orchid newbie... celebrating success

[QHMaverick]

Hello all,
I am a new member to this forum. I am also (sort of) new to orchids. I have managed, sadly, on several occasions not to keep two orchids alive. In December of 2009 I saw a brand new shipment of Orchids being unpacked at WalMart... I was feeling adventurous... and they looked really healthy... so I went out on a limb and bought one.

Well, a year later... it is still with me, and it is getting ready to bloom a second time. Over the course of it's year living with me, my cat has attempted to kill it once (knocked it off my kitchen counter) which broke it's newest leaf near the base... but that remarkably has slowly been healing, and this happy little plant has grown a huge new leaf.

I didn't know to cut off flower spike after it bloomed. I'm still learning how to properly care for this Phal... but it seems to be thriving. I am posting a pic of it.

[Daethen]

Congrats! This is such a nice difference from most first posts that are more like Help me please!!!

[Anisa]

It looks very nice! Congrats on your success.
Sometimes buying neglected box store orchids will lead nowhere but to failure. No matter how much someone tries. In your case buying fresh orchid paid off! I think it is safe to cut off the old spike. And keep doing what you are doing

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board.

Congratulations on your success. I think buying one fresh into the store is always a good move with the big box stores and it's certainly worked for you. Goes to show there is nothing wrong with your care of them, your previous problems were probably due to plants that had already been mis-treated in the store.

Now you've had success it's time to try some more

[PinkCloud]

Welcome QHMaverick!
I can't believe your phal broke it's newest leaf near the base and still made it! You must have real green fingers.

[CTB]

Welcome to the Orchid Board! Glad to hear of your early success.

[OrchidObsessed]

Oooooh! Pretty! Post a pic when the flowers bloom. Congratulations.

[QHMaverick]

OK... my very first orchid is in rebloom for the first time. I have dubbed by happy little noid "Ice Wally" to pay tribute from where he came from... Wal-Mart and a company called "Just add ice Orchids"! Posting pics of first bloom opening soon.

[PinkCloud]

Its beautiful! And I love the name! haha

[RosieC]

Cool, the first rebloom is always a special one. Congratulations