Hello Everybody! - Orchid Board

TheJadeOrchid · #1 03-20-2012, 11:01 PM

I am new to the forum. I was looking up info for my Phal, like bark/ground mix, and care tips.

Me and my mother have always loved Orchids, every time we would go in to a store. We always said to each other "Oh! I like this one!" or "Oh! Can we get one?" But we would never get one. haha

Well, I finally got one a couple of weeks ago. It was thrown in a bargain big with super DARK green leaves, a wilted flower, and bone dry. It had white flowers, but those have dropped away. And now I have hit a bump in the rode. I am not sure what to do at this point.

I know I need to change my medium, but I am not sure what to?

I also read that the spike needs to be trimmed. Not real sure where to go with it, though.

The leaves have turned a lighter green color. One of the leaves is split and brown on the inside of the slits. And it looks like some one cut a leaf back and it has brown edges.

Thank you to anyone, who helps. I will try to get pictures up ASAP!

RosieC · #2 03-21-2012, 02:03 PM

Welcome to Orchid Board Cassandra

It doesn't sound good if the leaves are brown inside. It sounds like it could be rotting, although if it split a while ago it could just be the dried up edge you are seeing.

Are you able to post pictures (see the link in my signature for help on that).

The choice of medium is a difficult one as it has a lot to do with personal preference and your environment. Personally I favour bark.

As for the spike, cut it down right near the base of the plant. As close as you can without damaging the base of the leaves.

Also take a look here. There is a lot of good information about caring for Phals in this thread.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

TheJadeOrchid · #3 03-21-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Welcome to Orchid Board Cassandra

It doesn't sound good if the leaves are brown inside. It sounds like it could be rotting, although if it split a while ago it could just be the dried up edge you are seeing.

Are you able to post pictures (see the link in my signature for help on that).

The choice of medium is a difficult one as it has a lot to do with personal preference and your environment. Personally I favour bark.

As for the spike, cut it down right near the base of the plant. As close as you can without damaging the base of the leaves.

Also take a look here. There is a lot of good information about caring for Phals in this thread.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

Oh no it isn't rotting. It looks like someone split the leaf down the middle and the leaf sealed if back up and turned brown. Thank you for the link. I will try to get pictures up.

RosieC · #4 03-21-2012, 02:29 PM

OK, yes if it's just where it's sealed it's self up that should be fine. The only thing I would do there is perhaps dab a bit of cinnamon (the spice) along the cut in case any part of it is still open. That can stop infection getting in. (Just note that cinnamon is not good on the roots, but we use it a lot on the leaves/stems).

TheJadeOrchid · #5 03-21-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

OK, yes if it's just where it's sealed it's self up that should be fine. The only thing I would do there is perhaps dab a bit of cinnamon (the spice) along the cut in case any part of it is still open. That can stop infection getting in. (Just note that cinnamon is not good on the roots, but we use it a lot on the leaves/stems).

Okay thank you!

I got a bag of Fir/Pine Bark mix that has some lava rocks and charcoal. It looks good to me. So I have it in soaking.

Also, I just found out my sister got an Orchid from the same place. It looks worse than mine and only has one leaf. I gave her some of my Bark mix. And she has been getting tips from me.

EDIT! HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF MY ORCHID!! Sorry for the bad quality.

Under the torn leaf.

Top of the torn leaf.

The medium and the cut off leaf.

All the leaves together.

The whole thing!

The whole thing, again!

Where the flowers were.

Close up of the cut leaf.

WhiteRabbit · #6 03-21-2012, 11:31 PM

Glad you found us!
Rosie has given you excellent advice, so I won't add anything (I try to avoid giving Phal advice for the most part anyway - not my best growers!) - but I did wish to welcome you!

TheJadeOrchid · #7 03-22-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Glad you found us!
Rosie has given you excellent advice, so I won't add anything (I try to avoid giving Phal advice for the most part anyway - not my best growers!) - but I did wish to welcome you!

Thank you for the welcome. You sound like me with Goldfish.

RosieC · #8 03-26-2012, 05:42 AM

Hi Cassandra,

Sorry I've not been back on-line for a few days. I would cut that spike down near the medium. Dab a little cinnamon spice on the cut but not on the roots (I would dip a damp fingertip in cinnamon and dab it on the cut end of the spike, or use a q-tip or something).

TheJadeOrchid · #9 03-31-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Hi Cassandra,

Sorry I've not been back on-line for a few days. I would cut that spike down near the medium. Dab a little cinnamon spice on the cut but not on the roots (I would dip a damp fingertip in cinnamon and dab it on the cut end of the spike, or use a q-tip or something).

Thank you. It's okay. My mother and I forgot to pay the internet bill a couple of days ago. So I wasn't online for a while myself. And strangely that is exactly what I done.