Salutations from Lady Rachel - Orchid Board

ladyrachel · #1 09-14-2007, 10:44 PM

I've been in love with orchids for years, but haven't had the chance to grow my own until my sweet husband bought me a beautfiul phalaenopsis for my birthday last March. It finally stopped blooming at the end of August, and now I'm just doing everything I can to be sure I can keep it alive. I have lots of experience with roses, but I'm a newbie with orchids. I've read as much as I could find, but I still have questions sometimes, so a place where I can ask them will be great!

Dorothy · #2 09-14-2007, 10:55 PM

WELCOME!

Glad you can join us at OB

There is plenty to read here .. besides the care sheets you can also use the search option for past threads.
Any specific questions, just ask

We love

s and would love to see your phal

Tindomul · #3 09-15-2007, 02:06 AM

Welcome to the Orchid Board. Glad you recieved this orchid. Phalaenopsis orchids are to blame for the majority of new Orchid lovers.

cb977 · #4 09-15-2007, 09:40 AM

Hi Rachel and welcome to Orchidboard

It takes just one 'chid for the obsession to take hold!
The insanity follows quickly

There are two different trains of thought on caring for a phal once it's finished blooming:

some folks cut the spike and allow the plant to put all it's energy into becoming a larger, stronger plant...

...while others, leave the spike in hopes of it "branching" out and giving another bloom spike.

If the spike turns brown, it's a sure sign to cut it down.

I personally remove all spikes once blooming is complete but that's not necessarily "the rule".

It's important to read all you can and then use that information adjusted to your own growing conditions.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask

Do you have pictures of your baby when it was in bloom? We'd love to see it

Lagoon · #5 09-15-2007, 11:03 PM

Hi & welcome to the forum Rachel.
Make yourself at home and enjoy the OB!

ladyrachel · #6 09-27-2007, 12:09 PM

Here's my Oraelia (do you name your orchids, too?):

Sadly, we never got to enjoy her in a nicer setting as we lived in a small apartment with toddlers, so we had to stash her in my mom's basement. Now that she's done blooming, I've actually pulled her out of the big arrangement (wasn't it beautiful??) and she's on her own in a little pot. Seems to be doing okay, but no new growth. I'm hoping for some new leaves, as the oldest one is starting to turn yellow. That's okay, right?

Tindomul · #7 09-27-2007, 02:16 PM

She should be fine. Orchids often loose the leaves at the base and replace them with new ones at the top. If you notice any yellowing on other leaves, then that is a possible warning signal.

shakkai · #8 09-27-2007, 02:37 PM

Very pretty arrangement, Rachel! Welcome to Orchid Board. You have certainly come to the right place to get answer for any questions you might have.

You've got a very pretty girl there with your Oraelia... she should reward you with flowers year after year. I can't tell, but was she growing in her own little pot sunk into that arrangement? If so, you might want to take the opportunity (as soon as you see green root tips growing) to repot her while she is out of bloom.

ladyrachel · #9 09-28-2007, 02:44 PM

I wondered about the repotting business, and root growth. The orchid was in it's own pot, and I did take it out of the arrangement and put it in it's own smaller pot. The potting medium seems pretty fresh, so I thought I would just skip replacing it this year. I did take all the medium out and soak it in a Physan 20 solution and then just repotted it with the same bark. The roots had died back a lot, so I trimmed them a little, but I'm not sure what I should do to stimulate more growth. Otherwise the plant seems healthy. It is only the bottom leaf turning yellow, but no signs of a new one growing. I'll be down to only 2 leaves when the yellowing one dies. Have I done anything horrendous, or is there anything more you can recommend?