18 orchids and I need help!

[Jubilee]

Hi,

Obviously, I'm new to the board. I've had several NoID Phals for a while now and suddenly I've managed to get 11 more orchids I know nothing about. I've been lurking about the boards and decided to register and see if I could sweet talk some information/advice out of everyone.

As to how I managed to have the extra orchids, I've got some very tolerant Phal plants and my SO decided that I should have more orchids since he likes them and apparently I grow plants well... heh... I'm not so certain he was right. And he took the shotgun approach to ordering them.

So... I have several of the new 11 that are doing ok and several I'm certain are putting out their last gasps of life right at this moment. I'm surprised the whole lot of them hasn't gathered up their roots and set off for greener pastures. I had started them all out in Miracle Grow orchid dirt, which I now know is a mistake. (Though my Phals do really well in it as far as I can tell)

The list:

E. tampensis
-this guy is one of the unhappy ones. He's got a purple tinge on the edges of his leaves and I don't think his roots are happy at all. And the pseudobulbs (at least I think that's what they are) are shrivelly.

Dendrobium chalmerii
-I've got this guy in the wrong dirt, I know now. He's in some of the Miracle Grow orchid dirt. He was also a freebie from the company he was ordered from. Apparently if you got 10 there was a sickly looking 11th thrown in free. He actually looks nice and glossy with a new leaf starting now. Though he will be repotted soon.

Ascf. Twinkle x Neof. falcata 'White Flamingo' AM/AOS
-This one came with buds and actually bloomed! Beautiful, little white flowers that lasted about two weeks and turned brown. I've since taken it out of the dirt and have it with a 'Special Orchid Mix' by Better-Gro. I think it's doing ok, no brown spots and it seems to be gripping the new media.

Inobulbon munificum
-This guy has the hairy pseudobulbs and they're definitely shrivelly. He's also made the transfer to the new media, but hasn't plumped back up at all. I don't see signs of wilting or browning.

Schom. grandiflora
-Another one still in the Miracle Grow, soon to be transferred, but I think it looks good for the most part.

Laelia Icarus 'Valley Isle'
-This one has very dark, dull leaves with a purple tinge on the edges. I have no idea if this is normal. Another that needs repotted...

Oeoniella polystachys
-This one also has glossy leaves with new growth, but it lost an root that was above the media level. (also still in the wrong dirt).

Bepi. Phoenix 'Kona'
-This guy seems unhappy. I need to find a source for potting accessories because he's way too loose in the pot with the new media. But he seems to have semi-decent roots and a couple that I see have the purple/green tips.

Phal. bellina
-I know this one is similar to the big box Phals (at least it has the same genus), but I don't know if it needs special treatment. I was reading the Phal abuse ends here thread and saw sometimes they need special considerations.

E. parviflora
-This one came with damaged leaves, but seems ok. He's got glossy pseudobulbs with new growth and green roots. He's still in the bad dirt and I'll get him transferred soon.

Prosthechea lancifolia
-This guy is actually blooming! He came with buds and seems to be doing ok. He's got new growth, but a set of the leaves have come out wrinkled (they started that soon after I received him). He's also the biggest of the bunch. The leaves have stopped wrinkling, but are still growing, so I'm taking it as a good sign.


If you're still with me, thank you. I've got a book, Understanding Orchids by William Cullina and I think I've learned something from it, but there's an awful lot of info to process and it doesn't list many of the orchids I have. Any help/advice/anything that can be offered, I will gladly take. I did know enough, at least, to keep the names of the plants with the right one, even if I did get the potting medium horribly wrong....

I've got pictures in the member gallery if anyone wants to take a look there, or I can post a link. I'm not sure what the etiquette is on that. Thanks again for any advice!