A new forum goer has appeared!

[moongirlz]

So, it's been a while since I've communicated with complete strangers over the internet. Thus, this is all a bit of a new experience.

Im what I like to call an orchid newbie. Just got into the hobby this past summer without knowing anything to begin with. Orchids first caught my eye when my grandmother got one a few years ago.
And then I got one when I found miniature phalaenopsis orchids at a local greenhouse. I currently have 4 miniature phals, 2 dendrobium orchids, and one large phal, and still no real idea how to care for them.

Ive killed off two large phals previously, and this is the reason I am here now.
My miniature phalaenopsis have been doing surprisngly well(Ive had these a few months) and the dendrobiums havent had any troubles yet(I got these nearly two weeks ago).

My current issue, and the reason Ive gotten over some anxiety to join this forum, is my large phal, which Ive had for nearly 2 weeks as well. It was an unexpected gift.
I went to water it this morning, only to find that there was still water in the pot(after a week), and mold growing on the bark and some of the roots. Now, this orchid is in full bloom, with two stems. I want to save the plant, so if i lose the flowers, at least I'll have the plant.
I live in the Chicago area, if that'll help get any sort of idea about the environment. If anyone has any thoughts on how to save this phal, any answers here would be greatly appreciated!!

My current plans are to go to the local greenhouse and to ask around there, and perhaps get a new medium and repot. Any insight on potting medium for a Phalaenopsis would be helpful as well.



Wow what a long winded first post! I hope that doesn't throw anyone off. I look forward to learning from everyone here!!

[cbuchman]

Welcome! You're in the right place. The first thing that struck me when reading your introduction, is that you talk about standing water. There should never be any standing water. if your Phal is in a pot without holes, remove it from that pot; I suspect that it is in a plastic pot that is inside a cachepot (decorative pot). When you water, you want to remove the decorative pot and let all the water run out.

Water when the medium is almost dry in the middle of the pot. How long this takes will depend on what the Phal is potted in. if you're not sure, use a bamboo skewer (like those used for BBQ) and poke it into the middle of the pot. If it comes out wet, don't water. When in doubt,w ait another day to water.

If your phal is in a clear plastic pot, check on the health of the roots, they should be green when wet and silver/what when dry. If brown and mushy then the rot has rotted.

Most orchids, including Phals, are epiphytes which means that they grown on other plants (usually) without taking nourishment from their "host". This also means that the roots want lots of air so that they can dry between watering.

There is a very good thread on the OB, The Phal Abuse Stops here, which you shoudl search for. It has loads of great information.

[BettyE]

Welcome, to Orchid Talk. I'm sure that there are many people here that can help you with your root/fungus problem. I only have two phals. and they are both mounted. I look forward to seeing pictures of your orchids...BettyE

[WhiteRabbit]

[kevin1217]

Welcome! Im also in the chicago area!

[moongirlz]

Originally Posted by cbuchman

Welcome! You're in the right place. The first thing that struck me when reading your introduction, is that you talk about standing water. There should never be any standing water. if your Phal is in a pot without holes, remove it from that pot; I suspect that it is in a plastic pot that is inside a cachepot (decorative pot). When you water, you want to remove the decorative pot and let all the water run out.

Water when the medium is almost dry in the middle of the pot. How long this takes will depend on what the Phal is potted in. if you're not sure, use a bamboo skewer (like those used for BBQ) and poke it into the middle of the pot. If it comes out wet, don't water. When in doubt,w ait another day to water.

Thanks for the info! I will keep this in mind.
I understand this as being a way to prevent root rot. What can you do for the plant once you notice mold or other harmful growth on the plant roots and/ or the medium?
(this probably isnt the best place to ask this question, but it has been set it motion, so might as well finish what I started )

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

I know this is an old-ish thread, did you get help on another one?

Personally if this were a plant I knew to otherwise have healthy roots I would not worry about a week in water and would just let it dry for a couple of weeks until I was sure it was no longer wet in the centre before watering again... you wouldn't believe the number of times I've stood one for 10min only to come back a week later and find it in water. It's not good, but healthy phals tend to survive it occasionally.

However a new plant that you are not sure how it's been treated in the past is another matter. With that I would get new medium and repot then water it as Carrie suggested above.

If you haven't already then take a look a "The Phal Abuse Ends Here" thread in the beginner section, it's long but has great phal growing advise.

[moongirlz]

Hi there!

I did get some other similar advice on another thread, and I did go through "The Phal abuse ends here". I did end up repotting my Phal and its been doing well so far. I learned a lot and look forward to learning more.

Thanks
-Elena

[Stray59]

Welcome to the board! You will have lots of people chiming in on the Phalae issue. I agree, if you have mold, you have too much remaining moisture after watering. An increase in air circulation, (not a draft), will benefit also. If it is in bloom, you only want to repot it if you have too. I would check root system, if not rotted, then leave it alone, allow for more drainage between waterings, increase the air flow and water more judiciously until the blooms stop. Then repot it in a medium with more drainage.
Well that's my worth!
Best of luck - you have found a great board and will have more info than you can use.
Steve4

[Freckles.Au]

Hi, i have a few i-lan green pixies - i quite like the miniatures, i have them around my computer screen ; )

looking forward to seeing pictures of your plants

mark