New from tx! Help!!

[orchidlover442218]

Hello all! My name is Amy, im almost 30 years old and need some help with my "just add ice orchid" my husband bought me to try and get out of the dog house. lol Ive attempted growing orchids twice before but both of them died. I never did too much research on them until now. This one seems to be a phalaenopsis orchid. Since reading some of these posts Ive learned quite a few things. Ive learned that the ice cube trick is not a good one! So next time i water it i will use room temperature water and let it all drain out. I will do this once a week...right? When i tried previous ones i remember the leaves turning yellow/brown and falling off the plant. Was i not watering it enough? Too much sunlight? Right now i have it placed on my kitchen table next to a window with blinds closed. This is the same place i put my others but i would open the blinds at times for it to get more sun (which i know now is not good) this time i will leave blinds closed. There is also a lamp fixture hanging from the ceiling above the table that stays on when we are home. Does that effect the orchid? I have read on one website thats its good to mist the orchid but to stay away from the foliage. Another website says to keep water off the leaves. Which is best?? Misting or no misting? Is there anything i should do to it right off hand? I just got it yesterday and watered it with the ice cubes before i knew better. Ive read on another site that they "pack" the moss in to retain extra moisture during shipping and to loosen it up when i get it home. Is this true? I don't want to do anything to it if its gonna mess it up. Sorry for all the questions!! But this orchid is gorgeous and im determined not to let it die!! Lol thanks in advance! Here is a picture of the orchid and where its placed. Hope the pic works

---------- Post added at 11:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:53 AM ----------

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[orchidlover442218]

[orchidlover442218]

Just looked and the metal pot that its in does not have drain holes so i will have to buy a new pot. Its also planted in bark not moss.

[cbuchman]

Welcoem to the OB!

Potted in bark is a good thing. They key is to learn when it needs water. One way is to use a wooden skewer or pencil and poke it into the middle of the pot. If it is dry then water. I also suggest that you move it to a clear pot so you can visually inspect the roots. Root health means plant health!

It medium must be able to drain, so you've already figured out that the no-drain holes pot won't do. Look to see if there is a plastic pot inside that you can lift out. You often see this. You can life out the inner pot, water it and let it drain before putting it back.

For light: Use your hand and see how distinct a show is made when light comes in through the window. For Phaleanopsis, which is what you have, the shadow should be barely distinguishable.

Good luck! It's a beauty.

[orchidlover442218]

Thank you so much carrie! I looked and it does not have another pot on the inside of it so i will go to lowes and see if i can find a clear one like you suggested! Will i damage any of the roots if i stick a pencil in the middle of it?

[cbuchman]

Stick the pencil in carefully . You cal also learn the weight of the pot when it it is wet and when it is dry (which is what I do). This is helpful when you have lot of plants.

[bellini girl]

First off, to OB. Hope hubby is out of the dog house now Nice touch buying the orchid. Added to what the others suggested, there's an awesome thread called "the phal abuse ends here" Read it, it has some valuable information on it. Good luck

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

If it's potted directly in a pot with no holes then it's a good idea to get it in one with holes. Sometimes there is an inner pot with holes, in which case you can make sure it drains then put it back in the outer pot.

[dounoharm]

he must have really been in the dog house cause that Is a mighty fine looking phal, lol!!! the above advise is good, so carry on, and welcome to the board!

[orchidlover442218]

Thank yall! And yes this big bad orchid got him out lol been reading "the phal abuse ends here" which helps alot!