Newbie but already in love :)

[judith_arquette]

Hi, I am very new to owning orchids. I've always admired their exquisite beauty but shied away from getting one because I was a bit intimidated by trying to care for them. Early last month my husband came home and surprised me with the most beautiful Magenta Phalaenopsis Orchid and I was hooked! He gifted me with a devastatingly beautiful white one a few weeks ago and today while we were browsing at the local garden center we found a dish with several flowers...originally priced at 129.00 but because they were in such sad shape I got it for 30.00. I'm hoping that with some TLC and new knowledge acquired here I will be able to nurse them back to health I look forward to learning so much here!

[NYCorchidman]

Welcome!

I'm glad you got a nice surprise.
Dark magenta phals are breathtaking!!! I love them.

By the way, it is best to start with a healthy plant.
Even if it is $30 ( I think that is still too much for a sad looking plant) sounds way too much depending on how sad it really is. lol

[Ferns Daddy]

Welcome to OB

[judith_arquette]

Thanks

There are actually 5 separate plants in the container, they all are budding and the 2 that are flowering are different colors so I'm thinking they may all be...
I see your point but I don't mind investing the 30 on them, even if they don't survive at least I can say I tried At best I will have lovely, healthy plants after nursing them back to health, at worst, they die but I gain a lot of knowledge and experience that I can apply to new plants <3

[RandomGemini]

What a great attitude! I have a phal that I rescued from a hardware store this summer, I learned a lot from rescuing it. It's going to take some time to recover from all that it's been through, but the learning experience has been worth it!

[judith_arquette]

These are the two different ones in bloom in the container. I'm wondering if they should all be in that one container (there are 5 separate plants in it) or if they should be in individual pots? Any advice, suggestions?

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

Thanks

There are actually 5 separate plants in the container, they all are budding and the 2 that are flowering are different colors so I'm thinking they may all be...
I see your point but I don't mind investing the 30 on them, even if they don't survive at least I can say I tried At best I will have lovely, healthy plants after nursing them back to health, at worst, they die but I gain a lot of knowledge and experience that I can apply to new plants <3

Well, 5 plants for $30 isn't bad at all given that they are not in terrible conditions. lol

Some are still in bloom, so that alone worth something at least for now!

Enjoy~

What are they planted in?? You can have a look in the pot. Or you can separate them carefully, then pot them up separately for the best and easy care.

Good luck!

Speaking of dark magenta phal, I want to go get one myself. lol

---------- Post added at 12:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:26 PM ----------

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

These are the two different ones in bloom in the container. I'm wondering if they should all be in that one container (there are 5 separate plants in it) or if they should be in individual pots? Any advice, suggestions?

I guess now I see what you meant by sad. flowers are mostly gone. but there are some buds left, so you will enjoy them for weeks.

I think more close-up pictures will help, but it appears to me that the one on the far left looks rather dehydrated, but it could just be the picture quality.
They all look fine to me actually.

You want to lift that decorative green moss and take a peek inside for the conditions of the roots. If plump, silver white or green, or even white, they are all good.

Are there drainage holes at the bottom of that dish?
This is important. If not, then you want to be VERY careful with watering.

You can grow them together as is, but in case you want to separate them much later, it can be a pain dealing with all the roots intertwined with one another.

[801229001]

Hi!

[WhiteRabbit]

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I think more close-up pictures will help, but it appears to me that the one on the far left looks rather dehydrated, but it could just be the picture quality.
They all look fine to me actually.

I did take some more pics but for some reason I'm having difficulty getting them to post...I'll keep trying, something about a security token being missing. It directs me to email an administrator but then tells me a link is missing???