Need Advice

[Dmyers1861]

I'm very new to orchids but am really enjoying my new hobby. I bought a couple Phalaenopsis. One seems to be doing very well and the other is just ok. Her petals are white but are becoming very veiny and almost translucent in color. This is only really occurring on one of the blooms but I see signs on others. Any advice? I don't think I am over watering them - the leaves are lightish green. I feel like they are getting adequate sunlight. My windows have the built in shade screens. Where am I going wrong. I am purchasing a humidifier this weekend because my house is very dry and full of static - maybe that is the problem. Please keep in mind that I am very new to this hobby and this is normal. Please advise and thank you in advance!

David

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Maybe it's just done flowering.

Although it won't hurt to pump up the humidity.

What's the potting medium?

[Bolero]

Yep when they start to become translucent that means they are losing substance and probably the flowering season is coming to an end. How long has it been out? At some point you will need to cut the spike and wait for it to hopefully flower again next year.

Do you have a photo?

[Dmyers1861]

The medium is moss. I will take a picture tonight and post it tomorrow. I thought it might be finished flowering but wasn't sure. Although there is still one bud left that has yet to open.

When you say cut the spike - what or where do you mean? Once I have cut it - what do I do? Continue watering and give it sunlight everday? Further, should I think about changing the medium?

Thank you both for your time and thoughts on this!

David

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I recommend getting it out of the moss. Then check the roots.

A lot of people tend to have problems with using moss when growing Phalaenopsis.

It compacts over time very easily. It stays too wet for too long. The medium also can get too acidic. It's much too tricky to use.

For many, moss is a problematic medium for growing Phalaenopsis.

They normally grow on trees with very little to no moss at all in the wild.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=phalaenopsis+in+situ

[Bolero]

I don't know that moss would be the cause of the translucency in the flowers though. But certainly for a beginner, moss is a very difficult medium to use. I use a mix of orchid bark and perlite but other people use different things. If you have low humidity moss can also be a good thing but if you're just learning it might be better to start with bark or coconut.

Yes, you would cut the spike when it's finishing flowers, just down towards where it comes from the base (not the leaves) and then continue with light every day and watering to suit your conditions you grow in. Hopefully next season it will flower again. Be very careful not to water in the crown.

It may still have some to flower, some Phal's flower progressively and you can wait until the last flower has finished.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The moss and the blooms being the way they are now are unrelated topics. They're two separate issues.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

The moss and the blooms being the way they are now are unrelated topics. They're two separate issues.

Absolutely!