Phal Yellow Leaves hopefully solved

[Celtic100]

1. Wow - that's good to know. Shouldn't give up on it if it takes up to a year. I shan't.
2. Good.
3. In a bright window but backed up from the light source (shelf in cabinet - sort of hard to explain but I think o.k.) so sort of a bright shade situation.
4. Humidity dry in the winter - wood burning stove keeps it dry. Should I do a pebble dish with water? Also, in the summer, outside in the shade? Plenty of humidity in Massachusetts in the summer.
Lastly, should I let it really dry out before watering again? The watering thing is really tough for orchids, no matter what people say about their ease of cultivation - or is that the sellers that say that??? At any rate, appreciate your thoughts. Thanks again.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Celtic100

4. Humidity dry in the winter - wood burning stove keeps it dry. Should I do a pebble dish with water?

I recommend a cool mist humidifier. I think it's more effective than the pebble dish.

Originally Posted by Celtic100

Also, in the summer, outside in the shade?

It's fine if the temperatures are warm enough and don't drop below 60 F at night. Humidity is also another factor to take into consideration.

Originally Posted by Celtic100

Plenty of humidity in Massachusetts in the summer.

I suggest getting a humidity meter, it lets you know what you're dealing with.

Originally Posted by Celtic100

Lastly, should I let it really dry out before watering again?

And your answer is...

Originally Posted by Zoi2

I have not found any phals that like to dry out between watering. They usually like to stay a bit moist. When the roots turn silvery white its time to water.

Joann

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Celtic100

The watering thing is really tough for orchids, no matter what people say about their ease of cultivation - or is that the sellers that say that??? At any rate, appreciate your thoughts.

The answer to this question really depends on what kind of orchid you're talking about, how they're being cultivated, and the environment they're being cultivated in. Everything about this question wreaks of context. Some of the contextual factors or issues may seem like minutia but it pays off to pay attention to that minutia sometimes.

This also depends on your skill and experience as a grower.

Of course, if you understand what the orchid's natural environment is like (where it grows in the wild), it shouldn't be too big of an issue. There might still be a little experimentation, but it won't be a complete mystery either.

As for Phalaenopsis, the evergreen ones (if you're reading between the lines, you read correctly, there are deciduous Phalaenopsis) are found growing on trees with little to no moss, positioned horizontally or pendulously (not vertically), in low to mid-land tropical Asian swamp forests, or near rivers or streams.

Check out the following link and you'll see what I mean.

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

Originally Posted by Celtic100

Thanks again.

You're welcome.