Grocery store Orchid in pot w/o drainage

[Optimist]

Just to know, there are 3000 or so species of "Orchid." The orchid you have is a Phalenopsis. Phals are given the branding that they are somehow an easy or beginner orchid. I pretty much killed every one of them I had at the beginning, for the same reason as you say, because of overwatering. After a lot of reading, I realized that phals, and cattleyas and many other types of orchids are really a lot like cactus, so I went and bought an inexpensive epiphitic cactus. Reason? When the Cactus gets watered, the Phals get watered.
It really helps to understand that these are "desert" plants, in that they are growing on trees, and touched by mist or rain a bit every day. But otherwise, they are "dry." This may take a while to soak in. I know I was about ready to quit for at least 2 years until I truly understood the meaning of the word desert plant. So, what happens to a cactus if it is soaking in a bucket of water? It quickly rots and dies. What happens to an orchid (other than Phrags, and some Bulbos and other hydrophilliac orchids) well, it rots and dies. If the roots are in the water, they rot and die, if the leaves are, they rot and die.

Watering them every day is not a problem. The problem is draining the water away from the root, which is what does not happen in an enclosed environment. If you have the Phal mounted, on a stick with no moss around it, you could water all day every day. In their wild state many epiphitic orchids are rained on or misted on at least part of the year.

When your orchid is in a flower pot, the time that it takes to dry out is your "clock" for when you should water. This will depend on your ambient environment, so no one, unless it is someone on your own street, can really give perfect instructions for "when to water." The skewer (or chop-stick) method is used a lot.

I would say take the plastic off. Phals in super markets usually come from Taiwan or China, and they need that plastic wrap type cup on them because they are in a shipping container and will not be watered in a while. The plastic keeps the roots from drying out. Chunky bark is best for Phals. Other orchids use small bark or other types of potting medium.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Stelios369

Thank you all for your help! I apologize for making reference to the f-word. With all the madness in our country right now, it's funny to think that an abbreviated version of a bad word is worthy of a response. On rare occasions the word is appropriate, and I think the price of orchids fits the bill. Sorry again!
Does anyone suggest putting a little moss on top of the roots that are growing out of the pot? There are lots circling the pot several times.

I like putting phals in a large shallow pot/bowl with large bark, sieved to remove all small particles. That way you can't overwater them.

[jkofferdahl]

I use a method similar to Bil's, employing baskets and large chunk bark. I find that my plants Phals potted this way dry almost as quickly as those mounted, so overwatering isn't a concern (though underwatering is). Additionally, I'm potted seedlings in tiny baskets, using sphagnum instead of bark, and the drying time is about the same as well. I'd be willing to bet that more Phals have died from overwatering than from everything else combined.

[Stelios369]

One last thing. I rigged up a plastic container to serve as a pot for my orchid. The bottom has plenty of drainage holes. I filled it with special orchid potting soil which just looks like wood chips. The soil may hold a little bit of water, but very little. There's no way I can over-water this, the water runs right through it.
Are there any signs I should look out for if I'm over or under-watering it? Any other tips after looking at the new pot?

[Brauwin]

Nice job on the repot. So a good rule of thumb is if you roots are nice and green they are hydrated and don't need water. If you see them go grey or silver colored, it's time to water. I have several Phalenopsis like yours and have basically put it into the sink and poured water over the bark and let it run out. With your bark medium you will find you may have to water more often but hey it's better than over watering. Another key sign that your plant needs watering is the leaves. The leaves should be smooth and firm. If you noticed them looking floppy and wrinkled it may need to be watered again.

Good luck! I have had the opposite problem you have in that I live in the desert and I have killed many orchids because I was scared to overwater and they dried out and died!