Hello From SE Michigan
 

Hi All,
I'm Rob and I have been trying to raise orchids for two years. I am a sucker for the walmart phals which gets me into trouble every time. I appreciate great sites like this to hopefully improve my success rate. If you have any tips for navigating the site feel free to let me know. Thanks:)

-Rob
Howell, Michigan

Also.... if any of you know better vendors than walmart in michigan please share

Hi Rob! :waving

I'm sure many of us started with box store orchids, so no shame in that. And I am sure with the help of all the awesome OB members your success rate will definitely improve! There's lots of different types of orchids too, so even if you struggle with Phals (I know I have for a few years - I think I may have finally got it!) there may be other types that are less of a struggle for you ;)

Many box store orchids - especially Phalaenopsis - are potted in a large amount of very packed sphagnum moss, which retains a TON of moisture. Most people, being unaware of this, over-water them, leading to root rot very quickly. This can be prevented by:
- a bamboo skewer in the potting media, which is helpful to determine when to water - pull it out, touch to your cheek - don't water until the skewer just barely feels damp - a "cool' sensation, more than damp
or
remove some of the moss from the pot and "fluff" the remaining moss with skewer, chopstick or something similar - still is helpful to use a moss in the media to determine when to water
or
repot into media that drains better, allows more air to roots, and retains less moisture, like an orchid mix made with medium fir bark chips. (I'd still use the skewer in the media - I have them in all my orchid pots)
- repotting while the plant is in bloom MAY cause it to drop blooms - but in my experience, most Phals don't, or maybe drop a couple older blooms.

My orchid growing has improved sooooo much since I found Orchid Board! Lots of helpful people here!

Welcome to the Orchid Board. You have come to the right place with over 14,000 members willng to help. I guess rule #1 is buy and take it right home and repot. Many are buying from e-bay and on-line growers. Enjoy!

Thank you both for the warm reception. I definitely will be hanging out in the beginner section for a while. Both of you brought up re-potting and that is where I have killed most of my plants (either the roots where trimmed too short or the media was bad, like not firm enough). So in the near future, hopefully I can figure out what I did wrong. Thanks again.

Rob,

Come down to Stockbridge and I'll hook you up with some nice plants... I have to move it all in a month or two and I'd rather sell things cheap.

Porters Orchids in Grand Ledge is having an open house on Aug 21, that might also be fun.

Not too many other vendors left in Michigan. Bill Porter, me, Taylor Orchids in Monroe... All I can think of that have plants that beginners might want.

Rob

That is awesome! I'll send you a PM this week to work out a time when I can make it down there. Thank you.

I've been to Taylor, he had a paph that I am in love with (it wasn't for sale). I'll have to check out porters:D

Welcome to Orchid Board :welcome:

Resisting orchids in box stores has proven futile. I only buy ones I absolutely adore anymore, but even though they're generally NOIDs, I still love them. Of course, you're better off buying quality orchids at the local shows. There was one this past weekend, and there are two more coming up in the area. One is at the end of the month, and the other is mid-April. I buy the majority of my orchids at shows. I like getting to hand pick them, and I like chatting up the growers when they're not too busy. Show season is the best part of early spring, and I look forward to it every year! Good luck with your orchids!