Hello from Illinois side of the St. Louis metro-east
 

Hello, I currently have 6 phalaenopsis from Walmart and the like. I've managed to keep my first alive 3 or 4 yrs...though I think it's 4. Nearly killing her once or twice just following the very generic orchid care links I found online. I don't think my oldest one will bloom this year. That's ok. This fall I had a month where none of my plants got enough care and they have all been set back.

Confession: I've never fertilized my orchids and it scares me. lol I'm terrified of burning them I guess and I have a Walmart purchased orchid food that is just sitting there. I thought that like my outdoor plants there is a good time to fertilize and a bad time and I was never certain.

I'm planning to get a couple phapiopedilums, Tainia speciosa, and possibly a miltoniopsis...and then I need to impatiently wait until I have those figured out before acquiring any more...painful.

I have plenty of other houseplants. I've purchased new orchid equipment/fertilizer and have more on my shopping list. Based on what I'm learning it may be pure dumb luck that I haven't killed my 6 phals. I'm learning lots already and now that I"m investing more than $10 a plant I'm getting scared.lol I'm sure many of you will be able to help me on this journey.

Don't be afraid to fertilize, just do it weekly, weakly. I use it quarter strength. Welcome to the OB, you'll get lots of expert opinions here.

Welcome to the board! Since you have mostly Phals so far, you may find this link helpful. It's long, so don't try to absorb all of it at once.

The Phal abuse ends here.

As you think about acquiring other orchids besides Phals, you may want to do a little research into their care and culture requirements, to be sure they have a good chance of thriving in your particular conditions.

Hello and welcome!

I have quite a few other houseplants, too. :)

I fed them today. I think I now know a lot more than I did a few weeks ago.

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

St Louis metro is likely too hot for Miltoniopsis in summer.