Beginner Growing 5 Phals, 2 Vandas, 2 Catts, 2 Dendrobs, 3 Oncidiums -$35 shop light

[Orchid Whisperer]

The images are fairly low-resolution, so I am generalizing somewhat, based on what I see in the larger plants.

Many of them look severely dehydrated. Watering with plain water is fine, but if you have good root growth, then you need to water more effectively. Each time you water, flush water thoroughly through the medium. Then, water again when the medium is nearly dry again. For very dehydrated plants, don't be afraid to soak the roots of the plants a good long while (up to an hour at a time is a good place to start).

If your relative humidity is real low (Minnesota, I'm guessing central heat?), Use a humidifier or some other means to increase humidity.

For the small bare root plants, they are unlikely to survive like that for long. If you want to grow bare root in a pot, try a terracotta pot, which will retain some moisture/humidity after watering.

Shop light fixtures can be fine for growing, 6500 color temperature 'daylight' bulbs are best, but you can get started growing leaves and roots if you bought something else. Your plants are way too far from the bulbs though. I am fairly certain the lights didn't burn the Oncidiums unless the leaves we're touching or nearly touching the bulbs.

That's a start; good luck, you likely will get other suggestions.

[annie.exe]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

The images are fairly low-resolution, so I am generalizing somewhat, based on what I see in the larger plants.

Many of them look severely dehydrated. Watering with plain water is fine, but if you have good root growth, then you need to water more effectively. Each time you water, flush water thoroughly through the medium. Then, water again when the medium is nearly dry again. For very dehydrated plants, don't be afraid to soak the roots of the plants a good long while (up to an hour at a time is a good place to start).

If your relative humidity is real low (Minnesota, I'm guessing central heat?), Use a humidifier or some other means to increase humidity.

For the small bare root plants, they are unlikely to survive like that for long. If you want to grow bare root in a pot, try a terracotta pot, which will retain some moisture/humidity after watering.

Shop light fixtures can be fine for growing, 6500 color temperature 'daylight' bulbs are best, but you can get started growing leaves and roots if you bought something else. Your plants are way too far from the bulbs though. I am fairly certain the lights didn't burn the Oncidiums unless the leaves we're touching or nearly touching the bulbs.

That's a start; good luck, you likely will get other suggestions.

I'll have to take some serious action on them being dehydrated I didn't know it was that bad. I do have some orchid fertilizer that I got from an orchid nursery here so I'll start using that. I'm not sure why I was afraid of it.


Thank you for all the suggestions! All of this was so helpful. I really appreciate it I feel totally blind in this so the direction is great. Thanks again!

Edit: Yes central heat

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by annie.exe

I'm sorry the quality was bad! I have a 1080p video of them if you don't mind that:

I'll have to take some serious action on them being dehydrated I didn't know it was that bad. I do have some orchid fertilizer that I got from an orchid nursery here so I'll start using that. I'm not sure why I was afraid of it.


Thank you for all the suggestions! All of this was so helpful. I really appreciate it I feel totally blind in this so the direction is great. Thanks again!

Edit: Yes central heat

[annie.exe]

I appreciate all your advice so much - thank you! I tried to make some changes. I moved my light down, moved all my non phals up on upside down pots, soaked/lightly fertilized, moved my bare root plants to terra cotta, and got a humidifier

Unfortunately I'm going to need to change the humidifier because it only lasted for 7 hours :/ .. It did up my humidity from 28% to 53% though so I'm hoping if I can find a good one that this will help my orchids a lot

Here's a picture with the changes as well as the label of the fertilizer I used: Imgur: The magic of the Internet


I know I still have a long way to go but I already think your advice will help my orchids a lot

Edit: removed video and added attachment of picture

[emmajs243]

Originally Posted by annie.exe

I appreciate all your advice so much - thank you! I tried to make some changes. I moved my light down, moved all my non phals up on upside down pots, soaked/lightly fertilized, moved my bare root plants to terra cotta, and got a humidifier

Unfortunately I'm going to need to change the humidifier because it only lasted for 7 hours :/ .. It did up my humidity from 28% to 53% though so I'm hoping if I can find a good one that this will help my orchids a lot

Here's a picture with the changes as well as the label of the fertilizer I used: Imgur: The magic of the Internet


I know I still have a long way to go but I already think your advice will help my orchids a lot

Edit: removed video and added attachment of picture

If you are still in the market for a humidifier, the Vicks filter free cool mist has done a very good job for me. I have two of them and they are fairly cheap. I got mine from target in store and had them price match the target.com price of $35 a piece. Well worth while. I was going to look for pricier ones but then I was reminded the likelihood that after a year or so you may end up chucking it and buying a new one due to mold/mildew accumulation!