New to orchids - how's mine doing? (pic)

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Daethen

Paul, I thought the goal was a lime green. Now I am confused. I get told that my leaves are too dark because of not enough light.

I've always understood that a lot of orchids should be line green, BUT that Phals tend to need to be darker. However it depends on the parentage of the phal, some are paler naturally. Most of my phals are quite dark green to almost a red tint. The only real exception is my Phal bellina which is lime green.

[RosieC]

Hi Strider,

I water by soaking for about 15 minutes. They key is to make sure it dries enough between watering (actually the key is to ensure the roots get enough air as they need air as well as water).

Sometimes people here that orchids should not be kept too wet and go the opposite direction and water too little. When you water give it lots, but then drain it and don't leave it standing in water too long.

As already suggested a bamboo skewer can be a good measure for this. I judge by having a clear inner pot. When the roots you can see near the bottom are still green then don't water yet, when they take on a silvery sheen then it's time to water. Other people judge by weight of the pot but while I do that as well now I think it takes more experience and for the first couple of years I couldn't do that.

Sometimes a good soak can encourage growth like you have seen when you left it standing in water. The problem is that while it can initially draw up the extra water, if the roots do not get enough air they will start to rot and of course once the roots are rotted the plant will suffer.

I had a Paph orchid which was left standing in water for two weeks. It put on some growth, but I know from experience with others that if I had kept it that way on a more regular basis it would have suffered.

Some orchids roots will rot quicker than others (I think I was lucky with the Paph). It may be worth checking them out on yours, it's better to catch rot before the plant shows signs in it's leaves because by then it's harder to rescue it.

[Samhain]

Thanks Rosie! You've given me some very helpful information I'm glad I am no longer leaving my plant standing in water even though it seems to have helped it for the time I had it in there. I'm glad I took it out in time! I just stuck a skewer in the pot so I'll try using that as a guide. When I replanted it today to cut off the brown roots, there were also plenty of healthy green ones.

Unfortunately my clear plastic container broke in the fall but I'm going to get another one as soon as I can.

Thanks everyone for the help and the very friendly welcome

[Strider 60]

Originally Posted by Samhain

Oooo that's a great idea! Thanks! Would a run-of-the-mill wooden chopstick from a Chinese restaurant work as well? How deep should the stick go into the "bark"?

Those may not be bamboo, you need more like sishkabob skewers, the cheap ones and insert all the way in to the bottom

[Samhain]

Okay, thanks! I'll have a look at the supermarket.

Thank you for all of your tips and helpful information, everyone!

[Daethen]

If you need a clear pot, look through your cupboards. Old deli containers work great. Just cut/melt some air holes in them and you are good to go.

Thanks for the info on the phal color, guys. I just bought a bellina and I thought that the light color of it might have been because it had been in the green house. Now I will keep an eye on it.

[sarahliz79]

Hey there....

Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.... NEW leaves on all three of my phals tend to be lighter then darken as they mature. In fact, new leaves are lighter than mature ones on pretty much all house plants, not just orchids. My philodendrons and begonias are the same way so don't panic if the new leaves are lighter than the others! Basically I agree with Paul... if they're putting out new roots and leaves then you're doing something right!

As for watering.... I REGULARLY water just about ALL my orchids (not just the phals) by soaking them in a basin of water for 5-10 min then letting them drain. In my opinion this is better than running water thru the pot simply because it uses less water! I also think it lets the media absorb the ferts better. That being said I ALWAYS let them drain/dry out for about a week afterwards and every couple months I DO run water thru pots so that I don't get mineral build up from fertilizing. I also have them under a grow light so that dries them out quicker than normal.

Basically it's just trial and error and while there are general 'rules' to orchid growing (such as the whole 'weakly/weekly' ferts regimen) what works for one person may not work for you because our houses are all different microclimates depending on where we live, if we have air conditioners/heaters running, ect. Just do your best and if it dies well.... now you know what NOT to do!! Lol

[Samhain]

Hello again guys! I just wanted to update you on my orchid

There are two possible new growths! Do they both look like new flower stalks to you? I am soaking it for a while right now - when I went to water it, the roots were rather silvery and the plant was lifting out of its bark (it's been quite hot the past couple of days) but to me it looks like it's doing fine. I can't wait to see what the new growth will look like!

Here are some pics:

[Gage]

Both new growths are roots. That's a good thing. Phals usually are constantly putting out new roots farther up the plant as it ages, to replace the old ones eventually.

[Samhain]

Oh cool! So, will they be air roots then? Or will they find their way into the bark? I'm just glad to see new growth, no matter what it is

Thanks!