Questiongs on my struggling rescued phalaenopsis.

[DickyBreeding]

Hello, and thanks in advance for all the help.

I found this orchid in a garbage can at a gas station over a year ago. The flower spike was dead but the orchid looked relatively healthy, so I suspect someone just ditched it after the first flowers were finished. It was my first orchid, so I took it home, read up on orchids and did my best to repot and take care of it. As you could probably guess my best at repotting was terrible and I drowned the poor thing for about three weeks before I realized what I was doing. Over the course of a few months all the leaves fell off aside from the half grown one (the largest in the picture). After that the second largest leaf popped up with these strange pockmarks on it and the thing didn't grow at all for about a year. You can see where it was at that point by the pinched off looking part on the second leaf. I sort of gave up on it at that point and stopped watering it for about a month before I noticed that second leaf had started growing again. The new growth on that leaf lacks the odd spots and feels very healthy. A third leaf has also began to grow and it too seems to be in good health. The whole time it has been growing great looking roots.

I was curious what you guys had to say about helping this thing along. I have no idea what the flowers look like and, this being my first orchid, I would absolutely love to see it bloom for once.

It's in a six inch pot, just for reference.

Thanks again!

[Azul]

the plant looks very healthy. I cant believe someone throw in the garbage.
Now you only have to wait. you can put on a container with stones and water. to give humidity.
and give light, humidity. and early bloom.

[Jimisox]

Yep, looks good, but youmay want to go smaller with the pot. It wasn't growing ontop probably because the roots were going nuts underneath. I would also maybe suggest a little smaller bark pieces. Mine grow best in smaller pieces. But yeah looks good, and light and the right watering/fertilizer should do the trick. Also I would recommend a plastic pot. I think it's easier to judge the dryness by weight of the pot and that clay pot makes it almost impossible to gauge it this way. Also plastic helps to evenly dry out. Sometimes the clay pot being so porus keeps water in and keeps things soggy. Good luck!!!!!

[Zoi2]

I agree with Jimisox, the pot is too big. Phals don't really like to have that much space. I'd repot in a 3-4 inch clear plastic pot. Clear plastic so you can see what the medium and roots are doing.
Looks like you did a pretty good rescue though
Joann

[quiltergal]

I agree with Jimi and Zoi about the pot size, and switching to clear plastic pots. If it's been awhile since you repotted now would be a great time. I find my Phals kick things into high gear with fresh medium. It looks like it's doing really well. Make sure you give it plenty of filtered light and regular fertilzing through the growing season.

When temps drop in the fall most of my Phals start setting new spikes. Ideally a 10 degree difference between day and night temps should do it.

Here are a couple of places that have good potting supplies. http://calwesttropical.com/ and rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer

[RosieC]

I agree with all of the above comments. A smaller pot as well as a clear pot would be a really good idea.

Phals tend to start a flower spike in the autum/winter when they get a good difference in temperatures between night and day, so keep looking after it until then and get it good and strong in preperation.