Introduction and need help with orchids! - Orchid Board

Rorchid · #1 07-19-2011, 06:48 PM

Hey everyone I am 23 years old and new to this site! I have recently started to care for my mothers orchids. I am more of a houseplant person, ZZ, Weeping Figs, Ponytail Palms and such, but I love orchids too. She has around 20 orchids, mostly phalaenopsis, two lady slipper orchids, and a couple cymbidiums. I noticed all of them had a white film on the pots, which i read was salt? And i repotted them all in a phal mix that has bark. The roots were rotted so I cut the bad ones out. She has them in a sun room, so I put sheer curtains up to filter the sun, a fan for air circulation, and a thermometer so i can see what the temp and humidity is. I will take picture of them when I can, but if anyone has some words of advice it would be greatly appreciated, I need all the help i can get!

sii · #2 07-19-2011, 06:56 PM

sweetjblue · #3 07-19-2011, 07:22 PM

Sent you another PM.

Judi

Zoi2 · #4 07-20-2011, 03:48 AM

Hello and welcome.
Joann

ronaldhanko · #5 07-20-2011, 03:57 AM

Sounds to me like you've pretty6 much done all that needs to be done.

cricketerry · #6 07-20-2011, 05:15 AM

The cyms can take a lot more sun than the phals and benefit from a cooling down period in the fall. Having them inside year round may not be best for them particularly if the sunroom is heated.

Rorchid · #7 07-20-2011, 04:51 PM

Cricketerry- Yeah I am moving the cyms to the back row of the table where the sun hits the most...I have a thermometer in the room it never gets above 82 degrees...It is airconditioned in there (thankfully) haha.
Thanks everyone for your advice, i need it!

WhiteRabbit · #8 07-20-2011, 11:43 PM

glad you found us

About the cyms - it's difficult the get them to bloom if they are grown indoors all year - they do like quite a bit of sun - and as pointed out, many need a cool period late summer into fall - at least a couple weeks of night temps of low 50s or lower (not all of them require this, but without knowing if yours are warmth tolerant or not, it's best to presume they need the cool period). They can take a fair amount of heat in summer as well, but most won't bloom without the cool period. In general cyms can take temps to just below freezing for short periods, to a bit over 100 for short periods - stick them outside if it's at all possible

gl!

Rorchid · #9 07-21-2011, 10:11 AM

whiterabbit- thanks! I am going to try your advice...and I really need to read up on the cyms i really don't know too much about them and the internet information is somewhat conflicting...I like the personal experience from growers, so i am going to set up something outdoors for them, lately the weather has been in the 90's, do you think a cool airconditioned room would be good for the cool periods?

WhiteRabbit · #10 07-21-2011, 03:39 PM

I know how you feel, it can be hard to sort out growing info, and I know that my orchid growing has improved a lot since I joined OB

I don't think an air conditioned room is likely to be cool enough for the cool period - I think they need to be at least getting low 50s (or lower) at night. Most people just leave them outside til just before first threat of frost.
If your cyms have tags with names, there are some members who may be able to tell if they might be warmth tolerant (not needing cool period to bloom - tho they still benefit from being outside as much as possible, to get enough light, and can take pretty cool temps)

The media should not be allowed to become completely dry. Fertilize - flush media well with plain water once a month.

Resist the urge to baby cyms - I think that knowing they are cool growers, people equate that with being delicate, which cyms are not lol, they are quite hardy - just try to avoid direct, full mid-day sun during summer and extreme heat, and protect from frost and freeze