Excited newbie from Norman, Oklahoma!!!

[nmathis10154]

I have wanted an orchid for a very long time but as my mother is flower crazy and has many different kinds of flowers she advised me not as they take a lot of care and special needs. I was very excited when I received one for Mother's Day! It looked to be very healthy as the leaves were a deep shiny green and had many already bloomed and many new buds! I have been reading up on them and I do not know what kind mine is (it came from Wal-Mart) nor do I know anything about them besides what is on the tag "Orchids are easy" it said to run under water for 2 min every 10 days, fertilize once a month. I cant get some things straight. If I can get these to grow it would be my new addiction! Tips are greatly appreciated!

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

After you get 5 posts (just one more ) you can post photos, that will help us know what it is. The best way to water depends on the type, I like to judge how often to water based on cues from the plant and medium rather than on a set schedule, that way as the weather changes you don't over or under water.

A general rule of thumb is that orchids like a lot of water, but then to dry out in between watering and don't like to be left sitting in water (such as water collected in an outer cache pot).

I water by filling the outer cache pot, leave to stand 5min then drain, then come back after another 5min and drain any drips that have collected. The running water method is just as valid though and I find better for some types of orchids.

Some types of orchids like to stay sitting in water, but it can be death for others (depending on the medium).

I think I'm making it sound complicated... not knowing which type you have makes it hard to simplify it. Hopefully with a picture we can give you some good advice.

[lexusnexus]

Not true. Phals are one of the easiest plants to grow. They aren't complicated at all. Yes, they have different care needs than other plants. But not difficult at all. Please do some reading through the various boards on this site. Some orchids may not do well in your particular growing environment. I live in the NW corner of my condo building. So I can't grow cymbidiums or cattlelyas because I don't get enough bright light, and have no desires to turn my living room into a SE facing Himalayan mountain side, a foggy seaside locale, or a tropical rainforest. My orchids grow in the same place I live so I select orchids that will flourish in my conditions.

[judith_arquette]

This is a GREAT forum! I'm fairly new to orchids as well, but became addicted quickly
A pic would help but I'll hazard to guess its a phalaenopsis orchid. If you go to the beginner discussion forum and read through the sticky The Phal Abuse Ends Here you will find a wealth of knowledge that should help you immensely. It is a long thread but I highly recommend reading it fully (make take a day or more depending on your schedule). Don't be too hard on yourself if you lose this one, I've gotten all of mine from "wal-mart" type places and they've all had root rot to some extent, from "there's no saving this plant" to just minimal rot. I've learned a lot from the plants that didn't survive so I don't consider it a total loss
The forum members here are the best, with their help I've gone from killing mine to getting new root/leaf growth. Good luck! You'll find all the help u need here <3

[RosieC]

I wasn't saying it's complicated... I was saying my advice was getting complicated by not know which sort of orchid we're talking about

If it's a Phal then there is some really simple advice I give beginners, and I found them very easy. It's just the advice for Phals would not work for all other orchids.

[nmathis10154]

Thanks so very much! I've been looking some things up and I believe it to be a Phal.

[RosieC]

OK, well this is my simple advice for Phals.

1. Water when the roots seen through the pot (near the bottom) are turning silvery.

2. If you can't see through the pot then use a wooden skewer pushed in to the bottom of the medium, pull it out and if it's damp it's not time to water, if it's dry then water. Leave it in the pot and use the same hole to push it in each time.

3. When you water use plenty of water. Either pouring through as you've been advised, but that can take a lot of water, or fill an outer pot with water and soak for 5-15 min.

3. Don't leave standing in water (such as drips into a cache pot). I like to come back 5-15min after watering (after pouring out the water if using the soaking method) and pour out any drips that have collected.

4. Keep in bright light, but not direct sunlight. An east window-ledge is often recommended.

5. They like house type temps, preferring warmer rather than cooler. A small cool down in autumn can help getting new flower spikes.

[nmathis10154]

That helps clear some things up! Thanks!
anything about fertilizing? I went to home depot and got some orchid Fertilizer. The box says every two weeks but the tag on the plant said once a month?

[lexusnexus]

Once you get to the magic number of posts (which I believe is 5) you can post pictures. We love 'em. And they will aid greatly if you are having any problems. Oh, by the way, as far as anyone here knows there is no known cure for the addiction either.

[VMStearns]

Hi NMathis,

Welcome to the Orchid Board. I am a new member myself and have learned so much, just browsing through the Beginner Forum.

The usual recommendation for fertilizing is "Weekly, Weakly" in other words, once a week using a solution of fertilizer that is 1/4 the strength recommended. In other words, if the fertilizer directions instruct you to add a teaspoon of fertilizer to one gallon of water, put in 1/4 teaspoon.

I like to allow my Phalaenopsis to soak for 10-15 minutes in the water of choice (tap water if it is not had or treated, or water that uses Reverse Osmosis, commonly referred to as R/O or the more expensive distilled water). After the pot has drained a few minutes I slowly pour some of the fertilizer water over the media and then allow the pot to drain completely.