Another from dry ol' Colorado!

[mandirose1]

Hello! I'm living in northeastern Colorado right now, (Denver metro,) and I have one phal right now. She was given to me on my birthday by a close friend. I was 8 months pregnant at the time, and occupied with preparing my 2 year old for a new sibling. I more or less followed the directions on the label for the phal which said to water 1-2TBS every 7 days.

I think it made it along okay with that tiny little drink I was giving it every week. It grew one new leaf and an aerial root. It's in the bathroom, so I'm sure showers helped too but it was pretty much parched until I learned how to properly water it the other day. Oops. I wonder how it would have done if properly watered? When I drenched it, (and don't worry, I won't drench it again until dry,) it's like it woke from a coma. All the roots turned from silver to green and there are 2 more aerial roots peaking out after just a day. They are completely dried out at the tips though. Should I trim the dried, dead stuff off the tips?

Now that I've done a little research I'm pretty excited to repot it, (it's pretty cramped in a 2in pot and sphagnum,) and see how she does!

I think my next might be a cymbidium. I think they're just gorgeous.

Nice to meet you guys, and I'm excited to share this hobby with you all!

[Joseia]

Welcome and good job learning about your Phal and how go take better care of her. This board is a great source of information and a great place to learn. My first orchid was a gift given to my wife a few years ago, a lot of us got hooked that way!

Go Broncos!

[mandirose1]

Thanks!
I'm reading like crazy, yet only on page 47 of stop the phal abuse.

[Reeses]

You're going to learn so much here! Enjoy the addiction!

[WhiteRabbit]

[Leafmite]

Hello and welcome!

[mandirose1]

Thank you!!

This tiny plant was hardly on my radar, just hanging out on my bathroom windowsill and now I just can't wait for my supplies to arrive tomorrow to repot the poor thing. Funny thing, this is.


Where can I find some more information on how to start the process of getting the plant to lean in the pot? It's got a slight lean going already, toward the window. Do I stick with that angle?

Thanks for any advice!

[Polarizeme]

Plants tend to lean toward the light to get the optimal light it needs. Turning it just wastes it's energy moving back to the light.
Phals are epiphytes (grow on trees) in nature and would lean completely over. The lean helps keep water from collecting in the crown too.
I just let them do what they want, they tend to do better when you do.
Good luck!
Oh, and

[Jungeoma]

Welcome from dry ol' New Mexico. Your addiction is just starting and there is no cure. I told myself 'this is the last one' but then I see something I absolutely must have and that is the next 'this is the last one' and so on and so on. We all have the same affliction. Thank goodness for the knowledable folks on this board.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board