Help! New Member with LOTS of Questions

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you have doubts about how wet Phals should be grown, may I recommend looking at these pictures of them growing in the wild?

Phalaenopsis in situ - Flickr: Search

The environment they're growing in is a tropical Asian swamp forest.

[Izzie]

Ach, my reply was eaten.
I'm sorry if I seem contrary, I see what you mean.
I'm worried because I suspect that there is still peat in the bottom of this pot and whatever roots are still alive down there are suffocating/rotting. I've heard that I should unpot it and let it dry out, or just water it more. I'm not sure which point of view to consider. I'm beginning to think I should just find a happy "medium". (pun intended? )

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Well...

Step one would be to remove the moss and any dead roots.

Then repot into fresh media.

Finally water appropriately.

I recommend a clear plastic pot to see what is happening in the root zone.

They should dry out to the point where the roots turn silvery white again briefly, before watering again.

[Izzie]

Sounds like a plan. As soon as I get a break, I'll see what I can do.

I've been thinking of putting some packing peanuts in the bottom of the pot to get more breathing room down there?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Sounds like a plan. As soon as I get a break, I'll see what I can do.

I've been thinking of putting some packing peanuts in the bottom of the pot to get more breathing room down there?

That's not a problem, but once the roots start growing into that layer, I recommend removing the foam peanuts. They have been known to grow into it.

[Izzie]

What do you mean by "grow into it"? Like penetrate/go through the peanuts? Or they're repelled by it.

[phalaephila]

I see that no one answered your question about cinnamon. I believe that cinnamon is a dessicant, thus helps with fungal/bacterial infections in open wounds on orchids when used sparingly and locally. You do not, however, want to use it all over the roots, as it will inhibit their ability to take up water. In this case, more is definitely NOT better. Please don't use it as a preventative, keep it as a treatment when needed. To be honest, I don't use it at all....

And roots will grow into, through, around and adjacent to packing peanuts. I've never found this to be a problem, they can break apart easily to release the root when repotting.

[Izzie]

Phalaephila- I've heard similar things to what you said.
Unfortunately too late. In my eagerness to do good by my little guys early in the game, I dusted all the substrate with cinnamon. Of course, it doesn't help that it's my favorite spice (I'm an avid cook) and I was excited to have them smell good!

To correct my error when I first heard of the root problem it can cause, I've thoroughly rinsed as much off as I can and am now only treating wonds/infections with it.

I suspect that a cinnamon solution would have the same effect?

[Izzie]

btw thank you for your replies everyone, I appreciate everyone putting up with my persistent questions!

[PleuroPal]

Hi Izzie,

I agree with King regarding the phal. Just water it a little more often - and you might lightly mist the arial roots every day or so. Of course you know about not letting water sit in the crown.

As for the oncidium, it has definitely experienced dehydration at some point - hence the wrinkly p-bulbs and accordion leaves. That will never go away now and will always serve as a constant reminder of that period of time that it didn't get enough water/humidity. If you've been watering it once a week, I would go to twice a week. You'll know you've hit the right balance when new p-bulbs and leaves finally appear and remain plump and smooth. If there's any way to increase the humidity in its environment, that would defiitely help too.