Hello from MD
 

Hello!

2 years ago, I received a small orchid as a gift from a client (I work in a veterinary hospital). I can't remember what the label identified it as, unfortunately. I had always joked with my co-workers that I have a black thumb, so I decided to leave it at work, where it stood a snowballs chance at survival.

After the flowers all dropped off, my total green thumb co-worker though it was dying, so I decided to do a little research, and found out that this was totally normal. So it got moved to the office window sill, and while it didn't necessarily thrive, it didn't die either.

A couple of days ago, I decided to bring him home, as my black thumb has turned quite a bit greener with a few other houseplants.

I repotted him, since he was still in his original tiny plastic cup, and his exposed roots appeared a bit crispy. I found that he was in a brick of cement like moss, with a few straggly roots sitting in a puddle of water.

He seems ok so far, but it'll be interesting to see how this journey goes.

Looking forward to learning more about this little guy. Hopefully, I can coax him to bloom again, mainly so I can post some pix and see if anyone can help me give him his name back!

Welcome!

Odds are, it is a Phalaenopsis. You'll find lots of friendly help here! Here's a "sticky thread" that can point you in the right direction, read through the first few screens, no need to overdose. The Phal abuse ends here.

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Welcome!

Thank you so much!

I actually read most of that thread before I signed up. I thought since I was going to keep him here at home, I'd better do some reading.

I trimmed off his gross old dead roots, rehydrated the crispy ones, and worked very slowly at getting the chunk of moss cement off of him.

So far he seems to be responding pretty well (but it's only been a few days, so we'll see).

But I did notice that there does seem to be some pretty friendly and very knowledgeable people here. Looking forward to this journey!

---------- Post added at 09:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 PM ----------



Thank you!

Time for some reading :)

Glad you like it here. And I wish you a long and pleasant stay.

Welcome to the Orchid Board, SeaDog!

:welcomeflowers:

So far, he seems to be doing well. I finally got around to taking a couple of pix tonight (kinda wish I'd thought to get some during the de-cementing process).

He looks to have a couple of newer roots showing up, and possibly a tiny little leaf (maybe?)

I'll try to get some better photos tomorrow (maybe even ones that can be viewed in an upright vertical position)

Looks as though you do have a green thumb.
Well done, and to me that surely looks like a phil.

Agree with WD, that definitely looks like a Phal. and one that isn't doing too badly all given your original post! Leaves look good, not underwatered at all!

Edit to add - P.S. :waving welcome

Thank You!

I'll admit to being a bit intimidated by this little guy, because I'd heard that orchids can be difficult. And I got a LOT of bad advice! My boss told me to just toss a couple ice cubes in the pot weekly. I didn't do this, mainly because I thought "Orchids are tropical, and there's not much ice in the tropics".

Of course, I did abuse him a bit during the repotting process. I cut some roots (but they were black and gross, so I didn't think it would be a big problem). And it seems from all the reading I've done here that his pot's a bit big, and not clear plastic. He seems to like the aquarium water I'm using as well. Maybe he'll bloom again someday, but even if he doesn't, his foliage is pretty.

Welcome, SeaDog!:)