Hello to alll...
 

Hello all,

I am have come seeking wisdom. Living in southwest Arizona is starting to bring new challenges to growing an orchid. As this is our first of hopefully many orchids to come, my girlfriend and I are looking to get things done correctly.

Let me add our baby is a Phalaenopsis. It does not look like too happy of a plant. It is still in the original store plastic pot.... I know I know i should have my toe nails ripped out!!! lol lol However, we are unsure of the proper media to transplant into and where to buy. Most only option is "hardware store" grade for now. As a new leaf is starting to sprout I am unsure if it can be re-potted now.

And you'll find it!:D

The climate where you live is a challenge by itself. Some of the members live more or less near you so they'll be of tremendous help.

And your orchid is a...?

BTW, welcome!:)

The plant looks basically healthy. That wrinkled yellow leaf can be removed. I can see actively growing roots (green tips) so now is the time to repot.

If you can't get to a garden center, many hardware stores that carry any kind of potting mix will have some kind of orchid mix too. Any commercial orchid mix should be fine for a Phal. As always, you will need to adjust your watering frequency to maintain the right moisture depending on the media, pot and conditions.

If you can't find any mix, plain sphagnum moss can work for a while. Then get some orchid mix from one of the many orchid potting supply websites and plan on switching in spring.

If you are growing indoors you have the same challenges indoor growers have anywhere - proper light, temperature and humidity. Humidity may be a bigger issue for you than other areas, but most commonly grown orchids will survive in any conditions temp and humidity that you are comfortable.

Knowledge is your best tool. Search the forums and the internet for basic care instructions, ask questions, and remember that if it seems you get conflicting recommendations it means there isn't just one right way.

It's a phal... it seems thirsty.
Can you tell us the environmental conditions where the plant is located? Temp, % HR and, for now, watering frequency?

Thanks everyone for the reply's.

Let me start off with stating that here in Arizona it has been the one of the hottest summer in the 6 years I have been living here. Outdoor temps are always over 100 and days 110+. We are cooling now and days should be closer to 100+ to high 90's. I can not quote the relative indoor humidity. With the AC running 24/7 day temps are kept approximately 80 and night temps 72.

However, rbarata you are correct the phal is thirsty. We skipped on watering for a week or more. Once I realized that we had missed watering I socked the root in water and let it dry out. And a day later misted it with Miracle-Gro plant food mist. I have also added some small stones under the plastic inner pot and keep water around the stones to spike up humidity.

The roots and media have firmed back up and things look to be doing better.

Welcome to OrchidBoard :) You can repot that phal anytime you want, it doesn't matter about a new leaf.

With the A/C, temps are ok. Don't forget... most A/C's cause a drop in HR when colling the air.

You can get a device like this one... you can find it is big stores and they're cheap a serves the purpose.
HR monitoring is important, not only for healthy growth, but also to find a correct watering scheme, considering the medium you're using and the plant's requirements.

OK...Made a trip to Lowe's and came up with some Gubler Orchid Grow Mix, Coarse Grade. After doing some reading this looked to be the road to follow.

Welcome to the board. It looks good but remember that you will have to water it more now that it is re-potted. Let it almost dry then water.