Hi I was just given this orchid and not entirely sure what to do….can I get some advice. It came with a tag and each plant is in individual pots (as seen in photo). Also it’s in a south facing window (the app says part sun) and there is a west facing window (full sun) on the other wall about 15ft away.
wow what a gift! scroll back in this orchid group for some replies from MeasomerPi — they are (imo) our resident orchid expert here on the app! great advice
3 J'aimeOk thanks
0 J'aime i wish you could tag people on here — there was a post yesterday from someone that i think will be helpful for ya 😊💚
4 J'aime
Thanks Eatyacarbs! Very kind of you. Hopefully Jen will post. She is very knowledgeable and has a great analytical approach.
2 J'aime Wow! That’s a lovely present. Orchids have a bad rep but they are actually easy enough if you keep in mind that they like their water but the LOVE for their roots to dry out. The best way to tell is to look at the roots. Green roots = don’t water. Silver roots = watering time. The type of media dictates how I water. I grow most of my Phalanopsis in bark so they dry out reasonably fast in my growing conditions. When the phal is ready for some water, I soak the pot for 10-15 minutes. Each time I water, I use fertilizer at 1/4 strength. Wait until the media dries out (look for silver roots) before watering again. For my setup, that works out to roughly once a week. For plants in sphagnum, I top water only because soaking causes the sphagnum to take in too much water. These orchids usually are ready for water every second week. Again this is based on my growing conditions so watch your plant to determine when it wants water. Once a month flush with pure water to reduce salt buildup (this is especially important if you are using synthetic fertilizer or have hard water). Put your plant in in bright but indirect light. Your location sounds good but watch out for direct sun. It will burn a phal pretty quickly. If the edges of the leaves turn reddish you know you are at the max limit of sun for your plant. Too low and you won’t get blooms. We are in the middle of a renovation so mine are “summering” in a northwest window that gets about an hour of direct sun right before dusk. I wouldn’t think it was enough but most are tinged red and three are putting on flowers. Since yours is a new orchid, the media is probably at the end of its useful lifespan so you’ll probably need to repot when it’s done blooming. You’ll want to repot your orchid every 2-3 years or when the media degrades. I like to repot my newly acquired plants after they are done blooming especially if it’s in sphagnum. I just don’t have luck with growing phals in it. Phalanopsis blooms typically last one to three months, so don’t worry when they start to fade. It’s just part of its natural annual cycle. I would cut the inflorescence back to the base of the plant once the final bloom drops. There is a way to try for a second bloom but in the following year flowers tend to be fewer in number and sometimes smaller. Flowering is very taxing process for the plants. The best tip for orchids is learn. Read up on their care if you are so inclined. There are several channels on YouTube with information on orchid care, like Miss Orchid Girl, Here.. but Not, Hello Plant Lovers and Growing Orchids With Roger. Podcasts like Plant Daddy and On the Ledge are useful. The American Orchid Society is another handy resource. I especially like their monthly to do lists. If you really want to dive into the rabbit hole, you can look for orchid societies in your area; nothing can replace interacting directly with growers that have been doing it for years. I find caring for orchids very rewarding and mildly frustrating. Luckily they are tough plants. As long as you don’t drown them, you will do great. Good luck!
1 j'aimeI have very few things to add other than confirming all the above, very reliable info from Pi. I’d watch how your plant reacts in the Southern window. It would be perfect for high light loving cattleyas and vandas etc, but your phalaenopsis, if there is any direct sun on the leaves, can burn. Just check on it as it acclimates to its new home, touching its leaves in the sunniest times of day. If you find they are hot to the touch, maybe move them back a smidge, or filter the sun in that spot with a sheer curtain. I’ll double down on waiting to repot until all those beautiful blooms fall, and mention that when you ARE ready, come back for more specific advice here. There are mistakes we’ve all made as new orchid parents that we regret and would love to help you avoid. Also going to second Miss Orchid Girl on YouTube. Check out her beginner series for fantastic advice and a solid knowledge base.
1 j'aime