Trying to post a question and I’m getting a message saying this content isn’t allowed. Testing to see if the app will let me post this one… ETA: I have no experience with these. Plant health? Root health? Need a repot?
Trying to post a question and I’m getting a message saying this content isn’t allowed. Testing to see if the app will let me post this one… ETA: I have no experience with these. Plant health? Root health? Need a repot?
It’s rejecting most everything I try to submit. So weird.
0개 좋아요Also would love an ID.
0개 좋아요Won’t let me comment either
0개 좋아요Must be a glitch. Will try posting again later…..
0개 좋아요It just won’t allow long comments.
0개 좋아요Bear with me as I break up my answer.
좋아요 1개As far as ID- this is a complex hybrid phalaenopsis.
2개 좋아요It won’t even let me say TY!
0개 좋아요Id’ing it may be impossible
2개 좋아요
Leaves look fine.
좋아요 1개
Roots are okay. Seeing some dead ones.
2개 좋아요
Wait to repot until after it’s done blooming.
2개 좋아요
Check out Miss Orchid Girl on YouTube.
2개 좋아요
This is insane
좋아요 1개Agreed!
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Looks like the posting glitch is fixed so here goes nothing Repot once it is finished blooming. The flowers typically last one to three months, annually. 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. Typically, the sphagnum is tightly packed. That’s not a great setup for the home grower. Also, the plant has probably been in it for a year or more. Generally, you’ll need to repot every 2-3 years or when the media is broken down. When you get ready to repot, I would first give it a good soak as things are easier when hydrated. Take the orchid out of the pot and gently remove the media from the roots. Try get it all, but it’s fine if you have to leave some so you don’t damage the roots. And don’t worry if you damage some roots. It isn’t great but it happens. Just try to minimize as much as possible. Examine the roots for health and pests. Trim off any dead or dying roots. Dead roots are papery or mushy, black or brown. Healthy roots are firm and green when wet, silvery when dry. Deeper into the media you may encounter pale yellow roots. It just means they haven’t been exposed to light. They are fine as long as they are firm. I would leave any wrinkled roots as long as they are firm. Use an orchid pot with additional ventilation. They are typically clear so you can monitor root development, and have ventilation holes on the sides of the pot. If you don’t have one, you can add holes to a growers pot or any other plastic pot you have on hand. Size the pot so that the roots just fit in the pot. They like a tight fit. To minimize transplant shock, I would repot using a mix of 50% sphagnum 50% bark. That will allow moisture to hang around long enough for the roots to take in what they want without cutting off air circulation. If you are a heavy waterer you can reduce the amount of sphagnum in your mix. My preference is straight bark. The key is a loose airy mix that will allow the roots to dry between waterings. Regardless of what mix you use, gently work it around the roots. I use an old chopstick for the job. The goal is to firmly seat the plant in the pot without packing the media. You want an airy mix that allows the roots to grab the water they want and then dry out. Orchids like their water but the LOVE for their roots to dry out. When I water, I soak the pot for 10-15 minutes. Wait until the media dries out (look for silver roots) before watering again. For my setup, that works out to roughly once a week. Each time I water, I use fertilizer at 1/4 strength. Once a month flush with pure water to reduce salt buildup (this is especially important if you are using synthetic fertilizer). Put your plant in in bright but indirect light. Direct sun will burn a phal pretty quickly. Too low and you won’t get blooms. I have mine an a west window that is shaded by landscaping. They get absolutely no direct sun. If the edges of the leaves turn reddish you know you are at the max limit of sun for your plant. 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!
2개 좋아요Thank you for taking the time to share so much knowledge and advice with me. I really appreciate it!! I’ve taken screenshots of your response and subscribed to Miss Orchid Girl. My daughter convinced me to bring this beauty home. She was on clearance, and though I was hesitant to branch out into orchids, I’m definitely looking forward to learning about how to care for them.
2개 좋아요
I’m so glad you took the plunge!
좋아요 1개