--- title: "Hi! This is my first ever orchid and I have some confusion…Planta…" description: "Hi! This is my first ever orchid and I have some confusion…Planta says they do not require frequent watering, yet it’s telling me to water twice per week…so…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/ppvAE0bqRvaeRK-tjD3u6g" community: "The Orchid Oasis" author: "Plantastic" published: "2024-07-09T22:36:07.508988Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Z5exufrrAOJMMRAs20Fju7sWX3joAxQ8uPzp7eFigmw/-MS5AzoATlKbtHc-qA7wUw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md) # Hi! This is my first ever orchid and I have some confusion…Planta… _Posted by Plantastic on 2024-07-09_ Hi! This is my first ever orchid and I have some confusion…Planta says they do not require frequent watering, yet it’s telling me to water twice per week…so which is it?! 😅 hoping to keep this baby alive and well for as long as possible. Thanks! ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Z5exufrrAOJMMRAs20Fju7sWX3joAxQ8uPzp7eFigmw/-MS5AzoATlKbtHc-qA7wUw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Z5exufrrAOJMMRAs20Fju7sWX3joAxQ8uPzp7eFigmw/SLP5Tb1jSiy4WVpC-4rXfQ.webp?size=large) ## 17 comments ### Danii the Planter commented on 2024-07-09 I always water when I notice their roots are looking silver/grey. It’s easy to tell when they need water with a clear pot and good drainage. Make sure you soak her throughout until the roots become green. Hope that helps :) #### Plantastic replied on 2024-07-09 It came in a plastic pot like this that sits inside the ceramic one (drainage hole at the bottom). How exactly would I tell that in this? I can’t really see the roots, I don’t think ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Z5exufrrAOJMMRAs20Fju7sWX3joAxQ8uPzp7eFigmw/QynKPlG0TWSEcqA_EJI0Bw.webp?size=large) #### Danii the Planter replied on 2024-07-09 Yea you’re right, it’s kinda hard to see, maybe consider getting new one ? This is what mine looks like! As you can see, they’re green because I watered her yesterday. But it’s super easy to tell when she needs water you will see them turn silver ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ErMz79nnGj8MsS79VUvUSlFCJ6tqmLYaQ6eNlw1s89M/4FjdnlaLQVOzxaZ-sfkOhg.webp?size=large) #### Plantastic replied on 2024-07-09 Yeah that’s definitely easier to tell. It was a gift from a friend so it came like this. It seems to be planted in moss? And I don’t know that I should repot her so soon? #### Danii the Planter replied on 2024-07-09 I mean you don’t necessarily need to go up in size if you do report her. I just personally think it helps to maintain the orchid 😅 I actually don’t have any plants in moss so I’m not too familiar on checking moisture for that. #### Plantastic replied on 2024-07-10 Gotcha. Thanks for the advice! :) _2 more replies in the app_ ### Heather commented on 2024-07-10 I have several phalaenopsis orchids and for years struggled with knowing if they were getting enough or too much water. 2 years ago I removed them from their potting medium and just set them on top of it. I keep the medium wet only to about 1 inch below the roots to allow for moisture evaporation to help humidity levels and just mist the roots once a day. I’m guessing a lot of people would think that makes too much work but for the first time ever, I am getting new flower spikes. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pnXnsRbEbVfHs29czNYzK4jB6BFd3BsI9bsKKyqia8I/7QwwW6WFQ9u3IZzq_yjzbQ.webp?size=large) #### Plantastic replied on 2024-07-10 So interesting, thanks for sharing! What kind of medium do you have yours in? ### Heather commented on 2024-07-10 I use regular orchid potting medium. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pnXnsRbEbVfHs29czNYzK4jB6BFd3BsI9bsKKyqia8I/qTNFtwpCTci48fvtEUw6tA.webp?size=large) ### Heather commented on 2024-07-10 The orchid just sits on top of it and I most the roots once a day ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/pnXnsRbEbVfHs29czNYzK4jB6BFd3BsI9bsKKyqia8I/d6-Uj70vQ_6ZomO9IW7VWQ.webp?size=large) ### Heather commented on 2024-07-10 Btw…that particular plant was the same size as the one you posted 12 months ago. It can in a 3 inch wide pot. The current pot is 5” and I need to find a new home for him again. #### Plantastic replied on 2024-07-10 Wow that is amazing! Hoping for your same good fortune! 🤞🏼 ### Heather commented on 2024-07-10 Get a good orchid fertilizer. I found the easiest way to feed mine is just fill a clean sink with water and appropriate amount of plant food (I do 1/2 strength) and let the plants soak for about 10 minutes. Then return them to their pots. I have a Vanda orchid (see profile photo) that gets the same treatment (which is what gave me the idea to try bare roots in the first place). ### Catnip commented on 2024-07-11 \*\*Make sure you check if your new orchid has a greenhouse plug! It’s basically this cone shaped, densely packed substrate that is used to keep the orchid roots hydrated during transit. It can get pretty nasty with mold \& will suffocate the roots over time if you don’t remove it #### Plantastic replied on 2024-07-11 Oh shucks, good to know, thank you!! --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_