I decided to finally give Orchids a try. After doing a bit of research I got two at wal-mart. I'm not sure exactly what they are, one was simply labeled "Orchid" and the other didn't even have a price tag (sadly that didn't mean it was free) The cashier didn't know what it was, and didn't know how to spell Orchid. So the receipt says "orchpla" I know they are some type of Phalaenopsis hybrids, but I don't know the exact botanical names. Anyway I really want them to survive, so please let me know if I missed anything important. So far I've: 1. trimmed the roots 2. placed them in new clay orchid pots (used to be in plastic, no holes) 3. put them in fresh orchid bark mix (they used to be in very tightly packed moss) 4. let the pot and all soak for 10 minutes with the water line just below the rim of the pot and I was thinking of putting gravel in the drainage tray, pouring water on that and setting the pot on top of the gravel for more humidity, since its a very dry climate here. "Orchid" "Orchpla" Any advice in keeping them alive, or help in identifying them would be appreciated. P.S. Ignore the holiday cactus in the middle. I don't know how he got in there anyway...
I do not know what yours are I am new to orchids. I tired 2 types this year the Egret Orchid and a Tacca Black Bat. The Egret Orchids did fine and all 6 bloomed outside in the heat and humidity. The Black Bat I just brought in from outside. I am using the gravel for humidity. I used a metal baking pan...fill it with small aquarium rock...piled it up more in the center...placed the metal pan on a heating pad...and keep the orchid potting mix moist at all times...keep water filled around the rock just enough so it does not reach the bottom of the pot. I have also read do not mist the leaves with water this can cause brown spots on the leaves. My Black Bat should bloom this Nov. or Dec. if all goes good. Once a week I will run a hot shower and close the bathroom door to collect the steam and then place the plant into the tub to create moisture for the leaves. These things are all things I have read about Orchids but it is my first time also. I hope it will help.
Those are beautiful. I haven't had an orchid since I lived in south Florida 30+ years ago and there they thrived outside year round so extra care was minimal.
Congratulations on your Phalaenopsis orchids. They're so easy to care for, even I can do it. No direct sunlight, no standing in water but a shower now and then is appreciated. Start fertilizing when the tip of the grey roots turn green, that's the sign of growing season beginning. You'll do fine. Good luck, enjoy them.
A few more tips on the phaleonopsis orchids: when blooming ceases and the flowers drop (they last a month), DO NOT cut off the spikes (stems flowers grew on) but wait and see if new buds will form on them instead. May take a while but as long as the spikes stay "green" looking, they will produce more large beauties but if they turn brown, cut them off. Also, instead of soaking the pots on a regular basis, try placing three (3) ice cubes on tops of orchid mixture once a week..this method works like a charm as my plants..I've had 6 years now..can testify to (found these directions on a label in pot when they were purchased at Wally World). When I repot my orchids, I always trim off any dead-looking or diseased roots; use the smallest orchid chips I can find; pack the root system with well-moistened sphagnum moss before potting up and back-filling with orchid mix..the sphagnum helps retain moisture around the roots instead of allowing it all to just drain thru the bark and root system dry out. The orchids get 12 hours of artificial light per day; have them set in plastic saucers (found in plant section of stores) which are half-filled with small pebbles for drainage/humdity; get any kind of water-soluable fertilizer I have on hand 2-3 times a year; never get misted and do just fine! Orchids are really a bit over-hyped unless you get into the fancy cattalyas, etc., so have no fear growing the ones you've purchased....good luck!!
Geez... you all make it sound so easy! A co-worked abandoned one here in the office. I tried to save it... but failed.
Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely try that ice cube thing. Unfortunately the store didn't have any more moss, so I went with bark... which seems to dry out very quickly, so Its been hard to restrain myself from over watering them.
Sound like you are doing the right things. I would make sure, however, that you don't let your orchid pot sit in water for a long time. This will rot your orchid roots. Putting pebbles in a water dish is a great idea to give your orchid humidity but make sure the orchid pot touches only the pebbles and not the water. Simon Adams
The best tip I can give you is Google search a specific thing that you would like to learn about on orchid care. moderator's note: removed website link, see point 1.1 of usage rules