Hello Susan!
Did you mean to attach a photograph to this post? I don't see anything! Try going and seeing whether yours looks like this!

I sure did mean to, and here it is! I was able to find out on google that this the green wrinkled things are "air roots"(?)but that's about all. At the time I googled I didn't have any bloom to go by. Anyway, I need to know the very basics; this is our first orchid. Thanks again.
{{gwi:139884}}

calvin, omigosh, I read the growing instructions on the link you so kindly posted, and I can't believe this poor flower is still with us! We've been waaaaaaaay overwatering it, I'm sure.

I'm still not clear on what kind of fertilizer and what I should do with these roots or how to repot it. Anything you care to take the time to tell me, I'd appreciate it.

Susanka

Susanka,

From the looks of your orchid you aren't doing too shabby :) Most people here will admit to having killed their first orchid very quickly, so getting yours to bloom is an achievement.

It's leaves are a little too dark green so I would give it a little more light, but not too much as that may burn it. Slowly (over the course of a few weeks) move it over to a brighter spot and monitor to make sure that leaves aren't getting warm to the touch.

Since the orchid has been in the same pot for the 5 years is is certainly due for a repot. Here is a website that describes how to repot. You should be able to get a new orchid mix from your local Home Depot or Lowes store. They usually have an "Orchid Mix" or "Phalaenopsis Mix" consisting of Bark, Charcoal and Perlite. Either one of these mixes would work. If you say that you've been overwatering, it's possible that all the roots inside the pot have rotted away, in which case when you repot you should tuck the aerial roots into the medium. Don't move to a larger pot unless there are lots of roots in the medium, orchids generally like to be a little underpotted (you want to fit the roots not the plant).

As to fertilizer, most HD and Lowes stores have an Orchid fertilizer. However any balanced fertilizer around 10-10-10 will do. Make sure you do not over fertilize as orchids can only take in minute amounts of nutrients. Many people fertilize with 1/2 or 1/4 the recommended dose with every watering, aka "fertilizing weakly weekly". Once you start fertilizing you want to make sure to flush the pot at least monthly with clean water from the faucet to make sure that there is no salt buildup.

I know that this is a lot of information, and you certainly have more questions, so I'm also going to refer you to our FAQ. However, please don't hesitate to ask further questions if they're still not answered.

Also, many people here will recommend that you buy a beginner book on orchids such as Ortho's Orchids. These are also usually available at HD and Lowes as well as Amazon, etc.

I hope I've helped and welcome to the forum!
Best,
Jem

Hi Susan,

Most orchids are epiphyites which means they grow on trees or rocky outcroppings. They are not parasitic at all.

The roots you see are for anchoring and providing nourishment. If you spray the "roots", you'll see them turn a beautiful darker green. This is the velamin which is a spongy covering for the actual root. If you have any roots that are real squishy, you can actually pull the rotted velamin away and see the thin root inside.

If you want to you can get the roots really wet so they'll bend easier and gently (I stress gently) put them back into the medium.

Enjoy and welcome to a wonderful obsession.

Penelope

jemsta, thank you for all the information; seems like I should be okay at this point. I thought the orchid fertilizer they have at HD and Lowe's was the wrong kind; I must have misinterpreted something I read when I was googling around.

Thanks again to both you and calvin.

Penelope, thank you also! You folks are so generous with your help. I thought this orchid would never bloom, we were amazed to see its buds come out, and I've always thought I lack a green thumb entirely.

Susan, I'm glad you found the information useful! Jem and penelope gave really good tips - I don't have much more to add, except you may want to wait for repotting/moving until the plant is done flowering. Higher light will mean a healthier plant, but may make flowers fade faster...and any sort of stress/changes in temperature from the repotting may lead the plant to drop it's flowers. Since your leaves look relatively healthy, I don't think any sort of emergency change in culture is needed at the moment. Enjoy the blooms which should last a good 2 months at least, and then when it's done flowering, you can start the repotting/moving to slightly brighter light process. You may even get more blooms in less than a year! :)

Wow! These blooms might last 2 months? Amazing!

Thanks again, all.

Hi Susan, I've been looking for you! I played with your bookcases, as you asked :) Please visit HD. I just bumped the thread back up.

I came back to see when I had done this original post. My phalaenopsis is still blooming, has never stopped since my original post!

When a phal is happy, they are 'blooming machines'! A well grown mature plant will keep in bloom for six months or longer. That's why they are so very popular. The stores/nurseries all have lots of blooming phals, treat yourself & your newly found green thumb to another. They are such rewarding plants to grow.

Sheila :)

I've read through this thread and think its great you managed to keep this orchid so happy and alive. I've never owned an orchid and I took the big step yesterday and ordered one... it is a Phal schilleriana species. I hope I'm as successful as you in this! I have a green thumb when it comes to a lot of plants, but I never grew one quite like this.

Ryan