A newbie w/ questions

15 years ago

Hi all--

I've been reading loads of posts and the FAQ on this forum and love how helpful you all are.

Anyway, I do not own any orchids yet, but one is on its way to me. I scored a Phal schilleriana species. I'm new to this stuff so forgive my ignorance- but it is a lavender/purple color that fades to white. It is a blooming size plant though it hasn't any blooms on it now and the leaves, which I think are pretty cool, are sort of marbled with a gray tinge with a purple underside.

Anyway, I live in Colorado, which I suppose is just fine for growing orchids as I found out last night that there was an orchid show at Tagawa gardens just up Parker Road from me!!!! I was so disappointed I didn't hear of it! Anyway, Colorado is very dry-- only 11% humidity today. I know orchids can adapt and what not but my concern is potting this plant when I get it. Chances are the seller has it in a pot that will do fine for now but I would like to move it to a medium of LECA or aliflora (not sure of the spelling). I grow bulbs and some other plants with pseudo bulbs/roots in this stuff and they seem to thrive in it. But I want to be able to give my orchid the best chances of survival.

So-- any one Colorado who can tell me what the best option is to keep my plant healthy and happy? I like the idea of hydro balls because they provide so much air to the roots and keep that air pretty moist. My amaryllis have really enjoyed it and though I have to water them more frequently, it really seems to be working.

So is it ok to plant phals in this stuff? I think I'd like to try the s/h method where the very bottom is able to hold some water but not touch the roots.

What about additives such as moss or bark? WOuld I even need to bother if I introduce a weak constant fert?

I'll likely have loads more questions but I figure giving this plant a good initial home is key. I'm currently waiting on my library to notify me of the stack of books I reserved on moth orchids. I can't wait!

Thanks all--

Ryan

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Comments (5)

arthurm
15 years ago
Your problem is that you have only one orchid so you cannot experiment as you could do if say, you were getting 10 of the one kind.

Where are you going to grow it? Outside here is a death zone because the climate is all over the place so my phalaenopsis never get put outside.

As for repotting it as soon as you get it.....Why? If it goes backwards you will not know whether it was the new mix or your growing conditions. Hasten slowly.

You might need to purchase a humidity gadget just to see what the readings are inside your house. When the arid winter winds blow the readings inside this house are about 40% and my Phals seem to do fine at those levels though i cannot say they are the greatest Phals ever seen.

Good luck, and repost when you get the plant re what it is potted it, condition etc. and no peeking at the roots if the plant looks great.
richardol
15 years ago
You need to grow this inside. Phalaenopsis schilleriana "is a hot grower that likes shade, good humidity and even watering year round which will produce flowers in the spring". Be careful with thinking about shade. That means outdoor shade light levels, not indoor.

This is a species Plaleanopsis and is more picky about conditions than the standard Phal hybrids you see at Big Box.

I suggest leaving the plant as-is for a year. In the meantime get a couple of Phal hybrids to practice repotting. Get the Ortho book All About Orchids which is usually available with the other Ortho gardening books at a garden center or Amazon.

Once you have started a collection with the Phal schilleriana you can start repotting to fit your conditions when you buy a new plant. I do that. But repotting an orchid takes some practice and guidance.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Phalaenopsis schilleriana
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ryan820
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi arthurm--

I'll be growing the plant inside as far as I know. I have an area it might like during the summer on the deck but even then things are awfully windy and dry so it might be too stressful.

I didn't mean to make it sound like I'd repot it right away-- only that if it were in a temp pot used for shipping or no pot at all, I'd like to be ready. If it is in a pot and is happy, I have no issues leaving where it is!

We have a humidifier in the house that runs pretty much all the time-- keeps the humidity level at whatever percent we want it set to. I never tested it with any other gadget but figure it works because it shuts off at about 50% relative and is quite comfortable.

I expect the plant on Thursday or Friday- I'm getting exited!
ryan820
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks richardol--

Wow and here I thought I got an easy one :o/ Oh well, the challenge is there and I accept.

I have loads of books coming in from the library-- I'll order them for myself if I like them.
mehitabel
15 years ago
If you want to raise the humidity around the plant, keep it on one of those "humidity trays" that has a grid on top. These won't humidify a room,but they raise the humidity around the plant quite a bit.

Enjoy your new orchid-- shilleriana is really gorgeous.

A newbie w/ questions

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arthurm

richardol

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