Orchid Noob... Questions, and am I on the right track?

12 years ago

So on a whim I picked up a small phalenopsis orchid from a department store on the 23rd, along with a box of orchid fertilizer. I didn't water it the first day I got it since it was evening by then, but watered it the next morning with a thorough flush of room temperature tap water. It was hard to make sure all the water came out the bottom since there seems to be only one hole in the center of the pot so I poked a couple more small holes in the bottom.

My bedroom has a south facing window with a hip-height dresser in front of it so I put the orchid on the dresser. It is just in the shade though not the sun, the sun is so high up in the sky now that light doesn't slant inside. I live near Seattle, Washington and we have only got maybe 2 sunny days for the past week but the temperature in the house has constantly been over 74 F.

I keep the ceiling fan in the room on all day when I am not sleeping (can't stand the sound of the fan) since I read orchids like air movement, and sometimes open the window the orchid is in front of if it isn't hotter outside than inside the house.

I've been reading different websites on orchids and checked out the Ortho All About Orchids book from the library and have been trying to make sure I don't kill my plant since orchids seem so hard to keep, but after reading everything the care honestly doesn't look too hard? Am I missing something? Am I on the right track?

I haven't watered my orchid since the day after I got it since the center of the pot is still moist (I'm keeping a bamboo skewer in the pot). A couple of the buds on it are starting to open up today, which I hope is a good sign?

I also have a couple questions. How often should I be feeding my orchid? The box of food says every 2-4 weeks, and the Ortho book says "weekly, weakly". I'm not sure which to follow...

Also, what in the world is my orchid potted in? I've seen different pictures guides of orchid substrates but have not seen this green mossy stuff in any of them.

And, does my orchid need to be repotted or is it fine as is? The pot seems to be a little bent out of shape/bulgey to one side but I can't tell if there is too many roots in there or if one of the roots is just really strong and bending the plastic out of shape.

And should I be misting the leaves?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read all this and helping me out :)

Pictures:

{{gwi:184152}}

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Comments (11)

orchidnick
12 years ago
It looks healthy and happy. Give it a turkey baster full of water once a week. Every two weeks add a little fertilizer, half of the strength recommended. Any fertilizer will do, does not need to be specific for orchids. lots of light but no direct sun, a little air movement if possible and all should be well.

The only problem I see is that the last 2 leaves are smaller than the previous ones implying it did not receive good care. New leaves should be at least as big, if not bigger than the old leaves. If you look after it well, your next leaf should be bigger and subsequent leaves should be at least as big as the largest ones on the plant.

Nick
Katty4
Original Author
12 years ago
Well I went and bought orchid fertilizer anyways so I already have it, should I use the orchid fertilizer at half-strength too or is it already diluted?

I didn't even notice the leaves thing, I just figured that the leaf was still growing or something but I guess not.

Any idea on what the moss is?

Thanks
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orchidnick
12 years ago
Normally they grow in sphagnum moss but this looks like green moss which retains much less moisture. That could be the reason for the small leaves. If you can get a small amount of sphagnum moss put the plant in that instead. On the fertilizer, use 1/2 of what they recommend on the label.

The one turkey baster a week formula is for sphagnum moss, if it stays in green moss, soak it completely once a week.

Nick
Katty4
Original Author
12 years ago
Is the sphagnum moss used for orchids the same as the sphagnum peat moss that comes in the big bales and looks like dirt? I ask because we have a whole bale of peat moss in the garage.
orchidnick
12 years ago
No, you want high quality New Zea-land Sphagnum moss. I don't know if you can buy a small amount anywhere. Best bet would be an orchid grower who probably has a bunch and would sell you a small amount. If you were in LA I would gladly give you enough for one plant. Check with your local orchid socie.

If you do switch to SM, care is totally different than in bark. You don't soak it in the sink once a week, the baster once a week is plenty as the SM retains a tremendous amount of water. At the same time you never want it to get totally dry either so if it's super hot in your area you might need a little more water.

Nick
Katty4
Original Author
12 years ago
Should I switch out the substrate for sphagnum moss soon or just wait until the plant needs a repotting to do so?

Is this the type of moss?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_63195-1300-5045_0_?productId=3036805
or this one?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_139450-83666-0110_0_?productId=3013230

Thanks for your help
Katty4
Original Author
12 years ago
Hmm... I was looking at the orchid today and I pulled out the bamboo skewer to see how moist things were. The stick is still very moist and there is a tiny bit of fuzzy mold starting to grow at the top of the moisture-line on the bamboo stick. It's been a week since I've watered. Is that normal?
jane__ny
12 years ago
I like to cut slits or holes in those plastic containers to allow more air to the roots.

You can mix some sphag with small bark chips to open the mix to more air and allow it to dry faster. It really depends on your watering habits and environment. In a drier climate, sphag alone should work.

I have never had luck with straight sphag. I like to mix in bark chips.

The Sphagnum in your post doesn't appear to be New Zealand. I think Home Depot sells sphag or you can buy it online.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kellys
orchidnick
12 years ago
It's the second moss. I have no idea what 'Orchid Moss' is. I would not repot it at this time,it's blooming, the roots look OK, just look after it for a while and see what the next leaf looks like. The moss it's in retains less moisture than SM so water it once a week and re-evaluate the situation 2 to 3 month after the bloom has faded. If the next leaf looks OK keep going as is, other wise change to a different medium.

Benign neglect works best for orchids, this one looks happy enough, leave it alone.

Nick
Katty4
Original Author
12 years ago
Uhm... it's been almost two weeks and the bamboo skewer is still wet. There is even more mold growing at the top of the stick. It's weird, because it's been hot lately too. Should I be worried or just keep on waiting however long it takes to dry?
orchidnick
12 years ago
If the roots which are visible through the clear plastic look healthy green and happy, you are on the right track.

Nick

Orchid Noob... Questions, and am I on the right track?

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