New from Augusta GA

[livvylove]

Hi, I just bought my first orchid, it's a Cattleya. It's very small no blooms yet, I decided to buy a small one so I could see if I could get it to grow blooms and look beautiful and know that if I was successful that I did it.

I also am interested simply because I accidentally killed one of my friends Orchids by watering it. It looked like it needed water because the leaves were dried out and didn't look healty so I watered it and the next day the leaves went from being a green to a bright yellow. I felt so guilty because I thought I was helping it by watering it. So I want to learn how to properly care for one.

So my care for my orchid has just been misting the room once a day and giving the orchid an extra spray from a water bottle with filtered water. I also placed it in indirect light so it will get light but not direct light. It's in the living room so it gets good air circulation as well.

[Sharyn]

Welcome! This is a great forum for learning about orchids and their care. For starters, check out the skewer method for watering. That should help you to learn when your plant needs watering. You might also want to get a copy of a good basic orchid book. Ortho's books are great for beginners.
Then keep asking lots of questions. Good luck with your orchid.

Skewer use for watering of orchids
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...recommend+book

[butt0n]

Hello and welcome! You'll find that you start learning new things every day by hanging out in here! Have fun.

[Aniko]

Welcome to the forum first, than I would kike to warn you: Cattleyas are sun loving orchids and need more light than some others.
But if it's a really young plant, can dry out easily. It's a real challenge to care of it.

As you'll find out soon, different types of orchids have different needs.
Here are some links for start, how to care about your lovely catt:
http://www.brennansorchids.com/cat.html
http://www.how-to-grow-orchid.com/cattleya-orchid-care.htm

[livvylove]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the tips. I am going to check out all the information you guys gave me.

[pikevi]

Hi livvylove.

Welcome to the forum.My anxiety level went down after joining this forum .

[fred]

Welcome to the forum Iivvylove

I hope you enjoy your stay with us.

happy chatting

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Liv, over watering orchids can kill them pretty fast, but not overnight. It probably takes about 3 weeks of overwatering to kill an orchid, and then only really the roots, and dehydration starts from there. The plant may have lost leaves because it was time to lose leaves, or the plant had a new infestation of some bad bugs.

[boxerfan]

Hi Livvylove, I'm new too from Columbia, SC. I started out with 1 Orchid on Easter and now have 4 Phals. I became intrigued after seeing the success that a friend was having with hers. I've been reading everything in sight and agree that the Ortho Books are good, check your local library. Welcome aboard. Lisa

[livvylove]

Originally Posted by Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

Liv, over watering orchids can kill them pretty fast, but not overnight. It probably takes about 3 weeks of overwatering to kill an orchid, and then only really the roots, and dehydration starts from there. The plant may have lost leaves because it was time to lose leaves, or the plant had a new infestation of some bad bugs.

It looked like it was in bad shape so I think I just gave the final blow. But thanks, at least now I don't feel too bad about watering it.

For my orchid I am planning on using the skewer method, I think that might help me with my fear of over watering my orchid.