new to the orchid world

[tonyb]

Hi people, as of this week I am new to the orchid world. I just rescued two white orchids (having white flowers anyways)from friends who bought them, nearly killed them, and were going to throw them away. But being a sucker to anything looking ill, I gladly took them. Now the task of trying to save them. So with the help of my new internet orchid saving friends, I will gladly take any and all advice.
And probably the first thing I should start with is to get them out of what they were purchased in, glass vases with a mixture of rock, soil and moss and no drainage. So as you can see I need help from the very beginning.

[MSPProductions]

Welcome to the site! You'll get so much great info here.

[Tobi]

Hi and welcome to the forum Tony. The first thing we should establish is
what type of orchids you have. When and if you are able to post a pic,
would be helpful for starters. I'm guessing you may have 2 Phalaenopsis
since these are readily available but a general ID would help.

[evagentry]

wellcome there are alot of people here who love to rescue sad orchids, one just rescued 18, maybe he will read this and give some advice.

[Vivienne]

Agreed - there are many rescuers here and I think most of us have rescued at least 1 plant. Pictures are always helpful.

Welcome!

[PhalPal]

Hi tonyb and welcome to the forum! I'm guessing you have phals also just because they are everywhere around here. A good description of pictures will help greatly. You are right, get them out of the vases they are in. Many, many options for what to plant them in, cruise the forum to get some ideas of what will work for you. Drainage is extremely important. What you choose will depend a lot of how you plan to grow them, i.e. inside on a windowsill, outside on a patio??

Beware! I started my orchid hobby by rescuing a few phals from the dumpster at work!

[orchid_girl]

Welcome to the forum and the rescue center for neglected orchids....LOL!!!