New to Orchids

[Sandra Hedges]

Hi everyone,
I am really new to orchids, I had a 'moth' orchid bought for me as a Xmas present. It had about 5 open flowers and 5 buds.
Since Xmas day it has gradually lost all the buds and yesterday the last flower dropped off.

I have followed the care instructions to the letter, it is in a north facing window, daytime temp. of about 21 decrees, nightime about 18. relative humidity around 44%. I have stood the plant pot on a wet pebble base to try and increase the humidity.

I don't know what else I could have done, and indeed what do I do now to try and get another flower spike.

I am hoping someone out there may be able to help me.

I live in Suffolk in England. The temperatures I quoted are of course celsius

[digitalgate]

well come! First you must have patience with your orchids. Normally Phalaenopsis bloom
once a year. If you get twice a year you are very very very lucky. It also depend
on the area that you are in. So i can't give you any advise unless you can update your
profile.

[jerrymeola]

Do not get discouraged. You did not do anything wrong. When an orchid is moved it can react poorly to the change in conditions.

Your plant moved from the growing nursery (probably 2 day shipment by Fed Ex or harder on the orchid 2-3 days by truck), then from a wholesaler to the retailer. If the retailer was a florist or worst a big store like WalMart or Lowe's their care is often poor. Orchids from a nursery that specializes in orchids will be better quality. Then the plant moved to your home.

Each move changed the conditions of the plant and a stressed plant will drop its buds and flowers as a survival instinct.

Phals bloom once a year after the temperature drops into the 50s at night. It is the temperature drop that initiates the flowers. Take care of it and it will reward you with longer lasting flowers next year.

[robb]

Hello, welcome to the forum!

First, no need to panic, flowers dropping off is quite normal for a Phalaenopsis that has reached the end of it's blooming period (usually 1-2 months). The fact that you had some unopened buds drop off would indicate to me that the plant recently experienced a big change in it's climate/culture, usually a big dose of cold. Even just carrying a plant from the store to the car could cause this, so it is unlikely to be your fault!

Second, your culture (light, heat, etc) sounds good. North facing, reasonable temperatures, but what is your watering schedule and method? I have found this is the hardest point to fine-tune, as it is easy to over/under-water the plants due to the strange potting mediums used.

The only thing you can do to get another spike, is continue providing the proper care as you are, fine-tune your watering, and have patience, you will be rewarded

[PhalPal]

Did I misread something or did she say temp range 21 to 18 degrees??? If your phal is that close to a window so cold it is not happy with the temperatures. In winter your orchid can stand a southern facing window depending on where in the world you are. It would be greatly helpful to update your profile to let us know where you are growing your orchid Sandra. (click on your name and edit profile)
And welcome to the forum!!!

[snowballsarebad]

PhalPal, Sandra likely meant Celsius, which would put it right around 70 F.

[rmt135]

Welcome Sandra to forum.

Do not be disheartened when someone said, “It will bloom once a year.” Just take care of the plant the way it is suppose & it will reward you this year. You will find lots of information in this forum that will guide you in keeping this beautiful plant. Maybe you may even want to try in keeping other orchids?

[Debbie Hayden]

Welcome Sandra, I'm a newbie,too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Phals needed more sun than a northern window can provide. Also, my Phal has bloomed at least three times in 12 months,( if the new spike survives, that is.)

[patlee]

Debbie, What an absolutely adorable avatar

Sandra, I have about fifteen Phalaenopsis in spike right now. It sounds like you are doing everything else right, but mine are in an East window and get 50-60% humidity. The difference is all in location,location,location...

Welcome to the forum--we can help you, but to give you the correct advice, we need to know where you are--Again, welcome aboard!!

[Debbie Hayden]

Her name is Trotter and she is my kitty niece.

[patlee]

Sorry,Sandra--I'm really not trying to highjack your thread! The kittie is just so cute. How old is she,Debbie?

[PhalPal]

Sandra are you from Mississippi and using celsius for your temps???

[Debbie Hayden]

She's about 2 yrs old now. I'm afraid that she's not near as sweet as the picture indicates. She got a baby brother, (an adorable yellow tabby), a while back and it didn't sit well with her.

[Debbie Hayden]

It was 70F in Mississippi, today. I opened the window a little so that my Phal could get some good warm air. Also bought a digital thermometer with a humidity gauge.

[Sandra Hedges]

I live in the South East of England.
The temperatures I quoted are celsius.

I do not have any east facing windows, only north or south, so chose the north to avoid any direct sun.

I have been misting once a week and watering also once a week. Now that all the buds and flowers have dropped, and I have also cut the flower spike down, do I still water and mist as before?

What about feeding with orchid food?

[PhalPal]

Sandra being in England your orchid can take a southern window, especially in winter. I would not mist at all. I know it's fun and makes us feel like we are doing something but it can cause more problems then it is worth, like fungus. Water when the soil is almost dry but not completely. The link below using skewers is a great tool that I still use. Your watering schedule will change on the weather so it's not a good idea to pick a schedule to water, like once a week. If you want to fertilize, you can use any plant food diluted in half of what the package recommends.

[Johnboy]

Hi
i've just brought my first orchid (Phalaenopsis) how often should i feed it? i'm also in the uk with a Northern facing window. With the orchid behind a sun screen.

[rmt135]

Johnboy,

Welcome to the forum.

Patlee,

How many Phal do you have exactly? How about lining up the 15 Phals & post a photo of it once it bloom?

[Tobi]

Hi Johnboy and welcome to the forum. If you would like to start a new post and
introduce and tell us alittle about yourself, that would be great.

[Johnboy]

Hi,
Yeah sure i will do it tomorrow after colleage as i'm trying to get a Essay finished...