First Time Orchid Owner

[Orchid Lover]

Hi -Like so many of you I'm new to orchid growing. I know so little and look to all of you 'seasoned' growers for assistance. Watering advice would be most appreciated in additon to what type of pots you use. I've see types with cutouts for better air flow but also see plain ole plastic pots being used.

[fred]

hi
welcome to the forum Orchid Lover
to give you the right advice can you please go to your UserCP and update your Profile with your Location so we can understand your growing conditions as we have members from all over the world with different growing conditions.
also you will need to let us know what species of orchid you are talking about.
then we can guide you in the right direction

[articuno75]

Hi Orchid lover and welcome to the forum!!! Nice to see a fellow Hoosier on board!

[BunnytheOrchid]

Hi Orchid Lover!
If you check out the American Orchid Society website, the culture sheets on each orchid will give you some idea of watering routines and potting, etc.

American Orchid Society

As fred said, we'll need to know what orchids you are growing before we can help you with watering and other care. The AOS will also help you identify what you have if you're not sure. I hope you enjoy it here, and keep us posted on how everything goes!

[Orchid Lover]

Thank you all for your support and warm welcome. I have several Cattleya's and Phalaenopsis and one that I cannot determine from AOS documentation. It has long thin leaves with long stems and bunches of very small fragrant blooms. If someone would help identify that, I would be most grateful! I am so confused with watering and determining what constitutes a 'mature' plant that my head is spinning. I was more comfortable being a first time Mom then I am with watering! I must confess that I purchased a couple Phalaenopsis from Sams club which are planted in moss. Should I repot them when the flowers die down to orchid mix and a more 'breathable' pot? I also have a few Cattleya's that I purchased at our Home and Garden show that are in small 3" pots and very tight. I am planning on repotting those as soon as those blooms die down. In the meantime, here's my plan. Keep the Phalaenopsis damp and don't water until almost dry. The Cattleya's are so tight that I give a little water,with a very diluted fertilizer, every few days. I have some in a garden window which may be a little cool and will move to a more warmer area until Spring arrives. Am I on track?

[tizzycat]

Hi Orchid Lover. Welcome to the site.

You could do a lot worse than try the skewer method. It's a really good indicator of moisture level within the pot, and therefore you can use it on various types of orchid.


Skewer use for watering of orchids

[Orchid Lover]

Tizzycat, Sounds like your tip is used by many who find it fool proof! Thanks!

[Tobi]

Originally Posted by Orchid Lover

Thank you all for your support and warm welcome. I have several Cattleya's and Phalaenopsis and one that I cannot determine from AOS documentation. It has long thin leaves with long stems and bunches of very small fragrant blooms. If someone would help identify that, I would be most grateful!

Hi and welcome to the forum Orchid Lover. Just a guess, but from your
description, it could be a member of the Oncidium alliance. A pic would
be helpful. Check out some of the Oncidiums and see if I looks like your
orchid. Alot of them produce many small fragrant blooms on the inflorescense.