Complete Orchid Newbie!

[HappyBlonde]

Hi all on this site

I would just like to ask what the best way to water and to take care of my

orchid and I just bought it a few days ago.

The variety of orchid that I have is a Phalaenopsis (i can only hope that this

is the right variety) So if anybody has any advice on this matter I would

be most greatful.

Thanks all!

[johnemartin]

See Cynthias' article on using bamboo skewersto determine when to water. A Phal. would be my recommendation for a first orchid as it is possibly the easiest to grow/flower. I have heard and concur with the view that Phal.s do well in the conditions you would grow an African Violet in; an East-facing window, and a pebble-tray to increase humidity or other means of keeping the humidity high.

[mayres]

Besides lots of good information on this forum there are culture sheets on each of the major types of orchids on the American Orchid Society site http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx. You might go here just for starters and read and/or print off the phalaenopsis culture sheets for beginners and/or intermediate. Tons of other places on the web as well and lots of great people here to fill in the "cracks". mike