My First Orchid - Tips

[Evie8]

Hi! Orchids have always been my favorite flowers, but I have never owned one until now. I am really excited, but also nervous because I don't know the proper way to care for an orchid, especially when it comes to watering. I assume that care-taking tips differ for each orchid family, but does anyone have some suggestions for a beginner? The tag says that it is a Tea Cup Orchid. Thanks!

[orchids4me]

Hi and welcome to the forum !!
Tea cup orchid could be a cultivar name or just a reference to size.
What we need to find out is what genera it is like for example a Dendrobium, phalaenopsis, Oncidium..... Then we can direct you which culture requirments for it.

If you post 5 times even if you just put 1 ..2...3 etc in each post to get 5 total you can upload and post pictures. Then we can try to figure out what genera it is for you
See ya back soon

[Ron]

Hi Welcome to the Geeks forum.
Somtimes mini flowering Phalaenopsis orchids are often called Tea Cup Orchids, Table Ladys Orchid etc.
These are wamn growing indoor orchids fairly easy to grow if a few rules are followed.
as Emm say five post then a photo would be nice way to help indentify it for you.
Cheers

[1joyceh]

Hi Evie8
Welcome to the forum, can't wait to see your 'Tea Cup' !

[RebelCowgirl]

Hi and Welcome

[Evie8]

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[Evie8]

Are these okay?

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=w2ocv7&s=5

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2s1xhdj&s=5

[Fishmom]

Hello, Evie8, and welcome to the board! You'll have a great time here, and soon you will probably find yourself thinking "I need another orchid!", as this is a terrific group of enablers!

Your plant is a phalaenopsis, and it looks nice and healthy. The best way to keep it that way is to learn about it's needs. Most people find that the easiest way to kill an orchid is to over-water, so I suggest you get some bamboo skewers (used in cooking) and read this link:
Skewer use for watering of orchids It will give you a way to keep track of how moist or dry your plant is.

Here is a link to a culture sheet for phals:
Orchid Care for Phalenonopis & Paphiopedilum Orchids

You can also find more information at the American Orchid Society website:AOS Culture Sheets

Many people like to repot new orchids as soon as they get them, so they can check the condition of the roots. If you find that your orchid is not drying out within a few days or a week, this is particularly important as the planting medium may be broken down. There is a section on the board on potting that can get you started.

Have fun!

[Ron]

Hi, definatly a mini Phalaenopsis, congratulatios on such a beautiful buy.

[Evie8]

Thanks so much for the info! I have another question. The plant came in a small plastic container inside a pot. Do you think it's a good idea to take it out of the plastic container and put it inside the pot so it has more room to grow? If so, what should I use to surround the orchid? Right now it looks like there is some sort of moss in it, but it's not enough.

[1joyceh]

Beautiful Evie8

[Dendian]

Hello and to Geeks!

Very pretty Phal.

From what I can see in your pictures - the outer pot does not appear to have a hole in the bottom, it looks like a decorative cache pot - is this correct? You will not want to plant it in a pot without any holes - these plants grow on trees without anything around their roots - and the roots breathe too.

If you want to transplant it into a larger pot - I suggest you find a pot with some holes in them so the water won't sit in the bottom - get stale - and smother the roots. I like clear pots so I can see what is going on at the root level, actually see the moisture in the pot, and I get to watch the nice fat green roots.

The pot size is dependent on the amount of roots, not the size of the top of the plant - because too much media and not enough roots means it won't dry enough for air to get into and away from the roots. They breathe - so they can smother if the air gets stale.

The moss it is in can be re-used to plant it if it looks fresh and smells good, for awhile (because it is probably tight planted around in that little pot and would be better loosely packed so air can get in) - but it should be replaced if you decide to grow in moss (some people don't like it) so you know when to replace it again (about a year or two - then it gets old and soggy).

If you decide to plant it in another media (bark, coconut husk, coir (ground coconut) or a mix - there a lots of choices) - make sure to learn the watering routines for that media - the skewer method above is a very good way to make sure you plant has enough water at the root level without being overwatered.

I started with moss for my Phals, and grew them for a few years in moss, I still have some in moss but I am trying a different mix currently to see if they grow better or not. The media you choose will be based on your watering habits - and the humidity, temperatures and light levels where you are growing the plant.

Moss stays wet a long time - and works very well when humidity is low because it raises the humidity around the roots and plant. If you have high humidity it can be too much because it will never dry out. You do have to learn to water only when almost dry - even if that is every 10 days Longer than that is probably too long - and either the moss needs replacement or the humidity is too high - and that's why I am switching some over to a bark/coco husk/pearlite mix.

I know its a lot to learn when you first get into growing orchids - but after the first ten or so it becomes easier...

P.S. You will find you can't have just one Orchid.. they are addictive and being on the Forum does not help....

[Evie8]

Thanks for the tips. The pot does not have holes, but the clear pot inside does. I think I'll try to find a clear pot with holes as suggested and replant it. Is there a particular brand of moss I should buy? I have absolutely no clue where I can find coconut husk!

[GenevaDad]

Welcome