old orchids from moms house

[whereisrick]

My mom had orchid in her backyard for 40 years. When she passed and we sold her home. I dug up the orchid and brought it to my house as a living reminder of her love of gardening. The problem is I dont know a thing about orchids, what kind it is or how to begin to take care of it. It is sitting in a clay pot in its natural soil. Now what? Bay Area NorCal

[Aleksa]

Welcome!

We cannot tell you much because we do not know what sort of orchid id that. Posting pictures of that plant would be very helpful!


All the best!

[jerrymeola]

If you dug it up it has to have been a terrestrial. Possibly a cymbidium in California.

Terrestrial can be either low light like a Phiaus or bright light like a Cymbidium. Try to get a light level equal to where your mother grew it.

Watering most terrestrials is on the high side, but they like good drainage and do not like to sit in a puddle. Most terrestrial like a good dose of fertilizer when they are growing active.

You will probably have to ask someone local to ID the family for you, but matching what your mother did is the best start.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Welcome whereisrick
As Aleksa said, we'll need to know what kind it is. A picture can help identify it, but you'll need to post another 4-5 times I believe to post it. You can also go to the AOS website: AOS | Home
If you look at the culture sheets, you might be able to tell what you have by comparing how it looks to the pictures of the types of orchids.