Thinking of getting started

[Wintaker99]

Hello,
I am thinking of getting started in orchids growing as a hobby. I am going to be buying some orchid seedlings soon. I decided to go with Phalaenopsis and
Cattleya.

Can anyone tell me how to grow these two species? Especially with watering, which i heard is challenging.

[Ellen]

Phalaenopsis and Cattleya are good to start with. Both are easy to grow and should bloom under home conditions. Rather than starting off with seedlings, which can take a few years to mature (depending on what you mean by seedling), I would suggest that you start with a blooming Phalaenopsis or two. You should be able to get these at a local Home Depot, Trader Joe's, or similar store for $15 or less per plant. That way there'll be no surprises, you'll have instant gratification, and you can practice taking care of them before moving on to more finicky plants or seedlings. The other advantage of doing it this way is that while you're waiting for your seedlings to grow up, your phals will bloom reliably every year.

And with regard to watering, it's not the watering that's challenging, it's leaving the plant alone until it actually needs water again that's a challenge for most people with just a few plants. Once you get your plants, put a post on the forum and people here can give you more info and answer your questions. Welcome to the world of orchid growing!

[jerrymeola]

Welcome to the forum. Please come back and keep asking questions while you learn.

Ellen's answer is typical of those of use who have owned orchids, it is difficult to wait for them to bloom. As a dealer I find that there are many people who would prefer to watch the plants grow and feel they are willing to invest the small amount of money on a smaller plant rather than a flowering one. The choice is personal and I will not say either is a better approach.

You might have difficulty finding a seeding Phal. Phals go from seed to flower in about 2 years so a seeding is usually only one season away from flowering. Because of this they are usually sold in flower and cheaply.

Cattleyas can take 5-7 years to flower from seed. I want to point out that a seedling cat about 3-4 inches high is probably 3-4 years old already.

A true one inch pot size seedling is 2-3 years from blooming but a 2 1/2 inch pot usually blooms in 12-20 months. There are several species that will bloom in 2 inch pots and as young as 3-4 years old.

You did not list where you are in your profile. I am in SW Florida and grow everything outdoors. Ellen assumed you were growing indoors. The choice of plants varies on where you intend to grow them.

Phals are only indoor plants or total shade outdoors. They will get enough light indoors to flower (but they need a 20 degree day to night temperature drop to set buds).

Cattleyas will grow fine indoors but not flower unless you give them adequate light to develop flower buds. Indoors that usually means pretty close to a sunny window or supplemental lighting. Many people up north who have to have them indoors in the winter put them outside for the summer, then bring them back in to enjoy the flowers when the buds have set.

If you buy Cattleyas to grow indoors look for miniature to semi miniatures that grow to under 8 inches high. They usually flower younger and with less light and take up a lot less room in a home. Space for large mature plants quickly becomes a problem.

[Wintaker99]

Well,
I just bought a new Phal from Trader Joe's yesterday and I love it. The only problem is that when I brought it home, two of the blooms began wilting. Then, this morning, the flowers look dead. The petals are closed. I dont know what happened? Could this be related to a change of condition?

Also, this is another bad question but...
I noticed that the stem around the wilting flowers are completely white. the stems around the newer flowers have hints of green in them. What does this indicate?

[mayres]

Yes, you have replied correctly - change of condition is probable. Some people won't even purchase a plant in bloom because the assume they are going to soon fade in "their" condition. Like you, I have purchased a phal and had it's flowers wilt in a few days. Exact same conditions, where a phal has spiked and flowered from the start in my conditions - 3 months of bloom. I have noticed very warm conditions and very cool conditions especially hard on blooms. Sometimes I think they have been shocked a day or two before you purchase them and they are actually reacting to something PRIOR to your acquisition as well. Just walking a plant outside from where you purchase it, if the weather is especially hot or cold, or hot or cold in your vehicle on the way home - can stress the flowers. You have correctly noted that the flower stems that attach to the spike also tend to fade out as the flower itself fades - another indicator. The challenge and the real excitement is keeping the plant itself healthy and then seeing it spike FOR YOU! Good luck.

[Wintaker99]

Thank you everyone for their extremely helpful comments. I am beginning to learn more about orchid growing and care.

I know I must be annoying you guys with my questions. But I have one more.
As described already, the flowers on the stem are almost dead due to a change of condition. I'm thinking of cutting down the stem and let it rebloom. However, I dont know the position where I should cut it. Also, if I do cut the stem down, how long will it take for it to grow back? I read that if you let the stem on the Phal dry out, it will fall down on its own and eventually regrow. But how long will that take?

I asked so many questions already and I will really appreaciate an answer.
Thanks.

[jerrymeola]

Phals need 20 degree temperature drops to flower. Yours probably set flower buds in February and flowered out for the Mother's day season. You bought it at the end of its flowering cycle. It may have been in flower for months before you got it. It is better to buy a plant in bud or with only one or two flowers open and several closed buds.

You can cut the stem where it has turned white. That portion is dead. You can leave the green portion and hope the plant puts out another flower or two. The stem could also start a new plant called a Keiki (Hawaiian for baby). This is what you mistakenly considered the stem drying out and starting a new plant. Once the stem dies nothing will happen. The Keiki starts when the stem is green

Commercial growers would cut the stem at the base allowing the plant to grow more roots and leaves in advance of the new flowering season. If you prefer to try for another flower or a baby plant feel free to do so. It is a personal preference.