Amabilis orchid

[BARCHEE]

HELP....new to growing orchids, received one in Jan. as gift....water once a week, received 2 new flowers, now they have all wilted and dropped off. WHAT DO I DO NOW...HOW DO I CARE FOR MY ORCHID? ANY SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED.

[englandfx]

You have to be careful about watering. This is a major reason why most orchids die. If the orchid receives too much water, there will be root rot, and if the orchid receives too little water, there will be dehydration.

The best way to find out how much water to give it is to first identify what type of media it is in (eg. bark, moss etc.) The temperature of your surronding area also determines how much you should water.

If your orchid is in moss, then watering once a week is acceptable since moss retains water longer than bark does in normal warm weather.
However, if your using bark, then watering it maybe once every 5 days will be good, because bark doesn't retain moisture as much as moss does. It is always good to pre-soak bark before you use it so that it can hold in more moisture.

One way to be assured of when to water your orchid is to use the 'skewer method of watering.' This is where you take a bamboo skewer and place if down into the potting media. When you take out the skewer and it is dry, then you know that it will be time to water. If the skewer is still wet, then your orchid doesn't need watering.

Never expose your orchid to direct sunlight. Or else the leaves would burn.

It is natural for the blooms to fade away and die if they have been opened a certain amount of time (eg. a few weeks to a few months). However, the blooms will die pre-maturely if you have exposed it to a drastic temperature change for a prolonged period, or if you have suddenly switched the fertilizer brand that the previous grower was giving it.

[kmarch]

englandfx, I understand and applaud the desire to be helpful but before discussing ANY cultural recommendations or advice, we first must determine what kind of orchid BARCHEE has.

BARCHEE, you mention "amabilis." Is it a Phalaenopsis amabilis? Is it white? Did the flower look anything like this:
http://www.clownalleyorchids.com/Orc...l.amabilis.jpg
or this:
http://www.nattsorchids.com/Phal_amabilis.jpg

If so then we probably are talking about Phalaenopsis amabilis. You can find good cultural info on the growing requirements of phals on this forum in the orchid culture section or at AOS | Home.

Watering frequency is a relative thing and depends not only on the potting medium but also on the temperature and humidity. In hot, dry conditions you may need to water nearly every day, but in cool conditions maybe only every 8-10 days.

Give the culture sheets a read and let us know if you have any questions.

[BARCHEE]

Thanks for your response!!! I believe it is a Phal. amabilis....and it grows in the bark medium....but what do I do now that the flowers are gone...do I cut it back or just leave it alone????
Barchee

[Stelios]

some people cut the spike above the second node, so that a new subspike will develope (some times even a keiki- small plant) however others (including me) do not cut the spent spike unless brown. Your plant can grow new buds on the same spike or develop a subspike from a node even without cutting it. I would recomend that you visit the "cut or uncut" thread on a heafty amount of info and oppinions on the matter.

my 2 cents: don't cut it unless brow and if you do make sure you use a sterile knife and spray some cinamon afterwards

[BARCHEE]

Thanks for the info...the stem is turning brown. I did cut about half way down. I'll leave the rest and keep watering as usual. Appreciate the help. What's with the cinamon?????
Barchee

[kip]

cinnamon has natural anti-fungal and anti-biotic properties, and helps keep the plant from getting infected at the cut.

[PhalPal]

BarChee does your pot have drainage holes in the bottom???

[BARCHEE]

Thanks, I didn't know that, and a LOT more...LOL....

[BARCHEE]

Yes, the pot has holes in the bottom....I have glass stones in the bottom....usually take the inside pot with the orchid in and run water through and let it set a few minutes to soak up the water into the bark...the orchid is a white orchid.

[patticake]

That's a very pretty orchid! Here are a couple of links to click on that might help you...

AOS | Phalaenopsis

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

[BARCHEE]

Thanks for the help!!!! I keep watching the orchid, the leaves look good, so for now, I'll just keep watering it once a week and keep an eye on it. . I've been reading as much as I can to learn more. Appreciate your info. Patti. Talk with you soon.
Barb