orchid killer

[orchidprincess]

I just got another phal and I really dont want to kill this one too. I got my first one in july and did a great job overwatering it. This time Im trying to be very careful not to over or under water it. I know not to due the ice cube thing but how exactly should I water it? I have been using a spray bottle but my blooms are starting to look wilty, its only been a week. Do I soak it? how long? let it drain? keep it in the clay pot?....clearly Im a beginner who needs some pointers

[fred]

First of all welcome to the forum
nice to have you with us

this link will help you to understand the culture of a Phal AOS | Phalaenopsis

sounds like you may have bud blast caused by the change of conditions from where the phal came from to the conditions at your place.

what are the leaves like on your plant a picture would be very helpful

please feel free to go to our introduction section and introduce yourself to all of our wonderful knowledgeable 'geeks"

[Blueszz]

Hello Orchidprincess,
welcome to the forum!

When I'm in doubt if I should water or not, I like to use a thin wooden stick that I stick in the middle of the pot. When I think the orchid needs to be watered I take the stick out of the pot and feel with my lip how cold and moist it is. I use my lip because this skin is realy sensitive.
For a Phalaenopsis I water only when the stick looks dry but stil feels a bit cold.

Once you know the routine it's easy to tell in other ways if it should be watered or not: when the roots turn silver-ish and you can't see any moist beads on the inside of the pot, it could be time to water. Also the weight of the pot is an indication when to water or not.

I prefer dunking the pot and once in a while I let water run thru to pot so that I can flush away build up salt deposits. On the other hand, during winter I can't dunk the pot every time, the medium would stay too wet for too long. This also depends on the medium your plant is in.
In a fresh bark only medium for instance, I can dunk a plant during the winter months with each watering. Is the medium older or holds some moss, I can't dunk, it would hold to much water.

Nicole

Edit added link Skewer use for watering of orchids http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...f-orchids.html

[CharliesAngel51]

orchidprincess, I have my Phals in plastic pots. It helps to see the moisture in the pot. I also use the skewer method for checking the moisture. A link to instructions for this was listed above. I put a wooden skewer in all my plants when I get them. I leave it in all the time. After taking it out to check to see how moist it is, I try to put it back in the same hole. If your plant is in a bark mixture it will dry faster than if in Sphag. I have no luck with Sphag. It is sure death for me. I can't seem to keep it from staying too wet.

Hope this helps.

After you have posted 5 posts you can post pictures of your orchid. Everyone on this forum loves pictures and it makes it easier to see the problem.

You will love this forum. Lots of friendly , helpful people. Before I joined this forum, I too was an orchid killer. Now with all the help and advice I get here I am managing to at least keep them alive. Fingers crossed and knock on wood.

Good luck.

Margaret

[tizzycat]

take a look at this thread.................

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

It's an excellent way to monitor when to water.

Welcome to the forum.

[tizzycat]

Sorry I think I just repeated what another geek said.

[fred]

nothing wrong with a warm welcome Chris plus you have shared the link
no need to be sorry at all

[labney]

Welcome...when you mist I don't think you should get the flowers wet and I use the skewer method....works well..or I would of been a killer..lol

[Tarad]

Welcome to the forum! I took have mine in plastic pots as I like to see whats goin on in there Now that you have linked up with this site the rest will be easy and you will be lovin and keeping your phals alive for a long time! Tara

[orchidprincess]

Thanks everyone for all the tips! I now have scewer in my pot and will keep it there. By the way my phal is in a bark media and I am unable to attach a picture at this point. It came in a clear plastic pot inside a clay pot(both have holes in the bottom) I live in Maine where we have 7 months of winter and lots of snow! my house it warm but not super dry.
About watering? From what I gathered from the links given to me I should let water run through it plastic pot and all and let it drain out then put it back in the clay pot and return to home? please correct me if Im wrong.

[tizzycat]

Orchidprincess, the warm but not super dry should = some humidity. The best thing to do is to take things slowly (if that's possible) and see what grows well for you in your conditions. Look on the culture sheets to see what conditions are needed for the different types of orchid and take it from there.

[Blueszz]

Originally Posted by orchidprincess

About watering? From what I gathered from the links given to me I should let water run through it plastic pot and all and let it drain out then put it back in the clay pot and return to home? please correct me if Im wrong.

You are right, this is a good way to water but make sure the medium dries out fast enough. You don't know yet what type of medium is in the middle of the pot, the only way to know is by taking it out of the pot or digging with the skewer (carefully!). I've had orchids that seemed to be potted in good bark, but had a ball of decayed sphagnum moss around the roots, causing root rot in the middle of the pot.
Sometimes the medium on top looks pretty good, but is decayed in the center of the pot. Decayed bark is compacted and dries out slowley, besides the roots will suffocate.
When you water and the pot gets super super heavy, be allerted. The center of the pot might hold sphagnum or decayed other medium.

[orchidprincess]

Thanks for all the help, My phal is looking good and its been abother week.

[orchidprincess]

Hi experts,
I wanted to ask you because you all seem to really know whats up with phals I moved mine across the room last week and realized it had probably been getting too much sun in its new spot, I moved it back but now two days later it has lost all but one bloom. It has been in bloom for almost 3 months, do you think the blooms were just done blooming or a product of too much sun?
and what should I do to make my phal bud again?

[PhalPal]

Phal flowers last from two to six months in my house. If you move them, some have a tendency to drop buds or flowers. I think yours have just reached their lifespan. Once you find a place that your orchid likes (ie is not failing!) keep it there.

To add to the watering suggestions.....When you water really drench all of the media and then drain it. This is not 'overwatering.' Overwatering is when you water your plant too frequently. In nature orchids get a torrential downpour of rain and that is what you are trying to mimic. A lot of new orchid ogrowers want to water like you would a houseplant with little sips of water more frequently and this method is certain death to an orchid.

Most phals bloom once a year, some two or three in perfect conditions and if it is in their genetics. When all of your flowers drop off the current spike we can walk you through how to trim the spike to give you the best chance of another flowering from the same one.

and Welcome to the forum!!!

[Plucky Purcell]

Welcome and good luck!

I keep my phals in clear plastic pots and sphagnum moss on the window ledge in my bathroom. It's a west facing window so my plants get full sun for the first 4 hours in the morning. They are both in spike right now, so they seem to like it.

[Rachel the Truth]

Moss is a sure death for me too

I didnt know about the skewer trick!

Welcome Orchidprincess!!!!

Phals need love but not too much!

Make sure to post some pictures!

[oncidiumlover]

Welcome!! It's nice to meet another phal killer! The first one I purchased I killed in just over two weeks. It was potted in sphag, I watered once a week like the vendor suggested. The crown and roots rotted away, the leaves became limp. It was heart breaking. My very first orchid. good thing I decided not to give up.
I purchased a phal from lowes, thinking it wasn't very expensive, so if I killed it too, it wouldn't be too bad. This one is potted in bark in a clear plastic pot, and I love it!! You can see the roots through the pot, when they turn from green to silvery white it's time to water! I've had it for months now and it's still blooming!
I can't wait until I can repot all of my orchids in clear pots, it takes away alot of the fear and doubt about watering.
Good Luck! Can't wait to see a pic!