Is this ok?

[MoonlessNightx]

I got a phal yesterday from Home Depot. I am completely new to orchids. After doing some research online I realized that I needed to get my baby's roots out of the tightly packed (and extremely soaked) moss and tiny plastic cup it came in. I wont be able to get any real orchid potting mix until tomorrow so I copied my MIL's orchid.

I went through a bag of regular potting soil and took out all the large pieces of bark. I mixed that with a little bit of the moss, put some sea shells in the bottom of the terra cotta pot, put some of the bark/moss mixture in and then put in the orchid and put in the rest of my mix. There wasn't quite enough so I topped it off with little pebbles and tiny sea shells. Is this going to be ok for a bit or do I need to go buy a bag of orchid mix tomorrow? It's pretty airy around the roots, but I feel like it's not enough.

Sorry if this seems like a very stupid question but I'm very new at this and wanted to make sure these things were fine to use for now.

[digitalgate]

nOoooo, that would be the last thing you do. You better wash away all the bark and put the moss back. Once contaminated with soil based fungus or bacteria. The plant will go down hill from there. Some one here will post the link for cultural sheet from AOS.

[Daethen]

And seashells usually mean salt and orchids don't like salts. You did right by getting on here and no question is stupid unless it is unasked.

[MoonlessNightx]

Does it make a difference that I boiled the shells and bark to steralize the mix? Or does it really not matter? Either way I am going to get a real mix today I was just curious. Thank you for your replies. I've become very attached to my orchid and I don't want anything bad to happen to her. Also on the tag it says Phal, Belle. Is that a particular species of Phal? I couldn't find any info online.

[Dendian]

I think boiling everything was a good idea - you probably saved your plant from getting that fungus. Still - getting a good mix is a good idea - it will need to be rinsed and soaked for awhile before you put your plant in it. Phals can survive without media for awhile if needed - just keep some of that moss next to where the roots are and keep it damp. I have even used a paper towel for a day if needed.

Your name tag is not complete... there is no Phal. Belle - and the capitalization indicated that this is a hybrid - not a species. Can you see if there were any other words? I have seen a few tags that the words got wiped off of -and without the full name you will never know its real name - and it will be become a beloved NOID.