Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

So, I've had this orchid for several years. It was given to me at a funeral, and I've never really been very good at caring for orchids (I do much better with carnivores, even fussy ones). It hasn't flowered since then but I'm pretty sure it was purple, the kind you often see in the grocery store. I'd really like to stop neglecting it, so I'd really appreciate any advice.

[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2680634_n.jpg[/img]

I repotted it as a start, in a light mix of bark and perlite. There was some mold in the old bark, so I left this very airy to avoid that in the future.
Thanks, I'd really appreciate any help, like I said I've never been very good with orchids, and I'd like to learn.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

It a phaleanopsis. Just keep the roots moist but beware of root rot so not too much water. Fertilise once a week with weak foliar fertiliser, granular fertiliser may be used but only a tiny amount otherwise root burn occurs. Requires a "chilling" before it will flower provided the plant is mature enough. Sit the pot in a south facing window. If summer sun is too strong, provide with about 50% shade.

Use to collect this type of orchids till I realise it will only flower for me once a year here in Malaysia (without artificial enviroment). CP is still an easier option as it thrive on neglect. Hehe...

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Aside from what Bactus has already stated.... may I add that only water it
when the media is turning dry.... too avoid overwatering and eventual
root rot. Also keep it in a bright place but out of the suns rays. Also I
would pot it deeper so that those aerial roots are in the media. Good
luck.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Thanks! I'll have to learn about fertilizers now, since I am used to cps they've never played a big part in my life. Is it true that you should avoid using fertilizer with urea on orchids?

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Cant say coz i seldom fertilize my orchids, Im lazy actually so i just put a few pieces of
osmocote in their pot.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Hi Quinn. I honestly don't think urea will do much harm to orchids. The point made when most people suggest using urea-free fertiliser is that microbes are needed to break down urea before it can be taken up by the plant. The roots of your phal don't seem particularly healthy, so I would avoid fertilising it until it has made new roots.

Bactrus, phal violacea, cornu-cervi etc with the zigzaggy spikes bloom whole year round... ;)

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Okay that's good to know, if I take better care of it how long do you think that could take?

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

It'll flower when its healthier and ready, so you have be patient. Thats why I grow my
neps along with my orchids so that when the orchids are not in bloom I still have the
pitchers to admire.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Oh I meant roughly how long does it take orchid roots to grow so I know when to try fertilizing it. I'm also keeping it by my neps =). Honestly I'll be pretty surprised if it flowers any time soon considering I've been neclecting it.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Paphioboy, Yup, species phals bloom all year round and smell nice too. I kinda forgot about them as all my species died.

About microbes, Shawn was asking about tricoderma last year. Wonder where the thread is now... have to search.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Quinn, phals are pretty fast growers. All you have to do is keep it warm and moist. They do NOT like the cold. They should grow well indoors (near a bright kitchen window for example). The only problem I see is I think you're plant is potted kinda 'high' in the pot. New roots might not grow from the exposed stem if the surrounding air is dry. Is it possible to repot the plant and reposition it so that it is sitting lower?

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

This is how low I pot my phal seedlings (front of picture) and to show how fast they grow (3-inch plastic pots):
At the beginning of this year:
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMG_6106.jpg
Recently (they are almost reaching flowering size, should flower next year):
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMG_0075.jpg

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Note: Healthy phalaenopsis roots appear slivery-grey with green or purplish tips.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Those pictures are very helpful! I covered the roots a bit more after I got the first couple responses on this thread, I'll take an updated picture tomorrow, I think though after seeing these pictures that I probably just need to get a deeper pot. I'm using bark and perlite, is that okay or would you reccomend something different?

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Bark and perlite should be okay. Best to use medium-coarse grade bark and perlite as phals have quite thick roots and to prevent the medium breaking down too soon (especially when using a deep pot). If using small bark then water sparingly. Once a week/once every 2 weeks (depending on your humidity) should be enough until it puts out new roots.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Okay, I'll start watering it less, I'm also making sure it stays fairly warm, since it's getting around 35 degrees at night here, it's in my room now which is always at least 60 or so. Do you think I should get a deeper pot? this is after I put more bark in.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7223407_n.jpg

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

??? Do you mean Fahrenheit..? Phals do best between 20-30 degrees Celsius...Which is WARM. The pot is big enough. Is it me or do the leaves look on the yellowish side? Or is it because of the camera flash?

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Yes I meant fahrenheit, sorry I didn't specify >.< our winter is going to be especially cold this year, so I'll do my best but unfortunately our climate is pretty lame. The leaves are not very healthy, but the yellow tone is flash, when I look at them they're green, if somewhat abused looking.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Ok... Keep the phal just moist enough to prevent the leaves from desiccating and to encourage new roots to grow and search for moisture. Water more when the weather gets warmer and you can see new leaves developing.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Okay, thank you so much for all of your advice =)

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Quinn, phals are very fast growers. All you have to do is keep you warm and humid. phalaenopsis roots seem healthy Slivery gray with green or purple tip. It is best to use medium-coarse grade bark and perlite phals have roots and thick enough to prevent the environment breaking early.

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

The roots have definitely grown quickly! Here's an updated picture, I haven't tried fertilizing it yet but I was going to try just putting a couple of Osmocote balls into the bark and see how it goes.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._8207160_n.jpg

Thanks everyone for helping me out =)

Re: Trying not to kill my orchid..
 

Looking good.. :)