Yes, I'm learning...temps where it is kept are 66-70 in the late afternoon, dropping to low 60s overnight. Humidity runs anywhere from 37-40% to 60%, varying throughout the day and depending on what I'm doing. I have seen it climb to 70% or higher, but that is not the norm. Should I be misting??

From what I can see it looks fine. How long have you had it in your home? How often are you watering? Watering until the water flows out the bottom is good, don't be afraid to allow a lot of water to flow through as long as it has a chance to drip dry afterwards. The bottom of the pot should never sit in a puddle of water. Do you open the blinds in summer too? Misting the top of the pot would be beneficial every other day. In summer, misting the leaves in the morning might help it.

The plant looks good to me. I do not believe in misting unless you have good air circulation and warmth. It is not necessary and can cause all sorts of problems.

I think you are on the right track with this plant. Place it in a warm spot and try to gradually increase the light. You can put it near a west window, just pull it back a bit so it doesn't get burned. I grew many orchids well in a SW window including Phals. I would put them in the second or third row from the window.

In March, you can think about repotting, although the pot size seems find but you might want to change the potting media.

Let the plant adjust to your home and environment. Increase light and water when the media feels almost dry. Don't mist.

These are some of my Phals blooming in a West window when I lived in NY. You can see they are behind the first row of orchids.
{{gwi:145690}}

Jane

Jane - I wish I had that much luck with flowers indoors! Those are gorgeous!!! Thank you all for the encouragement.

It's in my kitchen, and I've had it here for just under two weeks. Opening/closing the blind is during the winter/early spring, but as soon as it warms up enough, I usually pull the blind up halfway and the window just stays open, unless it's hot enough to close everything and run the air conditioner. That's why a bit later in the year I'll have to find somewhere else to put it, I think. I managed to kill a couple of African Violets by not realizing how strong the sun comes in on that side of the house. But I want to try lowering and just partially closing the blind first. I'll research what too much sun does to orchids, so I'll be familiar with what to look out for.

As for watering, I've watered it twice since it's been here. I now know that the first time wasn't enough, but the second time, last Thursday, I ran about 1/2 gallon through it then let it sit on the divider between the sinks to finish draining before I put it back on its saucer. That's when two new little roots popped out under the lowest leaf.

That leaf has not recovered and I'm wondering if I should trim it off. It's green but still wrinkled and really floppy. The flower stalk is about 2' long, maybe a bit more, I'm finding conflicting info on whether to cut it off, how much to cut, how much to leave, etc. Can anyone share some insight on both the leaf and the stalk, and what I should do with them?

Lynn

Leave the leaf as it will fall off when it is ready, a slight tug may help. Cut the stalk to within 1/2" of where it comes out of the plant, near the media/moss.

I wouldn't let it get too much colder either.

Good luck,

Bob

Okay, that makes sense. I've done different kinds of plants over many years, and mostly I rely on looking at it, and using common sense, but when I started looking up how to care for an orchid, there was so much contradictory information, I'm not sure if I am intimidated by how complicated the care is, or just plain confused. I think maybe my own concern about doing it "right" might be my biggest hurdle! I'll stay in touch and keep posting pix as things happen, and hope you all chime in when you think I need it!?!

I agree with Bob, watch your temps. If you keep your house cool (below 60) keep the plant drier. Phals like warmth.

Trust your growing instincts. They are usually right. Orchids don't grow in the ground the way dirt plants do. Their roots have adapted to growing in the air, on the sides of trees, hills, rocks. As a result, their roots need to 'drip-dry.' They will die if kept too wet.

But growing them isn't a whole lot different than other dirt plants. You just need to train yourself to remember the difference with the roots.

Some people think Phals are the easiest, but others become frustrated trying to grow them. If you keep your house too cool in winter, you could run into trouble. Wet and cold spell trouble with most orchids.

There are orchids which like cold and damp. If you are interested you can try those.

Bobs instructions regarding the stem is right. The leaf, I would leave it unless it is falling off or looking mushy.

Good luck,
Jane

Thanks, Jane and Bob! I took a deep breath and cut the stem off this morning. I made sure I sterilized my nippers over a flame for a few minutes first.

You are, I think, right on about that leaf. It's not at all mushy, just limp and still wrinkled. I know I still need to feel my way through the watering frequency, but now I'm wondering if I might have a bad root or a couple of them hindering it's comeback.

I can't wait for it to warm up even a little. When it's time to repot, I plan to get a plastic pot. It's hard to tell how wet/dry it is in this clay one. I've read all the info on planting media, so all I have to do is a) figure out what's easiest for me to get my hands on and b) which one sounds best. That, I think, will also be the best time for me to get a really good look at the roots, deeper than I can see from just pulling it out of the pot.

Thanks for all the help!
Lynn

Lynn,

For a small number of orrchids, using the pot weight method (heavy when wet, light when dry) should work to determine when to water. Or for this particular orchid, water when the moss gets crunchy :-)

Clay pots, wet media and a cool room are a very difficult combination for phals. As Jane said, keep it drier if you can't keep it warmer. Phals don't usually like to get much below 65.

Next fall you'll probably want to induce a 10-15 degree drop in day/night temps to initiate new flower spikes on this phal. Can accomplish by leaving a window open at night or leaving them outside until temps drop below 60 at night.

Good luck,

Bob

Thank you Bob. I like the "crunchy" reference. It kind of fits in with the way I check on all my plants. Not meaning that I wait for them to get that way, it's just if you look for them to tell you what they need, they will, right?
The limp leaf - I slid the whole thing out of the pot yesterday, and the moss was pretty dry all the way down, so I watered it really well, not in the pot but through the moss, let it sit till there was no more water dripping, then slid it back into the pot, and this afternoon when I got home from work, it has plumped up, not a lot, but noticeably more than it has since I brought it home. I donâÂÂt have wrinkles and the signs are good! Jane, this is also kudos to your advice, about the roots. I also have a different spot for it, and just need to move some stuff to make room. I understand the temperature needs, and IâÂÂm working on it. The one thing I wonâÂÂt have a problem doing, when the time comes, is getting the nighttime difference. New England is awesome at day/night swings!
I know I could go find a nice, identified, healthy orchid hand-picked for my conditions. But there is something satisfying in bringing this neglected plant home and watching it respond! This is really nice watching it respond, and learning from people who know orchids.

You'll do fine and I'd bet money you get some beautiful flowers this winter. Just be careful because orchids are very addictive. Eventually you will need a 12 step program!

Have fun,
Jane

Yeah, I hear that!

I'm already eyeing the filing cabinets beside my desk, wondering where I can put the stuff on top of them so I can put the orchid there....I mean, it's way warmer here than in the kitchen....and the window has sheer curtains that would be a perfect filter for summer sun on this side of the house.

You found the spot! Just throw the stuff in a box and put the Phal in its new home.
Jane

Well, it didn't go in a box, but "stuff" has been replaced. All the leaves are now up, plump, and apparently happy. This window is closer to the front of the house, too, so it gets less of the late day really hot sun during the summer. If summer ever gets here, that is. I've had enough snow for this year. :)

Lynn

lost the image somehow. Here it is.

Simply loved reading & learning thru this thread & thumbs up to *thedogsLL* a co-newbie to Phals (my dau is also a rescuer of critters) I rescue even weeds!

I have to keep a deft ear to jane__ny about orchids am an incurable plant addict the way it is (outdoors that is) my 2 Phals were gifts 2.5 yrs ago & am already a slave along w/ 2 babies (tree shaped baby Alberta Spruce & Rosemary) that are shedding (drives me nuts) ~ can't wait to bring them out!

Thnx for all the *new learnings* in this thread!!!