(1) By sleeve, do you mean a plastic container that just sits inside of the clay pot, such that you can take it out of the clay pot easily with the container? If so, then as long as the plastic sleeve also has a hole at the bottom, leave it in the sleeve. Removing it would generally count as "repotting," depending on how you do it, and you should not repot the orchid while it's blooming unless it is necessary. You should definitely repot it when the bloom finishes, but not until then.

(2) If the orchid is going to get a lot of direct sunlight on the windowsill, it might not be the best place. Phals like bright light, but it shouldn't be direct sunlight.

(3) I wouldn't worry about feeding it for now. Others may disagree. A good time to start feeding it will be once the blooms finish and you repot it. There are orchid fertilizers you can purchase that you blend in with water that you use to water the orchid.

(4) Orchids like to be moist but not sitting in water and not dry. I assume it's potted in mossy medium--water it when the top of the medium is starting to feel dry. Run water on the medium (keep it off the leaves). For a 3" pot, I expect you shouldn't need more than 1/4 or maybe 1/2 cup of water per watering. Use your judgment--you should get the medium moist but not completely soaked. If you have experience with houseplants, generally phals will require less water than you expect.

(5) DO NOT MIST IT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

There are tons of pretty decent guides available on the Internet about phals.

Oh, and I recommend watering in the morning. This way, if you get water on the leaves, it dries off during the day when it's a little bit warmer. Also, it just makes sense to water in the morning, just before the plant becomes active due to receiving light.

noid = no ID = it didn't come with any identification

It's best to water your orchid when the roots look silvery grey do not let water sit in the pot this will cause root rot. Don't remove the plastic sleeve (pot) it will provide the plant ventilation which is very crucial in growing orchids. I recommend you to not place it in the windowsill that may be too much sun they don't like direct sunlight it's best to put them in bright shade. You don't have to feed your phals till the blooms drop and after repotting. Do NOT most your orchids and if you get water between the leaves of the orchid dry it off as best as you can with a paper towel misting or leaving water between the leaves or on the crown of the plant can cause crown rot (number 1 killer of orchids) or leaf rot. Hope this will help you grow nice and healthy orchids. :)

Or it did come with an ID ..that was totally wrong. Looked official-ha.

I also just bought my first orchids from TJ's. Bought one and then went back for 2 more. All Phals I think. All in clear plastic pots (hole in bottom only) inside terra cotta pots. I have seen lovely glazed pots with holes or slits on the sides marketed as orchid pots. Are these beneficial? Should there be holes in the sides of the clear plastic pots too for added ventiliation? Will not be repotting any time soon but wanted to know about the best "inner" pots for future.

Locations - 1 in my office with south facing windows, not in window but lots of light, 1 on screened in porch, bright shade and 1 on north facing window sil.

A friend brought me a mini phal, it was very healthy. I was terrified because it was my first orchid. It's a year old now, still very healthy and sending up a flower stalk. Your going to love watching it grow.

Gigi, phal roots like air movement around their roots. I have made a simple change in my TJ orchids by just gently pulling out some of the moss they are in, to have it more loosely packed (if you're careful, you can do this with some tweezers and barely disturb the roots). Once relieved of the bulk of the soggy moss, they're fine. I've got a few for over a year like this. I use a spray bottle to evenly and thoroughly wet all of the roots, then give a week or so to completely dry out. They're finally outgrowining the pots, but they have all rebloomed for me.

Should you choose to put them in a ceramic pot with holes (I would use a bark mix in that type of pot), they will also be pretty happy, but you may need to water/soak more often. The good thing about these pots is that it will be fairly impossible to overwater it, as it will drain and dry out pretty quick. I soak them once a week, then hit the top with a spray bottle pretty heavily now and then. Again, very happy to be there.

The smallest one has a lot of moss but the two larger do not seem to have any moss in the pots only wood bark chips

Gigi, if you know where Duke Energy is located there will be an orchid show Feb 17, 18, 2017 coming up and you can visit and see 2 displays of orchids and we will also have a local vendor selling some plants.

Just cut a hole in the bottom of the plastic sleeve and water when almost dry. You don't say where you live. You need to provide more info such as location. light, temps etc. What is the exposure of your window? Does it face East-West?

Jane

Ventilation holes do help with root health but in a small ish pot it should be alright with holes on the bottom. These plants do need a lot of air/oxygen around the roots. Whatever you do, don't fall into the trap and over water it. It is better to be dry for a few days than be kept too wet as the roots can die easily. Waiting for the roots to go silver is excellent advice and never water on a schedule. The leaves can scorch surprisingly easily in the middle of the day especially in summer, so just give it a nice bright area and if you want to increase the light do it gradually so it can adapt. East and west windows work well because they avoid that high intensity light at the middle of the day. As a blooming plant they do enjoy some light sun landing on them, but feel the leaf and if it feels warm to you then move it back. If the leaf is still cool, you're fine.

Thanks tiarella - I have put it on my calendar and now that I have shown I can get orchids to rebloom I am ready for some shopping!!!!!