Free orchids can be a good find, and yours looks pretty healthy. That is a Phaleanopsis (Phal for short). Also called moth orchids.

Put is at the same level as the African violets (about a foot away?). Orchids need light, but Phals grow in very similar light and temperature conditions to African violets.

Pot bound is good with orchids. Not REALLY pot bound, but with no extra space around the roots. However, that is not the right medium for them. Better would have been the medium it came in which sounds like it could have been sphagnum moss. A good alternative is orchid bark mix which is available at the garden center. You can leave it as is for a bit, just don't water it.

Good find, and welcome to the forum!

Frank

Unfortunately you are going to have to repot it again. Orchids don't do well in potting soil, they can't dry out and the roots can not get air and will rot. Go to the local nursery or even Home Depot and get Orchid Bark mix. Repot in the bark and if you can find a clay pot with holes in the side. Or you can drill a copy of holes in the plastic pot. The wholes are so they will drain and dry out between waterings.

Actually plant does not look that bad and looks like it may have flower spikes on it.

Since you have a Phal, don't lot water lay in the leaves. One of the best ways of watering it to play it safe is to soak it in water then let it drain well.

I had a feeling about the potting mix. It just seemed weird what it was in. I mean, is there supposed to be THAT much air in there? I had never seen a plant potted in something like that.

Okay I fixed it :-) I potted it back up again in what it originally came in. Fortunately i hadn't tossed it in the trash quite yet, so that should be fine now.

It is quite lopsided, as you can see in the pic there are two and a half big leaves missing from one side. Should I leave it as is? Or do something?

The holes in the pot are a good thing, but phals like it a bit wetter so it is ok. I would recommend that you get the bark mix at wal*mart anyway. Most new orchid growers kill their first because of overwatering and to low of light.

Most orchids do not grow in the ground. They hang from trees or rock. Their roots are not adapted to soil, therefore, they need air around the roots or they will rot. There is a simple book about orchids, Ortho's 'All About Orchids' it is sold in big-box stores and on-line.

If you think you will take the plunge into growing orchids, I would highly recommend you buy this book. Also, there are basic growing facts (FAQ's) on the first page of this site. Just be aware, growing orchids can become a terrible addiction.

Good luck,
Jane

Hi, Frank,
I'm fairly new to this forum, but I think I can answer two of your questions that haven't been addressed yet.. and it's yes to both of them:
1) No matter how carefully you centre the plant, it tends to lean towards the light source. The spikes (flower stalks) emerge opposite the light source.
2) Cut the three spikes (stalks) down to the base, so that the plant can concentrate on producing a new leaf and healthy roots. New spikes will develop in good time ( when the plant is ready).
Good luck!
Judy

Thanks Judy!

Can anyone give me an idea of how slow or fast these leaves grow (assuming 12 hours of flourescent light per day with my african violets)? How long do you think it will be until I see some new growth? Also, I'm a little confused with how it will look in the future... each leaf comes up over the previous, it'd seem like it would have to stop sometime or it'd just get taller and taller... how does that work? :-P

Phals are slow growers. Although you are right about their growth habit, that leaves all come from the center in alternate directions forever, this will not be a problem. If you repot every couple of years, you just move it down in the pot. The plant will continue to have about the same number of leaves and the oldest leaf on the bottom will die. Don't get concerned when this happens. If leaves above the bottom-most start to die, then it IS a problem.

Read up on watering. That is where most go wrong. There is an urban legend that orchid should be watered very little. That is wrong, it is that they shouldn't be watered too often. When you water, take it to the sink and run lots of water through it, then nothing at all until the next watering.

The Ortho book is a great one for basic orchid information.

Richard is right about that and I often forget that when I say to not over water I need to be more explicit.

I water about once a week, but when I water I soak the pots in water up to their brim for about 20 min.

As Richard said, new leaves will come from the center of the plant. One day a tiny speck will appear there and start growing. Phals put out maybe three leaves a year, with good light and good care, a new leaf might appear in a couple of months. Growth is much faster in spring-summer than in winter.

When you water, make sure the center (called the crown) stays dry If water gets into the crown, roll up the corner of a paper napkin and wick the water out.

I agree with the others that reading up on phal care is a good idea. For free tip sheets on care for phals, check out the Canadian Orchid Congress and the American Orchid Society websites. Look for cutlure sheets for phalaenopsis.

Good culture notes for beginning indoor growers are also available at BigLeaf Orchids. Click "information" tab across the top.

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