Software
Houzz Logo Print
tehya_lovos

First time orchid owner

9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago

My boyfriend's mom bought me an orchid and I haven't had one before. I think I have a general idea on how to take care of it but any tips that you guys have would be useful. It's in a decorative terra cotta pot and the inside pot is like a flimsy plastic material. The roots are all along the sides and one is popping out of the bottom. I know with most plants this means time to repot and I assume for this plant it's the same? I tried uploading pictures but it isn't working for some reason so when it does I'll update.

Comments (5)

  • 9 years ago

    Don't repot yet. You are in a warm climate and can repot after the flowers fade.

    Looks like you are doing a good job watering as the plant does not look overwatered. Remember, these plants grow attached to trees with their roots exposed to the air. They do not grow in the ground like other plants. Their roots will die if they stay too wet and do not get air.

    There is so much information online. Just Google Phalaenopsis Culture and you will find tons of information online.

    A good place to learn basic culture about your plant is here: http://www.aos.org/orchids/culture-sheets/novice-phalaenopsis.aspx.

    It would help us to help you to know what State/Country you live, how often you water and what type of light/sun is the plant getting. You can wait to repot after the plant finishes flowering.

    Jane

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you Jane. I live in California, usa. I got this plant today so I haven't watered it yet but I've read to water when the roots are silvery. I set in a west facing window, there is bright light when it's not cloudy outside and there won't be any direct light.

  • 9 years ago

    Repot before the end of summer (the flowers may last until then) even if the flowers don't drop by then. You can repot into that terracotta pot IF it has a drainage hole. If not, you'll want a pot with drainage and an orchid bark mix that you have soaked in water for at least 24 hours prior to repotting. You will want to take all that moss out (gently) and tuck the bark in and around the roots in it's new pot. You will water more often with the terracotta pot and bark. While it's still in the moss, only water when the whole thing is dry and crunchy (every 1-2 weeks depending on humidity).

    Tehya (Zone 9a) thanked suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)
  • 9 years ago

    Good advice from suzza.

    Jane

  • 9 years ago

    As far as light, place close to a bright east window or sit it back (1'-2') from a bright west or south window. If possible, they like an outside eastern exposure when temps stay above 55-60 day and night. Ease them into the outside light if you go this route or they will sunburn.

    As far as repotting, if it seems to do well in the spaghnum media it is in currently, when repotting I would pull it from that clear pot and put it in it's new drainable pot (@1"-2" in diameter bigger than current pot) by just adding spaghnum to fill in around the sides. If it is not thriving, then I would remove most of the spaghnum and replace with a bark mix or something else that would work for you. Watering spaghnum when crunchy works for me, just don't let it stay crunchy for more than a couple of days.


    Good luck,


    Bob

Sponsored
Industry Leading Landscape Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio