Thanks Jehannette--This is helpful and familiar. There seem to be quite a few of us who take home the left overs at big box stores and sometimes get lucky w/them. I wonder if this merits a thread or running discussion of methods, when to take them and when not, and what's really a bargain. Sometimes if there's no tag they won't (or don't have authority to) give you a break even on a clearly dying orchid.
Your cultivation sounds a lot like mine a bit further southwest I'm guessing. I've had better luck w/the dendrobiums since I added the moss on top as you describe, though I have to water or at least mist more often to keep the roots on top from drying out too much. I do find that I have to move mine around as the seasons change--we face east and west, and the tree I usually hang them in wasn't enough shade in August and I got burned spots not only on the Phals, but also the dendrobiums! The Oncidiums handled it ok, which is good since I can't move them as easily since they are growing in a hollow log. I tried under ever tree and hanging from everywhere I could reach to water but finally brought them in under the eaves of the house to avoid the strong sun, and then would try to put them back in the tree when it rained.
Mine aren't as gorgeous as some you see here--a few spikes at a time, but they don't take inordinate amounts of time and work which I just don't have many weeks. We'll see--I've only been back at this about a year now.
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