New Orchid owner, questions :)

[braunna]

Hello!

I've had this orchid for almost one year...it's had large bloom of about 3 stems and has since been inactive. I've cut back the stems to about a 1/2 inch and haven't seen any growth in about 3 months. I have the one stem off the side but I don't know if it's viable...dark on one end...the top is light green.

I water once every two weeks with two ice cubes...just let them melt...the vendor told me this was the way to water....not so sure....

Can you give me some advice, is it healthy looking, is the growth something I should keep or cut off...other thougths...advice? Thanks so much!

[bellini girl]

to OB. Couple of things ...first off, read the thread "The Phal Abuse Stops Here" losts of advise re growing Phalenopsis orchids. The ice cube thing is a no no, just a gimmick . You water with room temperature water, when plant needs it and according to your growing conditions. Others will chime in I'm sure with advice

[bedtimestorm]

Hello there. I'm still learning myself but from what I can see, your orchid is putting out a new leaf. Congrats! It will gradually get bigger in time.

[OCRC_Dir_China]

Let it keep growing, stop the ice trick. If you water it correctly and feed it, give it shaded light and a temperature difference at night, you have to make it happy before it will reward you with a flower.

[Vanda lover]

I agree. Ice cubes are a good way to kill and orchid.

[magicatt]

I see your phal is in a clear pot. Take the pot out of the cache pot. If the roots are silver/grey your phal is thirsty. Take it to the sink and drench the pot with tepid (not hot) water till it runs through the bottom for a minute. Look at the roots again. They should be green. Wait until they turn back grey to water again. Search the board for fertilizer advice.

[DavidL_MO]

Yeah - the Ice Cube firm drives me nutso!

Can you imagine in the wretched conditions of Malayasia or Borneo or wherever the Ice Delivery man driving around and delivering 2 - 4 ice cubes per Phal? Where the orchids grow there is NEVER any freaking ICE!!!!!

Good GRIEF! One does not have to be a rocket scientist to realize HOW FREAKING BAD this has to be for the poor Phal!

And yeah - it IS a marketing gimmick and a pee poor one at that!

Sure - it is easy...but at what cost of breaking in a new owner to what has to be one of the WORST methods of watering an orchid.

...sigh...

[braunna]

Thanks for all the great advice, will definately stop with the ice.

One more question, the stem growth on the right, is it alive...seems brown for part of the stem and the tip is sort of green...should I leave it or cut it...thanks

[DavidL_MO]

Leave it alone for now. Right? or left? That Phal looks to be in pretty good shape. From what I see, that growth appears to be a new leaf.

[braunna]

Right side of the picture...thanks i will leave it alone and see what it does. Thanks!