Bad Medium, Good Intentions
 

Hi all,
I work in a garden center where they sell those mass produced Phals. I have been doing my best to keep down the orchid mortality rate, but I am having trouble figuring out how much to water all the Phals. that are in nasty, rotted, old medium with the texture of used coffee grounds.
These poor things have a bad habit of rotting at the roots and I have to try to keep them looking nice so they can all find good homes before they get past the point of no return. I make sure to tell anyone I sell these orchids to that they must be repotted as soon as they drop their last flower.
Should I only water these orchids when the medium is completely dry? Keep in mind that may take them a couple of weeks after a watering.
Also I was thinking of moving all the bad medium orchids to the outer edge of the display so they get better air flow. Do you think this might help?
Keep in mind I have some major limitations. First I can't repot them. Second anything I do for these plants needs to take minimal time or I get in trouble. :( Third I've taken responsibility for these orchids so they need to keep their flowers and sell or I get in trouble. :((
Lastly, some of the orchids are actually potted in fresh coconut husk chunks. Is this an acceptable medium or should these plants also be repotted after they finish flowering.

Thanks for any help you can give me with this dilemma.
Even an overproduced box store orchid is a terrible thing to waste.

AaronM

Aaron,

I'd let them dry out more, as you suggested, even if it takes a couple of weeks. Since you're around a lot, you will probably see signs of drying in time. Smart idea moving the soggy ones to the edge.
Could you get a returned or floor model of an oscillating fan? This could keep them healthier longer, but it may also blast some buds.
Coconut husk chips (CHC) are ok. They don't break down as rapidly, but might stay pretty moist, so it kind of depends on the type of orchid. Since you are in FL, I'd say that it may stay too wet. I'll let a Floridian answer that one.
I admire you efforts. Those poor underprivileged orchids deserve a home, too! If all else fails, contact the grower/distributor for some info. They may blow you off, but they will probably try to keep their customers happy.

Good Luck!

CHC is fine .. I use it on my orchids without any problems and it tends to hold up longer and doesn't breakdown as quickly as bark medium does ..
Let those babies dry out .. remember they aren't house plant .. they are epiphytes and their roots are made to take in air .. when you suffocate them, with the addition of a constant wet medium .. rot does result.
You can stick and leave skewers in to the medium to test for moisture. If the stick is damp or cool to the skin on your face .. wait another day .. check again and then water or fertlize ..
You can let phals go without watering longer than you'd think .. they are quite hardy ..

Thanks you two. I will continue to keep as close an eye as I can on these orchids and hopefully get a handle on the problem. I just wish I had some control over what the growers send. The decorative pot they send some of the plants have [B]NO DRAINAGE![B] I don't understand why anyone would put any plant in these types of pot but to do it with orchids seems just plain stupid.

Take care all.

AaronM

Aaron - they want to make it 'pretty' for people to buy ;)
When you deal with orchids vendors who truly care and understand their plants, they provide the correct mounting or potting for them :nod:

If I had my druthers, my store would buy there orchids only from one of the local vendors. I am also going to ask the person in the department who does the ordering to stop getting orchids that come in non-draining pots.

AaronM

Hang in there Aaron,

I visit the box stores and somehow find myself quietly dumping out extra water in the "Pretty" pots so the poor Phals don't drown. You keep up the good work and stay out of trouble with mgmt. Most employees aren't as smart about orchid care as you are.

Lorraine

I give up!!! Between the vendor who comes in and splashes the orchids with a hose two or three times a week (after I asked her to leave them alone) and my coworkers who do the same when the mood strikes (after I asked them not to) :(( , I can't begin to do anything for these poor orchids :( . Add to that a grower who sent us Phals in POTTING MIX, and I realize all I can do is try to sell orchids faster than my big box store can kill them.

Thanks all for the advice.

AaronM

Aaron, I was in retail for a good number of years and I'm afraid you are fighting a losing battle. Do the best you can and "let it go".
Please take this advice as it was given, with the best of intentions. In life, sometimes you just have to give in to keep your own sanity. :shock:

AL

Aaron, Al is right. You are fighting a losing battle:_( Let it go. You are one person in a corporation of many. Do what you can but follow your job description. Your job is most important. Lots of phals don't make it and as much as we know how to care for them won't change that fact. Enjoy the beauty they give you while in bloom and let it go when they give up too. Keep your sanity, smile and don't forget the rest of the plants need some TLC too.:D