Help with valentines day orchid
 

Hello!
I am new and was wondering how to best help my heart shaped orchid that i received for valentines day.

It was bought from wegmans and is actually two orchids in one pot. They are the phal variety. The flowers are now wilting. It is planted in sphagnum moss in a ceramic type pot with a drainage hole and a tray dish underneath.

I have no real experience with orchids other than buying them and trying to keep them alive.

I know that the bark mix is a better substrate, but im not sure when the best tome to replant is....and im not sure what kind of pot would be best either.

I am also unsure of when the best time to fertilize is...

Thanks for your advice!
Jasmine

:welcomeflowers: Glad you found us!

I have grown Phals in both sphagnum moss and medium fir bark chips. I'm a notorious Phal killer, and for myself at least, have found that putting some styrofoam (a packing peanut or two - white or green ones; and not the cornstarch ones that melt) in the center of the root mass has been helpful.

Sphag holds moisture longer, so need to watch that you don't over water. It also breaks down quickly, so needs replacing annually.

Bark needs more frequent watering in general. New bark will need more frequent watering for the first few weeks. As it becomes older, it will stay moist longer. Bark breaks down more slowly, and should be replaced every two to three years, approximately.

I use plastic pots (drainage is a must!), tho others may use clay pots, or baskets. Media in plastic pots will dry a bit more slowly.

Water when the potting media is very nearly dry. I use a bamboo kabob skewer in the media to check.

:welcome: WhiteRabbit gave you good advice. I would seperate the two Phals and put each in its own pot. Two Phals, the start of things to come! :biggrin:

yup good advice. When the flowers all die back cut the spike down close to the leaves then repot into two pots. Like mentioned you can use whatever medium you want and what you do to take care of them. Some prefer moss, others bark, others in baskets. I mix a bark mixture and moss. For my house and how I water it's what works best for me. I also use those glazed orchid pots with the holes on the sides. The ones I'm getting locally are a decent glaze that doesn't seem to make the roots wilt (some here have have issues with that.) I use my fert at 1/4 strength and use it 3 out of 4 waterings for the most part, when there is heavy growth I use it every time I water. I also add in a tiny splash of seaweed to the water as well.