Bought my first orchid the other day - says it needs "food"?

[Dorothy]

Ok folks .. I must intervene ..
Orchid food and Orchid fertilizer are 2 different things
Orchid 'fertilizer' is limited to N-K-P
Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus
where orchid 'food' contains vitamins, supplements and trace minerals ...
Food can be added once a month ..
Fertilizer can be given with each watering during the growth cycle ...

[agoutihead]

Originally Posted by nutgirl

It looks like it's potted in very saturated moss. It needs to be repotted into something that breathes better. It looks like there are some good roots in there (plump and green), that's a good thing.

The roots above ground are often discolored and shriveled like yours, it's perfectly natural. It's the ones in the moss that you need to take care of. You can take it out of the pot, clean it off, remove any rotten roots and repot into the same pot.

If you can't repot right away, at least watch your watering and make sure there's enough drainage. Don't let it sit in water.

Maureen

Ok I went back to my moms today and she had it filled up again, so I let her know its got to dry.

The soil its in looks dark & rich, so I assume its good stuff, just too wet now?

Or should I try to put other soil in there? Any suggetsions?

Can I completely take the plant & roots out of the soil, break the soil up on a tray and let sit for a day or two to help dry the soil quicker and then replant? Can the orchid take that kind of stress?

[RosieC]

Orchids don't want 'soil'. Check that, orchids like Phals don't want soil.

If the medium is thick with not many air gaps then it will smother the Phals roots and they are likely to rot.

There are a variety of mediums for orchids. I use bark or Cocunut Husk Chips (CHC) mixed with a bit of perlite. If you use bark it should be stuff bought for orchids, not the stuff used in the garden.

Some people like to use sphagnum moss which holds more moisture for dry climates but this can stay too wet for many people and can cause rot if it does.

Ray has some good advise on choosing a medium for your conditions on his website.

Choosing Potting Media

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

Ok folks .. I must intervene ..
Orchid food and Orchid fertilizer are 2 different things
Orchid 'fertilizer' is limited to N-K-P
Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus
where orchid 'food' contains vitamins, supplements and trace minerals ...
Food can be added once a month ..
Fertilizer can be given with each watering during the growth cycle ...

Thanks Dorothy. I've learnt something

[wtamuboi]

I definitely agree that it needs to be repotted into something that breathes better. I couldn't tell, but is there even drainage at the bottom of the plastic cup? If so, I doubt the circulation is substantial.

I admit that I'm biased since I live in Houston (where anything that adds or holds humidity is inherently evil), but I really don't like moss as a media. I think it can work when mixed into a bark mix lightly, but it's entirely too confusing as a media by itself. It appears thoroughly dessicated on top while it's saturated just a few inches below the surface. A good bark mix could do a world of difference.

If repotting isn't an option at the moment, I'd say to at least leave the plastic container by itself (no ceramic pot). That way, the orchid can breathe a bit better and you can see through the clear plastic to get a better idea of humidity.

Gorgeous plant though,

[Dorothy]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Thanks Dorothy. I've learnt something

I learn something new every day ...
and I still know very little

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Dorothy

I learn something new every day ...
and I still know very little

I know that feeling soooo well

[agoutihead]

Ok I'd like to give an update, the orchid was infact NOT in soil, but like mini woodchips or something, so I think it was planted properly.

Also, all of the flowers have since fallen off about 10 days ago. They kind of all fell off within a few days.

Does this sound normal?

Or did it not get enough water, or perhaps because it started getting colder in the back room it was in because of this time of year & it went into shock when I moved it to a warmer part of the house?

I also still have the roots/stalk with no leaves - I should keep this right because it will grow back?

What is the proper way to store/care for these until they are ready to re-bloom?

[orchidsamore]

A couple of things.

You bought a plant that in the trade is considered 'flowered out'. It means every flower bud has opened. You can no longer determine how long the flowers have been open. These plants are discounted heavily at the wholesale level.

When you buy a plant with mostly unopened flower buds you can be sure that the flowers are fresh or have not been open for months.

Phals usually give you 8 weeks of flowers or more. You just do not know if the flowers were 7 weeks old when you bought it.

Since the plant was in a non-draining decorator pot, the water you gave it was collecting and rotted the roots.

Since the leaves have fallen off there is noting left to take sunlight and convert it into food for the plant. At this point there is nothing you can do. The plant is dead.

Moving the plant into different temperature ranges is never god but did not by itself cause all this damage.

In the future buy plants with some buds still unopened. Be sure there is good drainage in the pot. Be careful not to over water, which means not too often. Soak the plant when you water then not again until the plant is almost dry for a Phalaenopsis. (For a Cattleya or Oncidium you would let it totally dry.) Keep the plant is a consistent environment out of drafts from heat or air conditioning.

[johnblagg]

yes it needs some air around the roots for sure.

I myself always make sure that my phals get fed regulary when they are inside "wich is fall to spring"
especially while they are making spikes and getting ready to bloom.