Help with new colorfuze blue diamond orchid

[Stephn3htx]

So I am totally new to orchid care! I was given a blue diamond colorfuze orchid as a gift in the beginning of May. It had 4 bright blue blooms and was beginning 2 new blooms. The two new ones bloomed within 2 weeks but were white. After that the blooms lasted about 3 weeks then they all drooped and fell off, with the last one (the newest) falling off today. I followed the watering instruction for watering every 7-10 days/ only when dry. And it has been kept in a spot with temps between 70-75 degrees. The roots are not soggy but appear slightly moist, with the top roots dry. Did I do something wrong because the new blooms lasted so short? What should I do now? I wasn't sure if cutting the stem back still applied if the blooms fell prematurely.

[RandomGemini]

If it's brown, cut it down. If it's green don't be mean.

Orchids don't occur in a true blue color. They come in purples, but the blue phals we see in stores are dyed. Not a problem for the plant, but the new flowers will bloom white.

Sounds like this plant is doing just fine to me! Blooms drop when you bring plants home, any change in environment can cause the buds to fail it flowers to die back.

[Stephn3htx]

Thanks! Should I repot it? It's in the tight plastic container that it came in. Should I keep watering it every 10 days or so or less/more that it's not in bloom?

[RandomGemini]

I repot larger phals when I get them home, because I like to grow them in Phalaenopsis bark. I water when the medium is dry. If you search the forum for the skewer method, this is a good way to learn when it's time to water your orchids when you're just starting. Phals like to just dry out. If you're not sure that it's dry, you can wait a day or two more, then water.

Don't change your watering routine for phals. Some orchids require a winter rest, during which time they get less water, Phals don't. They need regular water and regular fertilizer year round.

[Stephn3htx]

Great thanks so much!

[james mickelso]

Good advise but I have to disagree on one point. Phals don't necessarily go dormant in winter but do require less water during our winter months. To water them at the same frequency of summer invites root rot and leaf fungus/bacterial problems. It is cooler with less light and need less water. They also require less water when not growing.

[RandomGemini]

True, but the skewer method is still your best bet for figuring out when to water.

[Cntry]

Stephn, when the spike is completely dried is when it can be cut back. Check out some of the threads here on the board on where to cut it at. If you still not sure there are video's on YouTube that will show you the exact spot so you can see it visually also. Which helped me because I had no idea where to cut at first. We all learn with our eyes, hands on and by listening and reading. I am one that has to be hands on and watch something a few times to make sure I am doing it correctly. Enjoy and ask lots of questions as you think of them.

[Subrosa]

Phals don't come in a true blue, but there are orchids that do.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Phals don't come in a true blue, but there are orchids that do.

You realise that white was the natural color, right? They injected blue dye in the stem. I've heard the white orchids they use are very hardy plants, and good for beginners.