Please help a newbie out!

[bwehr28]

I usually determine when an orchid needs to be watered again by feeling their leaves daily (I have my orchids in aerated clay pots so it is not easy to see the roots). We a leaf loses its firm feeling and becomes a little limp and leathery, I know it is time for a bath! I usually use running water for my orchids. I set the tap to luke warm water and let it run over the roots for 5 minutes (we have well water). When it is raining, they sit outside. I alswyas dry the leaves off after. I read somewhere the leaves should not stay wet... I don't know if that's true, but that's what I do!

Also when I switched my mini orchid from moss to bark, I was having to water it every day. I put a Ziplock bag over it and now I only have to water once a week. It makes a mini green house.

[greenpassion]

Welcome to the OB Littlenewb! As you can see, you'll be getting lots of good help here. Any time you have a question pop up about your orchid (or orchids should you get more!) this board is here to help. That said, I agree with much of what I've read here. But in case I missed it, I would pot this guy in a CLEAR well vented plastic pot. Like Ray said, it's vital that orchids get ventilation at their roots. I have actually added more slots and holes to orchid pots I've purchased, and my orchids thank me for it. I can see easily when the roots are growing, (you'll see that green 'bulbous' tip on growing roots) and also when they need water. I would not be successful having them in a clay pot, and I may stand corrected, but I would wonder if allowing the leaves to show signs of thirst by becoming limp and wrinkled repeatedly could be too much stress that would eventually take it's toll?? I've been growing Phals for 7 years now and still know so little. One thing for sure is that there are many diverse ways that the members here grow their orchids

[Optimist]

Everyone has already given good advice about potting. Let those roots have more air! Your mantra needs to be water and then let dry, water and then let dry!

I live in a state here in the U.S., where central heating is not very well known. We have little heaters in the rooms we sleep in. The average low in winter is 43.8F, which in Celsius is 6.55. This is very similar to England as a whole. The heat in the house with the heaters going runs in the 60's-to 70's, or so. My orchids have never had a problem with it. You do need to water them less in the winter.