first repotting, teacup phal

[Veksa]

Another 2 cents, if I understand correctly those plastic pots with feet are "inner" pots, that should go into another bigger cache pot, they might be unstable on their own. They ususally a part of a set like this Robot Check

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Veksa

Another 2 cents, if I understand correctly those plastic pots with feet are "inner" pots, that should go into another bigger cache pot, they might be unstable on their own. They ususally a part of a set like this Robot Check

Hi Veksa,

Yes, and would have ordered that way but couldn't find in 4". if 5.5" is ok, then i'll get that. rather than find an external holder "pot" later.
? edit: i see the inside pot in that link is 4"! ok! i'll get that!

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

Whoa, I looked at your pictures, and you weren't kidding about putting that plant up inside the lamp! Maybe it's just me, but I have to say that does not seem like a good idea ........

Why not get a regular plant light? They come in decorative models, either table top or floor, and can be budget-friendly. You may or may not need supplemental lighting at all, depending on what kind of natural light it's getting. And while it's true that Phals are considered more on the low-light side, I found that mine started blooming like crazy when I purchased a couple plant lights to supplement the window light. This time of year, I leave the lights on 12 hours a day, and that's during the day, while they're also getting whatever natural light comes in the window from sunup to sundown.

Also, in reading one of your previous threads, I was reminded that you said you watered one ounce once a week. Going from what it's potted in now to the open, airy repotme mix mentioned will definitely require more water than that, a lot more.

Finally, I just want to say that we all have somewhat different preferences and growing techniques. Dolly posted above that she likes the Monterey Gold mix, and I had posted that I would prefer the Monterey Dark. She likes clay pots and I prefer clear plastic. It's not a matter of one of us being wrong and one being right. We are both growing orchids successfully, so it just goes to show that different methods will work for different people. No two of us have exactly the same conditions in our homes, and over time, each of us develops personal preferences, but that doesn't mean our way is the only way.

You sound like someone who is likely to become a serious orchid grower over time, and I'm sure you'll develop your own preferred methods.

Thank you Mountaineer370.
That bulb is the highest lumens for its type that i could find nearby. it gives off no heat and plant is under the lower covered/coated half if the bulb. I put thick white paper over the top to try to keep some light inside. the leaves of the orchid are even farther away.
I would LOVE to just have it stay one place looking beautiful, but i do think it likes this routine and the extra hours. indeed, i think it would not have done very well at all without it.
I DO want to know, but was afraid to destroy or damage it finding out.

and, yes, I'd prefer to have weekly type watering needs. but, we'll see. Perhaps i will mix in some of that other Gold Mix.
btw, it was 1 ounce once a week then dump out after 30 minutes any drainoff.
but since the bonus blooming i did fully water (drenched a few times) once and draining it really well. today i did the 1 ounce -- half of which runs through and gets dumped.
i'm hoping the remaining 10 of the 20 buds will bloom. so, i wish it exactly what i think it needs.
so far so good!

ok, time for the lamp!

I really appreciate you all!

[Dollythehun]

Thank you, Tedro. Cheri, I thought I saw the plant was to the sideof the lamp. Whew! You are correct, we all develop our own method, and that's the rythmn we should strive for.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Thank you, Tedro. Cheri, I thought I saw the plant was to the sideof the lamp. Whew! You are correct, we all develop our own method, and that's the rythmn we should strive for.

i've grown plants with big powerful lights before! (ones that DO put off heat)
If get a lamp i can setup, yes, i'd switch to all day and stop the "extra" hours -- which i use not as extra, but as needed. i guess i'm saying, if i had more intense (stronger) regular hours, i'd gladly give up the moving back and forth and having it on until midnight in my living room!
my gut tells me it needs both, as things are. it also tells me the lamp might even be essential in my setting. And that it might be good even with only the lamp, if in a properly aimed (opposite direction!) and set fixture.
i *think* that too much light too low for too long can cause plants to keep trying to vegetate but ill get stretched and stringy -- bad.
sometimes i think the few trims i made, and, took off a few buds that i thought were dying (when originally bought), WRONG! i also, over the first 2 weeks removed -- just peeled right out -- a yellow lower leaf from each side.... all that... sometimes i think is how i may have spurred the "rare bonus spike" or branch... that then... think lamp?... fasciated.

all i know is WOW. i think it likes me. and its new friends... a 3.5' lucky bamboo... 1 small typical airplant... and a (4 in a pot) lovely parlor palm. why here ya go... (attached pic) sorry *have to mention the guitars.

[Dollythehun]

Tedro, is the phal up inside the lamp or to the side? There are two pictures showing two different locations. If it's up inside the lamp, it's probably too close IMHO.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Tedro, is the phal up inside the lamp or to the side? There are two pictures showing two different locations. If it's up inside the lamp, it's probably too close IMHO.

up inside! (attached)
OH! that picture where it’s off to the side is from when I first bought it and I had about a 60 W regular bulb up in there. I soon started sticking it up there (the bulb I had in there didn’t give off much heat) but I got the better BRIGHT (no heat) other one soon after doing a little reading. just a poor fixture ... i do not keep on the side anymore... either at the lanai closing glass door or from sundown to midnight (sometimes i’m late) up in the lamp (iow, under the lamp).
I don’t know if you can see this in this latest picture I’m attaching but if you can see the bulb you see the bottom of the bulb is coated the bulb is pointed up and most of the plant is far below the bulb. — I actually think that’s kind of bad I could set it up much better. But I don’t think it’s hurting it at all I mean I could be getting better use out of the bulb is what I mean. I still see the pretty plant!!!

sorry pics went sideways!

(...and cold at night with always on A/C. not all that humid indoors either.) if you see in my pics rats of bright sun coming in the DIRTY glass door... those bright rays are just before sunset, at the most 2 hrs the sun gets low enough for those to break through, but it’s not everyday and it’s over fast.

[tedro]

ok guys,
check me over! video
Shared album - Ted Rogers (ichi) - Google Photos —> video link

should i water?

[tedro]

is this in deep enough?
(attached pics)

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by tedro

is this in deep enough?
(attached pics)

Tedro - I am new to orchids too. Enjoyed your first? repotting! I also use Repot.Me orchid mix and my orchids are doing great. Here is my concern: I soak the bark mix for a couple of hours in warm water to hydrate it before repotting. You did not do this. Not sure if it is necessary, but somewhere I read that it was a good thing to do. Any comments from the experts?

[tedro]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

Tedro - I am new to orchids too. Enjoyed your first? repotting! I also use Repot.Me orchid mix and my orchids are doing great. Here is my concern: I soak the bark mix for a couple of hours in warm water to hydrate it before repotting. You did not do this. Not sure if it is necessary, but somewhere I read that it was a good thing to do. Any comments from the experts?

Thanks realoldbeachbum! I saw a video where a guy did that, too. I asked *somewhere in here! and someone said either not to or not necessary, so I didn’t.

I was a beach bum! Va. Beach!

---------- Post added at 08:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:26 PM ----------

I did water it completely a while after repotting.

90% of the roots are hidden by the media now.
I wonder how often I should water it?

Mine had two lowest leaves when I got it, one was yellow. I removed it after a few days. A few weeks later it's opposite lowest leaf turned yellow and I removed it.

Everything has been great ever since. I enjoyed the original flowers and one remained, when I got the bonus branch... 20 buds, at least 10 in bloom now.
Meanwhile, 2 smaller leaves are growing way down low (maybe they were there before? I'll check my pictures Orchid 1 - Google Photos
! one kind of in the medium (even still after my repot yesterday).
These remain small and one, both really, one started first, are yellowing (see attached pic).

I read that yellow was too much light; I also read too much water (root rot).

What's happening? What to watch for? What to do?

Since I just repotted, not sure when to water! I did not soak bark... oldbeachbum, if you're reading: soaking first might have an advantage for a beginner (me!) because, hey, I could check the bark dryness to help me know when to water during this crucial time! Idk, I'm just guessing.

seems to be a hearty little guy, I hope he makes it and flourishes!