Recommend Orchids
 

:hello

Hi I am new here.

What's a good orchid for NYC area with a south west facing window. It will probably get 3-4 hours of direct afternoon sun light. I got a phalaenopsis, but it's not doing well in a shaded south west facing window. I don't know what's wrong.

Welcome to the board! First, if your Phal is not doing well (don't know exactly what you mean by that) in a SW window, then light is probably not the answer. I grow mine in a south-facing window under full sun with no problems. As for SW-facing window, I would suggest Paphs (both strap-leaved green ones and mottled leaf ones), most Phals, many of the Epidendrums, even Brassavolas. Depends on whether you have screens or not and curtains or not. Stay away from full-sun orchids like Laelias and Cats, Vandas, etc.

Thanks for your answer.

My phalaenopsis' leaves are getting soft and the bottom leaf is wrinkled. Do you keep your phalaenopsis shaded or in full sun? and what's your watering regiment?

Hi! I'm in Brooklyn. It sounds to me like the leaf situation is probably due to the state of the plant's roots – and this may have something to do with your watering. It sounds like the leaves are not getting enough water to them, and this could be due to either underwatering OR overwatering.

If your plant is in a clear plastic pot, you should be able to see the roots. You only want to water once the mix has dried out and you see those roots go back to silver/gray/brown. If they are green, they are still actively taking in water and you don't want to give them more water.

If you can't see through the pot to look at the roots, another method to determine whether or not the potting medium is dry is the "skewer method":
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...er-method.html

Hope this helps!

Also, you need to realize Phals drop the bottom leaves as they grow new ones on the top. It's only when the top leaves wilt or shrivel that we normally get excited or upset. What Yvan says could be a situation for newcomers. I tend to like clear pots for this reason. I can monitor the roots.

I just ordered ray's semi-hydroponic starter kit. It comes with a clear pot, so as soon as I receive the kit I will be transplanting my phal.

I have changed the medium a week ago with bark, and I didn't know I had to soak them before hands. So my phal is currently in unsoaked bark. :-( I think my problem could be underwatering.

Is there anything that I can do before I receive my semi-hydroponic kit? Or is there anything that I can do to minimize the stress of transferring to semi-hydroponic?

I just did the skewer method and it's seems to be pretty dry and I just watered it yesterday and mist it today.

Forget misting.

Water the plant very thoroughly - running tepid tap water through it (I use the sprayer to get complete coverage) for at least 10 minutes. Wait 15-30 minutes and repeat.

I have several S/H Kits ordered for shipment Tuesday - are you the one shipping to a company related to publishing? I want to switch you over from the well water to pure water fertilizer - NYC has some really pure water, and the fertilizer pH will be too acidic otherwise.

I am the one that lives in Brooklyn NY, not a company thought. I did pick well water, can you switch to pure water for me then? I will send u a e-mail in case you can't see this reply.

Try a small Oncidium too! Mine grow fine in a south and west window in winter. I'm about 65 miles north of you.