Orchids

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Comment by GydaMarie Haynes, Spokane, WA Z5 19 hours ago

Lisa...I've heard of it, but I don't think that's the correct way to water just about any plant...especially an orchid. I put my Phals in a tray of water, let them soak it up, then let them drain well...always water in the morning too. You don't want water on their leaves overnight when it gets cooler...they can start to rot. Don't let the Phal get completely dry...it would be a good idea to purchase a moisture meter. Good luck to your Mom. I've only had orchids a few months, but I've been doing a lot of reading and online research...that's why I'm in this group too...to learn all I can.

Comment by Lisa Dent 1 day ago

My mother just bought a Phalimopsis Orchid, and the watering directions say to laythree ice cubs on the roots every couple of weeks. Has any ever watered this way? thanks

Comment by GydaMarie Haynes, Spokane, WA Z5 on March 7, 2010 at 1:31pm

I can't find a good answer online, so maybe one of you knows. My Paphiopedilim "Lady Slipper" dropped its flower this morning...it was shriveling up, so I knew it was going to go. My question is...do I cut the stem or not? The stem is green and healthy looking...if anyone out there knows...I'd appreciate your help. Thanks!

Comment by GydaMarie Haynes, Spokane, WA Z5 on March 1, 2010 at 4:10pm

Hi d'marie...I am also new to orchids...just into it for the past few months. There is sooooooo much to learn, and I'm finding out each type of orchid requires very different care. I can't give you an expert advice, but I would suggest you find a local orchid society...you can do that online...I plan on joining the one here in Spokane. Also, there are a lot of great sites and excellent books to help educate yourself. One more suggestion...see if there are any shops in your area who specialize in orchids. You can take your plants to them, and they can help you identify what you have and show you how to pot them. Some of my orchids are in moss, some in bark, and I have two that are attached to wood and live in one of my terrariums. Where I live, I couldn't put my orchids outdoors...it gets way too hot and dry in the summer, but you may have luck down there in Florida. I lived there quite a few years ago and was able to grow huge ferns and avacado trees outdoors...my mailman used to joke that the ferns were "man-eating" and I'd hung them on the front porch so he couldn't deliver any bills. One more thing, if you and husband are handy, you can build an orchidarium rather inexpensively...there are lots of ideas online for building them. Good luck, and when you can, I'd love to see some pictures.

Comment by d'marie on February 27, 2010 at 11:38am

Hello all! I am new to both the list and orchids. Plants and gardening, in general, are old familiar friends that i have loved to keep company with since i was very young. I have always had gardens with plants of various genres including herbs, bulbous plants, (tulips, glads, hyacinth, etc.), flowering, succulents, butterfly/bee & moon gardens, roses, and just about anything that will grow.

Orchids, however, have always been the one plant that i never really devoted any time for. I was more a 'wild nature' gardener, and orchids always seemed too prim and proper. They were out of my league, so to speak. I just never thought i could grow these absolutely splendid plants, (& it remains to be seen if i will as yet be successful!! LOL!). However, my eldest son got his first and that was it. He was hooked. Now, he is a VERY gifted young man, and when he sets his sights on something, he is a sponge that has to learn EVERYTHING possible about whatever it is that interests him. He and his partner now have, at last count, nearing 100 BEAUTIFUL plants. He can name everyone, and every one is beautiful. He lives on the other side of the country as me, (i am in north Florida, and he is in California), so on my husband's and my recent visit, i came home with 2 babies from 2 of his plants. As i don't want to kill them, i thought that i should probably hook up with some knowledgeable folks and see what i can learn so i can take care of these two and 4 others i have, (and yes, i am trying to get him over here too!).

Now i don't know all the scientific names, (YET!!), so i can't tell you what they would be called other than the names given for amateurs like myself. So, i have a 'Dragon Tears', (which had two very long stalks that were teeming with beautiful little flowers that have all gone now, as well as one of the stalks, however one stalk still remains green and long), a 'Dark Star', (which also had blooms, but have dropped the flowers, and now is struggling, but still hanging in there, with new growth popping up, and a wee little one with tiny whitish blooms, with an amazing scent. This one has also dropped its blooms, and it is now two wee shoots, both green, but only one with two little leaves. These three i have had since late October. For these i would like to know what conditions they need to be potted? They are all in the moss, with the 'Dragon Tears' & little guy are in a wooden, hanging orchid basket, though they aren't hanging. The 'Dark Star' is in a clay pot. My son has all his orchids repotted into plastic pots using bark as a potting medium in place of the moss. I have two newer orchids which are doing great, they are still blooming, with new growth. They are in the original moss and plastic pots they came in. One is a 'Harlequin' and i don't know the name of the other but it has gorgeous buttery yellow blooms. The 2 babies that i brought home from California are strong and healthy and sitting in their traveling medium, which my son prepared them for the trip. He wrapped their roots in moss that had been soaked in water. Then wrapped them in Saran Wrap, and put them in baggies. I didn't want to pot them until i knew how to do it correctly and since they are doing fine have left them.

I also see that some of you leave yours outside during warmer months, and this may be a silly question, but what are the rules/care instructions for doing this? I do have a little 'nook' right before you come in the front door where i keep several plants year round, so i could put them there, but want to know how to care for them while outside so i don't lose them.

I will post pictures in a bit, but would appreciate any advice. Thanks and i am sorry this is so long. All the orchids i have seen here are gorgeous. I wish i could get an orchidarium, but it's not possible at the moment.

Thank you for having me, and i hope to learn much here!!!

Comment by Carolyn S. Bolton on February 26, 2010 at 7:12pm

Success! Finally got a pix of me with my grandson. Had to change the file extension. Just wouldn't take the .jpg

Comment by GydaMarie Haynes, Spokane, WA Z5 on February 26, 2010 at 4:39pm

That is so cool! That mut have been a fun trip!

Comment by Carolyn S. Bolton on February 26, 2010 at 3:57pm

It is one of the Lorey's at Busch Gardens in florida. I went there with my sister a few years ago.

Comment by GydaMarie Haynes, Spokane, WA Z5 on February 26, 2010 at 2:52pm

Well...now, I don't know how to do that...more for us both to research. Who is that beautiful red bird on your shoulder? Wow...gorgeous!

Comment by Carolyn S. Bolton on February 26, 2010 at 2:06pm

YOur orchids look lovely..btw

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