FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hey folks, I've asked for help here in the forum regarding CPs, but this time I gotta ask for help regarding my mom's phalaenopsis. I just saw it today, and it's in rough shape. I've never taken care of an orchid before, but this plant doesnt look like it used to. For this reason I got two questions:

1. What can I do, if anything, to get this plant in a better shape
2. What are some good resources for orchid care?

The nearest window is a south facing window, but it doesn't give it direct sunlight.
Temps have been rising here, and I believe my mom repotted the orchid in peat moss a couple of weeks ago

Based on your photo, the prospects are bleak at best. Personally, I'd toss it and start over. Peat moss or potting soil -- either is a death sentence waiting to happen with most orchids.

DragonsEye wrote:Based on your photo, the prospects are bleak at best. Personally, I'd toss it and start over. Peat moss or potting soil -- either is a death sentence waiting to happen with most orchids.

Thanks for the info. So what media do you recommend?

Phals can be planted in many media. A lot of them are potted in either bark chips or loosely packed sphagnum. The important thing to remember is that the roots have to be exposed to the air. In nature, the roots are bare and used to hold the plant to a tree as well as absorbing water.

evenwind wrote:Phals can be planted in many media. A lot of them are potted in either bark chips or loosely packed sphagnum. The important thing to remember is that the roots have to be exposed to the air. In nature, the roots are bare and used to hold the plant to a tree as well as absorbing water.

Right. Are there any reliable resources I can check out so I can find what other media I can use?

chomato wrote: ↑Sat Apr 11, 2020 12:22 am

evenwind wrote:Phals can be planted in many media. A lot of them are potted in either bark chips or loosely packed sphagnum. The important thing to remember is that the roots have to be exposed to the air. In nature, the roots are bare and used to hold the plant to a tree as well as absorbing water.

Right. Are there any reliable resources I can check out so I can find what other media I can use?

For media or supplies? Roberts Flower Supplies http://www.orchidmix.com/cat1.htm

You can start off here: http://www.aos.org/orchids.aspx