Question

krfigg at gmail.com   Hello,

My sister just sent the orchid attached, it is from FTD.

I've always loved orchids but have no idea how to care for them.  I know there are endless species, do you have an idea for what it is? A quick image search makes me think it might be a Phalaenopsis Alysha's Dots 'Rosemarie'  thoughts?

As it is now the roots are all tightly growing in a thin pliable plastic pot.  Should I get the spacial moss, rocks..?

We are just outside of Philadelphia and have fantastic south facing sun all day.  We also have central air. Is it okay to keep the plant in a warm, non direct sun place during the day and night and bring it into the bathroom for a bit of steam/humidity in the mornings?

Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hello Kacey.  As to the name of the phalaenopsis, I could only guess and would probabky be wrong. I wish that the mass marketers of these plants would keep the nametags. They don't realize, or don't care, that a name can tell the grower a lot about the plant.  There are many phalaenopsis hybrids that look very much alike so finding a picture of one that looks like yours is not any assurance about its name.  What is just as bad is that phalaenopsis orchids with the same hybrid name vary greatly in color.  Some favor one parent and others, the other parent, and many are in between.

Yes. phals like indirect light and prefer morning sunshine.  Otherwise, try to avoid heat and direct sunshine.  They like temperatures between 60-80 degrees. You should grow it so leaves are slightly yellow, as opposed to deep green. The lighter color shows that the plant is getting sufficient light so it may bloom again.  Speaking of blooming aagain, your phal may be the type that retains its old green bloom spike from which it may reflower. When the buds and blooms are done, you may cut the old flower spike just above the second or third node (joint) in the old flower spike.  It may send out a side branch from the node just below you cut.

I like the clear plastic pots for phals because you can see how well the pot-bound roots are doing.  Also, unlike other houseplants, orchid roots contain chlorophyll and can benefit from some light. Any roots which look "mushy" are dead or dying and need to be removed as part of repotting. Normally, repotting is done after each flowering.  However, if the plant is healthy and the roots are fine, you may postpone that.  I do not prefer to grow phalaenopsis in moss as the potting mix can be more difficult to manage.  Let me know when you would like to repot and I would be happy to walk you through the process I use.