Question
Orchid 1
Hi! I feel so silly asking some of these questions, but I am BRAND NEW at this orchid thing and would love some advice!
My fiance bought me an orchid for our anniversary and I'm not sure what kind it is. It had white blooms and was one of those "just add ice" orchids from Kroger grocery store. It directed me to add 3 ice cubes once a week to care for the orchid. I did as directed.
Now all of the blooms have fallen off, and one of the stems died (dried up and turned brown). We cut that dead stem off. The other stem is still green and it seems there is a new leaf budding up out of the pot. I have read many of your other answers given to orchid lovers and I am wondering if I need to re-pot my orchid? It came in a glass vase and I'm not sure it has any of the drainage I've read that it needs. The soil it is in looks more like bark so I'm not sure what soil to use. Also, I'm guessing the "things" growing upward out of the soil are aerial roots that I've read about on here? I'm sorry I'm so unsure. I am just completely lost when it comes to orchids. I guess I just need some beginners advice on how to care for the orchid, maybe how to revive it, how to replant it, what kind of food it needs etc. I hope this isn't asking too much and I appreciate any advice you could give! I've also included an image - though it is a little blurry - depicting the new leaf growth, the aerial roots (???), the blooms that fell off and the soil the orchid is planted in. Thanks again!
AnswerMandy, you do need to repot your plant. Use a commercial grade of orchid potting mix that contains some fir bark. Soak a portion while you are unpotting your plant. Rinse off the roots of your unpotted plant and remove any roots that are mushy or stringy. Healthy orchid roots are firm and only these healthy roots should go into the pot (including the aerial roots- yes the things growing upward are aerial roots). Repot the good roots into an empty plastic pot with lots of drainage holes. Do not put the plastic pot into a container where it might stand in water. Each time you water, you want to let the water freely drain out of the bottom of the pot. After you place the healthy roots into the empty pot, add the wet, fresh orchid potting mix slowly while tapping the side of the pot to promote its settling amongst the roots. You will need to do this in an area where the wet potting mix can drain freely out of the pot as fresh mix is added. When the excess water has drained out of the mix, set the repotted plant into your growing area and do not water for a week. Abandon the ice cube method. Use room temperature water to water your plant. You may water once per week.
From your picture, the plant looks healthy and should do well after repotting. Repot the plant after each flowering using the steps outlined above. The plant you have is called a phalaenopsis orchid, otherwise called a moth orchid. An east facing window is the best window for growing since the plant prefers morning sunshine. Temperatures of 60-85 degrees F are the best.
