Question
HI
I just bought a Phalaenopsis, but I heard they were hard to take care of. What are the importants things i should know to take care of it so it wont die. Also I just bought it bout the soil is at the bottom and on the top it looks very striningy and and wood like chips, and its not moist its dry. Is that normal or do i need to re-pot it?

Answer
Jenn, orchids do take a special potting mix which often contains fir bark and other ingredients to allow air to get to the roots yet prevents it from completely drying out.  When the plant has finished flowering you need to repot it in fresh orchid potting mix.  Repotting should be undertaken after each flowering. Locate a source of orchid potting mix (Lowes and Home Depot garden centers usually have it under the brand name Better Gro or Schultz.  There may be other marketers so be sure it says orchid potting mix.  When you are ready to repot, remove the plant from its pot, discard the old potting mix and rinse off the orchid roots. Root care is key to successful phalaenopsis growing.  Healthy roots are firm and turn green when wet. Unhealthy roots are usually roots that have collapsed and are mushy.  The latter should be removed before repotting. Soak the fresh potting mix in room temperature water whil;e you are unpotting your plant. Use a plastic pot with lots of air/drainage holes in the bottom for repotting.  Insert the roots into the new pot, rotating the pot while doing so.  When the roots are fully into the pot, add potting mix, tapping the sides of the pot while doing so to help distribute the fresh mix amongst the roots.

If you have an east facing window, that is the best place to grow the plant.  Water and feed weakly once per week  (weekly-weakly).  Use about 1/4 tsp of plant food per gallon of water.  Do not let the pot stand in water but have it where the water can drain out completely between watering.  That should give you a start on your new adventure.