Question
We received a beautiful orchid arrangement as a housewarming gift.  If is about 18 inches tall, 6 stalks.  purple and white flowers.  It was doing great for a few weeks but is now losing many flowers.  What are some handling basics?  How much water should it get? sun?  room temp?  It is in a square pot about 12 inches by 12 inches, 6-8 inches deep.  One site said we should repot it and look for mushy roots.  What would you advise?  We love it and want to give it a good home - please help.  Thank you so much.

Answer
Stacey, the advice you received is correct as far as it goes.  You need to obtain a bag of orchid poting mix.  I know that Home Depot and Lowes stock orchid potting mix in their garden centers.  Better Gro  markets a phalaenopsis potting mix.  Another brand is from the Schultz company.  Once you have a bag, soak a portion while you are preparing the plant for repotting.  Remove the plant from its pot, toss the old potting mix and rinse it from the roots.  Remove any roots that are mushy before repotting.  Use a pot that has lots of drainage holes in the bottom.  I prefer plastic pots as they hold the moisture better.  After repotting, place in an east facing window if you have one and hold off watering for a week, then water weekly.  Water only in the morning and feed every other week.