Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim.

Firstly, I want to thank you in advance for making yourself available for help. It's a really neat thing to see someone share their love for what they do by helping others.

I received an arrangement for Valentine's Day 2006 consisting of two white phal plants in a (large) ceramic bowl with two English ivy plants.

Much to my amazement, the relationship with the plant contraption outlasted the relationship with the boyfriend.

I live in S. Florida and the plant(s) lives on my east-facing porch. I really didn't notice it much until it bloomed in February. And it didn't just bloom, it EXPLODED with blooms. This is amazing because I can't remember when I've neglected a living thing more.

I think the orchids had been trying to tell me they were thirsty all year--their leaves were light green with a yellow tinge and almost always had an inch-or-so-long split on the ends. Each orchid plant seems to keep a maximum of 2 green leaves at a time, replacing them every several weeks. I assume this is normal, and that it just looks funny because I never removed the dead leaves.

I did water occasionally--I aimed for once per week, but sometimes fell short. It's very humid down here in Florida, but it's also incredibly hot during the day. I'm getting a little better now and sometimes I manage two small waterings per week. I let the tap water sit out on the counter for a few days to get some of the chlorine out. (I am tempted to start using distilled water like I do for the fern at work--our city water is really junk.) The leaves are starting to look a little greener and less leathery.

Like I said, the late February/early March bloom was astonishing. That was when I started noticing and stepped up the watering regimen a little bit. I also finally clipped last year's dead brown spikes. I can't remember if they turned brown right away last year or not, so I don't know what to expect this year--They don't stay green year-round, do they?)

The first blooms finally expired toward late April and in May, another (somewhat less spectacular) bloom emerged. I noticed toward the end of May that the tips of the spikes had begun to brown and dry out, so I trimmed them even though there were still blooms on the spikes. I was trying to be optimistic--a third bloom isn't unheard of, right?

As of now, there aren't anymore buds left on the spikes, and the blooms are still looking good. (Can't say the ivy is looking as great, but god bless it, it's hanging in.)

So what next? What would I do now that I'm ready to change my ways? When should I fertilize? (I didn't miss the boat on this part, did I?) And what should I use? Do I absolutely have to repot--the truth is that I'm afraid I'll kill something and this year's great bloom really reinforced last year's neglect! Do I have to worry that the spectacular blooms have over-taxed the plant and it's going to take a nose-dive any day now?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

--S.O.

ANSWER: Hello S.O.,

Wow, thanks for all the information, it helps me with offering you some advice on what to do.  

To begin, I believe the fact the phalaenopsis were in the ceramic bowl was beneficial since you admittedly were not watering it very often.  Any excess water probably stayed in the bowl and kept the potting media moist.  I would suggest you remove them from the bowl, I believe they are in pots within the bowl with filler material or potting soil for the ivy.  If kept within the bowl and increasing the watering interval, you will soon have soaking wet phals which can cause the roots to rot.  Also, you said they only have two leaves with the older leaves dying, this could be an indication that some of the roots have already rotted.  

Once you have removed the pots, set them on a plastic tray on the east-facing porch in bright but indirect sunlight.  Living in S. Florida, humidity is probably not a problem along with temperatures remaining above 60F.  When temperatures are above 75F, you may have to water twice a week once you've taken the pots out of the bowl.  

Yes, it would be a good idea to feed it some fertilizer, especially spring through mid fall when it should be actively growing.  Look for a balance type fertilizer that is recommended for orchids at your local garden center.  Phalaenopsis do not require lots of fertilizer so use about half the amount suggested on the container.  

It may be close to needing repotting.  How long it has been in the same potting media is unknown, but it has at least been two years.  Try smelling the potting media to see if there is a sour odor present, if it smells sour that would indicate the media has broken down and should be replaced.  When you go to the garden center to get the fertilizer, get a small bag of orchid bark.  If you would like some directions on how to repot it, write back when you have the potting materials and I'll give you some tips on how to do it.  

Sorry (or are you glad?) to hear your boyfriend didn't last as long as your phal.  (grin)  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your response. It took me a little while to get to the store, but now I have potting mix (bark plus a special phal mix--looked good to me but could be a bust...I can go back and exchange it if you think I should just stick to plain bark...) and some cedar baskets, as well as some fertilizer. I also bought two packages each containing two medieval-looking clips. Are the clips necessary? They scare me.

One small problem--my plants still have blossoms on their spikes. How long should I wait to repot? Now that I'm a little better-educated, it's tough to see the bottom leaves getting all discolored and dying. Can I start (modestly) fertilizing even though there are still flowers?

Answer
Hi again S.,

I'm not sure about the cedar baskets with the orchid mix you bought unless there are few if any open spaces on it.  Any large openings might allow the mix to come out over time.  Are the medieval-looking clips for the purpose of holding the plants upright or to hold the flower spikes?  I've never used clips on any of my orchids, using string or plastic garden ties to hold a plant in place until it can stand up on its own.  Haha, I'm also known for being a cheapskate.  (LOL)  

Once the flowers have all died off would be a good time to repot.  You can fertilize it now but mix it at 1/4 the suggested amount.  With just two phalaenopsis, I would use a level teaspoon of fertilizer mixed in a quart of lukewarm water to water and feed them.  Try to water in the morning and also not get any water on the leaves.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.