Question
Jim,

Thank you very much for your quick response.  There are four leaves, which are quite ovaloid, probably about 2" or 3" wide and 4" to 5" long.  They are fairly smooth, with a central spine down the center.  The flowers are (were) a light puple, with 2 rounder shaped leaves and 3 smaller, more pointed shaped leaves.  There were four of those, all growing off one central stem.  The flowers were about 3" in diameter.

I live in Connecticut.  Can send pics if it helps.  Thank you so much!

Steve
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Followup To

Question -
Jim,

I recently purchased an orchid for my wife on Mother's Day and am now (too belatedly perhaps!)trying to figure out how to care for it.  I was surfing around the web for ideas, and became quickly overwhelmed.  Unfortunately, I don't know what type it is, and the flowers have now dried and fallen.  What would you say the best way to identify it would be?  I have one remaining purple flower, but it's dried and more than a bit shriveled.  There are so many pictures (on the web) that all look quite similar, I don't ever know that I'd find the right one.  Thanks for your help.  Steve

Answer -
Hi Steve,

You've got quite a mystery there! (grin) Unfortunately, I cannot help identify it at this time without more information; such as what the leaves look like (shape, size, length), bulb or no bulb at the base of the leaves, what the flowers look like and the spike or stem they grew on, where and how the spike grew from the orchid plant, etc. With more information about the orchid, I might be able to take an educated guess as to what type of orchid it is.

With all that said, my suggestion for the time being is to be careful with watering. Water it only when the potting media becomes barely moist as more orchids are killed by overwatering than by underwatering.

Yes, it can be confusing and quite daunting in trying to identify an orchid with scant information. In case you're wondering, there are over 30,000 different orchid species and well over 100,000 hybrids.

If you could send me the information, I'll try to identify it for you along with some care instructions. Fair enough?  By the way, it would be helpful to know where you live so I can tailor any recommendations to your climate.

Jim Kawaasaki
San Jose, Ca.

Answer
Hi Steve,

I don't think a photo is necessary, your description of the orchid was good enough for me to make a pretty good guess.

It sounds like what you have is a phalaenopsis orchid. Phals are primarily indoor plants, especially in those Connecticut winters! (grin)  Keep it warm with temperatures between 60 to 85 F, humidity above 50%, some light air movement, water and feed as needed. That's the basics, here is a little more detail:

Around mid fall, allow the phal to experience night temperatures down in the mid 50 F's for 2-3 weeks to help initiate the bloom cycle. Humidity can be raised slightly by placing the pot on top of small pebbles in a plastic tray filled with water. Air movement is important, an occasional light breeze is very beneficial but make sure it is not too hot or too cold a breeze. Water it when the potting media becomes barely moist, this can be between 3 days in summer to upwards of 2 weeks in winter. Feed it a balance type orchid fertilizer but reduce the amount to 1/4 the amount suggested on the container as phals do not require lots of food to grow and bloom.  

Hope this helps. Good luck and good growing.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.