Question
Mr. Kawasaki:

I purchased an Orchid for my wife approximately 2 years ago. I really do not know what type it was but I was drawn to the beauty of it's flowers. It was planted in a clear glass pot with no drainage holes at the bottom. Inside the pot were pebbles at the bottom and a kind of mulch in which the Orchid was planted in. The plant has since died and I want to replace it and maybe purchase other types for our home. I am not sure if I over-water the previous plant or if it was in the wrong location (in our kitchen, near the sink and window.) or if I need to feed the plant and how often. Could you recommend a good, basic book on the care and feeding of Orchids and what type of orchid would be best in my area. I live in Davis, near Sacramento, CA. Thank you for your help.

Carl Love

Answer
Hello Carl Love,

Please, call me Jim.  

Without knowing what kind of orchid it was, it is difficult to tell you why it died.  But there are several things I can tell you from what you described about it.  First is the fact that there were no drainage holes in the pot so when you watered it, there was no where for the excess water to go.  Orchid roots love moisture but do not like to be immersed in water, this is probably why your orchid plant died, the roots were drowned.  

As for a good orchid book for beginners, I would recommend either the Sunset or Ortho books titled Orchids.  Both are pretty good and cover quite a few different orchids people can grow, many of them in the home.  I believe they cost around $15 each, not sure of the price since I bought my copies many years ago when they were $12.  (grin)  

As for type of orchid, there are quite a few choices to choose from.  Here are several you might want to consider: Phalaenopsis (indoor), Dendrobium (in/out), Paphiopedilum (in), Cymbidium (out), Potinara (in/out), Oncidium (in/out), Burrageara (in/out).  The first three are fairly easy to grow and care for, the rest may take a little more effort.  Before buying another orchid, I'd suggest buying one of the books I mentioned first, read about each type of orchid and decide on which you'd like to begin with.  If indoors, look to see if you have a place in your home that can supply what it requires: sun exposure, temperature, etc.  It is possible to create an artificial growing environment but the main things needed are light and tempreature.  

It does get pretty warm in Davis, so some of your choices may be limited due to that factor.  

Hope this has helped.  Good luck and good hunting!  (grin)

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.